An Unexpected Hit To The Library

The initial impact was on the rear wall but the stress rippled through the structure to damage the east wall.

The 2021 4th of July in Shepherdstown started off with a low-key ceremony honoring the flag organized by the Volunteer Fire Department. It ended with a bang sometime late in the evening with an unknown vehicle crashing into the rear wall of the Market House located in the middle of King Street (the Shepherdstown Police Department continues to investigate the incident). By the time the damage was discovered on the morning of July 5, the stress from the impact had spread to the unreinforced brick of the east wall with cracks extending up to the roof. The Town, owner of the 220 year-old building, had the structure inspected and bracing installed by the evening of the 5th. The Town has also arranged for an expert restoration company to make repairs as soon as the Town’s insurance company completes its assessment of the project.

The Shepherdstown Library has called the Market House its home for nearly a century, but plans for a move were being developed well before the recent incident. On June 30, the Library board gathered in Morgan’s Grove Park to open the bids submitted for construction of the new library building to be located off of Potomac Farms Drive. The lowest responsive bid submitted by Doyle Construction proposed $3,153,000. The board expects to finalize a contract with Doyle by early August and anticipates beginning the year-long construction project in September.

The Shepherdstown Community Club is providing space in the War Memorial Building (102 East German Street) for a temporary library annex. Visit the library website (ShepLibrary.org) for current information on hours and available services. The library also has a new temporary phone number 304-268-6127 until repairs are completed on the Market House building.

By Staff Contributor