WS Chronicle

Photo by Tevin Stinson

BY TEVIN STINSON 

THE CHRONICLE

Last weekend elected officials and other community leaders unveiled a historic marker honoring a library branch that was built to serve the East Winston community more than 60 years ago.

Since the early 1950s, the Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center, formerly known as the East Winston Branch Library, has provided a place for residents to go and get resources from the African-American perspective.

During the unveiling ceremony, Carl E. Leak, a member of the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission, said the maker placed outside the branch on East Seventh Street will help residents remember history and build excitement for the future.

Leak mentioned the marker not only celebrates the library, but the people who made it possible.

The land the 5,800-square foot build-ing stands on, was donated by Dr. H.D. Malloy, Sr., his son Dr. H. Rembert Malloy, and Dr. J.C. Jordan, African-American doctors who saw the need to bring a library to the heart of the East Winston area. The branch faces Kate B. Reynolds Memorial Hospital where the doctors worked. Better known as “Katie B,” the hospital was the first publicly operated facility to treat African-Americans in the city.

“This marker not only tells a story of a building but of people as well,” said Leak.

“I stand in awe here today recognizing the importance of a library in this community and the people who made it possible.”

Council member Derwin Montgomery said when he thinks about the M/JEWHC, what stands out to him is the heritage and history it represents. He said the branch tells a story that continues to be told today.

“As we continue to move forward, this isn’t something we will look back and celebrate, but something we celebrate in the past, present and future,” he said.

Montgomery noted, although we have a lot to be grateful for and celebrate, we must look toward the future and recognize the opportunity that still exists for the library in East Winston.

“The future is embodied by the past we celebrate here today,” he continued. “We have to continue to ask ourselves what is next to ensure that this heritage lives on.”

Today, M/JEWHC has nearly 5,000 registered borrowers and offers a number of programs including the Red Stiletto Book Club, Shades of Forsyth oral history program, and story time training for pre-school educators. The branch is also home of the Children’s Outreach Department of the Library System.

Forsyth County Public Library Director Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin said over the years M/JEWHC has gone through many challenges, but thanks to the community and dedicated staff, the branch is still standing.

“This is our place, “ she continued. “This is where our history is and we need to make sure it stays here.”