Washington, Iowa

It was Saturday, September 22. Carol Bodensteiner had invited the TMBC to come to a library event in Washington, Iowa. It's about two hours from Princeton -- and it looked like a BEAUTIFUL DAY for a road trip!! 

Hey -- I've never been to Washington, Iowa -- so I didn't need much convincing.

Unfortunately, some TMBC members were not able to go. Sandy was in London, LP broke her arm...and Sharalan had her 50th class reunion.

So, it would just be me and my cousin Linda. Otherwise known as LK...

We got up early for our second big Road Trip Adventure of the fall. (the week before the two of us took the bus trip to the Wisconsin Quilt Expo).

It was a BEAUTIFUL DAY to be driving.

Like so many other small towns in the Midwest, Washington, Iowa is laid out around a "town square"...

There's no courthouse in the middle of the Town Square -- just a lovely, well-kept City Park.

The store fronts line up on all four sides.

You can walk around the square -- or straight across to the other store fronts.

They have a new, modern bandshell. (complete with teenagers hanging out)

We were shocked to find THE WASHINGTON CITY LIBRARY is a new building -- built right on the square!!

We loved the funky art on the OUTSIDE of the building!  (those are bicycle wheels)

INSIDE the building -- everything is state-of-the-art

This hanging tin ceiling is from the previous library building.

Many cozy reading areas.

Across from our conference room -- there was a GRAND PIANO...which anybody could come in and play, anytime (more about that later)

I REALLY LOVE THIS PLACE...

You can borrow art...

And, OF COURSE -- books, books, books...

There were skylights on the second floor

A children's area

And THIS would be our conference room.

But, first -- a little history about this particular library...