The little library at the Black firehouse

Gail Simpson and Kathryn Harris stand in front of a building at 1310 E. Adams. “This is where history and literacy come together,” Simpson says. The building, now owned by the Central Lodge #3 Prince Hall Masons, was once Firehouse No. 5 “The First Black Firehouse.” A large historical marker in the yard tells its history. Next to the marker is a newly constructed “little library,” an initiative that Simpson chose as a project in her role with the Order of the Eastern Star, part of the Masonic organization.

Simpson and Harris are united in their goal of getting books into the hands of children, like they experienced when they were children. Harris remembers the many magazines in her house – Ebony, Look, Life. Simpson tells of the weekly trips to the Newberry Library in Chicago with her mother. They both remember reading the dictionary or the encyclopedia to enhance their learning.

“I was always told that education is something that can’t be taken from you,” Simpson says. “A book can take you anywhere in the world. I want kids to get excited about reading, experience books and hear words. But many African American families don’t have access to books.”

Simpson recognizes that reading gaps create a learning problem for many children and can be set by the time a child is in third grade. She was concerned about African American children falling behind and not being able to read. “I asked myself, ‘What can I do?,’ and that led to the little library where the books are free. People can take a book and while here, also read about the history of the firehouse.” Already, Simpson and Harris have seen children and adults stop to browse through the books in the little library and pause to read more about the firehouse.

The Firehouse was built in 1902-1903, a needed addition to the area east of 10th Street to deal with fires in the area. It was the only firehouse where black firemen were allowed to serve. The historical marker reads: “It was the first firehouse to answer the alarm to extinguish the homes and businesses of black citizens that were torched by angry white mobs during the 1908 Race Riot.”

The Firehouse is now owned by the Central Lodge #3 Prince Hall Masons. Ken Page, a member of the Lodge, joins Simpson and Harris at the site and shares some of the history. The firehouse operation moved to 1723 E. Clay Street in 1954, and in the 1970s, the firehouse building was purchased by the Masonic Lodge. Today, efforts are underway to raise money to restore the building. The ceiling, a trap door that once had a brass pole for the firemen to slide down, and some of the walls are original to the building. “We plan to restore the façade and turn part of the inside into a museum,” Page says. “We have acquired artifacts such as logbooks from the 1920s and 1930s as well as pictures and books that help tell the history.”

Central Lodge #3 Prince Hall Masons is the oldest and longest continuously operating African American fraternal organization in Springfield, established in 1867. Prince Hall was an abolitionist who came from England as a free man. He wanted to make sure black children were educated.

So, it is fitting that the lodge now has added a little library to carry on the goal of educating African American children – and all children. “I want to impress upon the community how important it is for children to experience reading,” Simpson says. “And for the Springfield community at large to know this building exists. When many told me they knew nothing about this building and its history, I knew this was the best place for a little library.” Simpson hopes people will stop, take a book, and linger to read the historical marker.

“Access to books in our community is the key, “Simpson adds. “This is one place where there is the opportunity to experience history and increase literacy – put down the tablets and phones and go somewhere in a book.”

Cinda Ackerman Klickna has written about little libraries that are located throughout Springfield. As a former English teacher, she recognizes the importance of reading and has written a book, Out of the Beaks of Birds: Our Crazy, Pesky…Verbs to help children hear correct language. She donated two of her books to the little library.

This article appears in Revitalizing Robin Roberts Stadium.