LJWorld.com

Martha Cutter Kelley Smith, 100, of Vinland, waits for visitors inside the Coal Creek Library in Vinland, where she has served as librarian intermittently for almost 70 years. In August 1926, at the age of 21, Kelley became the 11th person to serve at the library, founded in 1859. She served for 18 years until 1944 when she took maternity leave. In May 1956 Martha again took on the responsibilities of the librarian where she continues to serve in that capacity, opening the building on Sunday afternoons from April to October.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Coal Creek Librarian Martha Cutter Kelley Smith is visited by her friend Ray Wilbur, Baldwin, at the library in Vinland. Martha, 100, still shows up on Sunday afternoons, April through October to staff the one-room library that was organized in 1859 in the community of Vinland.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Five of the first 10 books purchased by the Coal Creek Social Library Association that arrived in February 1860, are on display in a front cabinet in the Coal Creek Library. Book purchase number 5 was "The Life and Times of Alexander Hamilton," by Samuel M. Smucker, published in 1859.

Photo by Mike Yoder

A photo of James H. Lane, U.S. senator from Kansas, is a centerpiece of framed art and photos above a Coal Creek Library bookshelf.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Original bookshelves, chairs and tables are still at the Coal Creek Library that was established in Vinland in 1859 and moved to a building of its own in 1900. Against the back wall of the library, children's books are stacked on the floor for easier access.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Martha Cutter Kelley Smith, 100, takes her scissors to the dead blossoms on daisies at the entrance to the Coal Creek Library in Vinland. In August 1926, at the age of 21, Kelley became the 11th person to serve at the library, founded in 1859. She served for 18 years until 1944 when she took maternity leave. In May 1956, Martha again took on the responsibilities of the librarian, where she continues to serve in that capacity, opening the building on Sunday afternoons from April to October.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Organized in November 1859, the "Coal Creek Social Library Association" as it was first called, housed its collection of books in the homes of the early librarians until 1900 when this building was built. William E. Barnes, who had owned the land where the town of Vinland was situated, would have given the lot for the building if the Association had agreed to change the name to "Vinland Library Association." The proposal lost by one vote, and the lot was purchased for the sum of $10. The photo is circa 1910-1915.

This dwelling, built in 1858, and pictured here in the late 1920s about to be razed, was the first frame house erected in the vicinity of the later site of Vinland. Much of the material used was black walnut lumber. It was constructed by George Cutter for his widowed mother, Charlotte (Varnum) Cutter and his five brothers and sisters. In 1860 it became the first home of the Coal Creek Library and in 1868 it was the first location of the newly authorized Vinland Post Office.

The Coal Creek Library at Vinland, right, prior to 1910 showing its proximity to the Presbyterian Church at left. The Coal Creek Library looks much the same and the church is currently being restored.

Courtesy of Watkins Community Museum

Martha Cutter Kelley Smith, 100, makes her way into the one-room of the Coal Creek Library in Vinland, Kansas. The library was founded in 1859 and moved into this building in 1900.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Martha, the eleventh person to serve as librarian at the Coal Creek Library, took office in August 1926. Martha was a 1924 graduate of Vinland Rural High School and had spent about one year working in the Lawrence City Library. Martha was the eldest daughter of George E. and Kate S (Soule) Kelley. Martha married Cecil C. Smith of the Stony Point neighborhood, Oct. 16, 1943, and continued to serve as librarian until October 1944 when she took maternity leave.

Special to the Journal-World

At 100 years, Martha Cutter Kelley Smith doesn't get around as well as she used to. But Kelley Smith still maintains her position as a librarian at Coal Creek Library in Vinland. Kelley Smith can usually be found at the library on Sunday afternoons from April to October.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Still active at 100, Martha Cutter Kelley Smith, uses a couple of ski poles to assist her when she walks. Kelley Smith was on duty Sunday at the Coal Creek Library where she serves as the librarian.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Martha Cutter Kelley, 100, waits for visitors inside the Coal Creek Library in Vinland, where she has served as librarian intermittently for almost 70 years. In August 1926, at the age of 21, Kelley became the 11th person to serve at the library, founded in 1859. She served for 18 years until 1944 when she took maternity leave. In May 1956 Martha again took on the responsibilities of the librarian where she continues to serve in that capacity, opening the building on Sunday afternoons from April to October.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Martha Cutter Kelley Smith, 100, puts out some information brochures and books on the Vinland community on a recent Sunday afternoon at the Coal Creek Library where she serves as librarian.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Martha Cutter Kelley Smith, 100, librarian at the Coal Creek library in Vinland, thumbs through a book on the history of the library, landing on a page with a photo of her from around 1935. Martha first took the job as librarian in August 1926.

Photo by Mike Yoder