© 2025 WGCU News
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library celebrates 50 year mark

WGCU | By Bryant Monteilh,
Amanda Whittamore
Published June 4, 2024 at 6:09 AM EDT
Nature Ridley, 2, laughs while at story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Fort Myers.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore
/
WGCU
Nature Ridley, 2, laughs while at story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Fort Myers.

A library can provide more than just books. It often proves to be a wonderland of adventure, learning and exploring across all ages.

One such place — The Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library on Blount Street in Dunbar — recently celebrated it's 50th anniversary.

Janice Cass is the president of Friends of Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library Inc.

"There’s a little sign outside this library right now that says that the library is the beginning of an adventure. And it is, because it’s a world of books and a world of new material, places you’ve never been and things you haven’t seen," Cass said.

Dunbar Library celebrates 50 years

During the days of segregation and the years following, the need and vision to have a library in the Dunbar community was clear.

“There was no library out here for our children. They had to go all the way downtown," Forestene Ward said. She was part of the original team of women living in the Dunbar area who made it a mission to bring a library to the community.

“And we saw a need ... our children needed a library so they could go to it and be comfortable getting out their homework," Ward said.

Mary Rice was the visionary to bring a library to the Dunbar neighborhood. She’s described as a dedicated educator who loved books and loved sharing with children her passion for learning.

“Oh, she was a sweetheart. It wasn’t nothing for us to walk in there and see her sitting, two kids sitting out here on the floor, two kids sitting beside her and she reading to them. This is the kind of woman she was. She was a great woman," Ward said.

The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School.
1 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 014.jpg
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
Emma Castaneda watches as her daughter Olivia, 3, plays with bubbles during story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Fort Myers.
2 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 015.jpg
Emma Castaneda watches as her daughter Olivia, 3, plays with bubbles during story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Fort Myers.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
Elizabeth Melgar, a youth services associate at Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers works with the children during story time at the library on Friday, May 17, 2024.
3 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 016.jpg
Elizabeth Melgar, a youth services associate at Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers works with the children during story time at the library on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
Jerry Ridley, 4, blows bubbles during story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers on Friday, May 17, 2024.
4 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 017.jpg
Jerry Ridley, 4, blows bubbles during story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School.
5 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 010.jpg
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
Forestene Ward has lived in Fort Myers since 1950. She is one of the women who brought a library to the Dunbar Community. She wanted a safe, comfortable place for children in the community to read and do their homework.
6 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 013.jpg
Forestene Ward has lived in Fort Myers since 1950. She is one of the women who brought a library to the Dunbar Community. She wanted a safe, comfortable place for children in the community to read and do their homework.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School.
7 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 011.jpg
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
8 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 012.jpg
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
9 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 007.jpg
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School. It has a large area with children’s books.
10 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 008.jpg
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School. It has a large area with children’s books.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
11 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 005.jpg
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
12 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 006.jpg
The Mary L. Rice African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The original building for the Dunbar-Hammon Public Library, which opened in 1974.
13 of 18  — DB library Photo.jpg
The original building for the Dunbar-Hammon Public Library, which opened in 1974.
Lee County Library System
A portrait of Mary Rice, painted by her husband, hangs in the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers. Rice was a member of the committee that brought the library to Dunbar, and many of the books in her collection were used to start the library.
14 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 002.jpg
A portrait of Mary Rice, painted by her husband, hangs in the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers. Rice was a member of the committee that brought the library to Dunbar, and many of the books in her collection were used to start the library.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers was named for Mary Rice. Rice was a member of the committee that brought the library to Dunbar, and many of the books in her collection were used to start the library.
15 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 003.jpg
The African American Collection at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers was named for Mary Rice. Rice was a member of the committee that brought the library to Dunbar, and many of the books in her collection were used to start the library.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School. It has a large area with children’s books.
16 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 004.jpg
The Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library in Fort Myers is housed in the building that used to be the gym of the Dunbar Community School. It has a large area with children’s books.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
Forestene Ward has lived in Fort Myers since 1950. She is one of the women who brought a library to the Dunbar Community. She wanted a safe, comfortable place for children in the community to read and do their homework.
17 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 001.jpg
Forestene Ward has lived in Fort Myers since 1950. She is one of the women who brought a library to the Dunbar Community. She wanted a safe, comfortable place for children in the community to read and do their homework.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU
Nature Ridley, 2, laughs while at story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Fort Myers.
18 of 18  — 051524 aiw dunbar library 018.jpg
Nature Ridley, 2, laughs while at story time at the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Fort Myers.
Amanda Inscore Whittamore / WGCU

The Dunbar library originally opened in 1974 with a modest collection of 500 books, mostly from the collection of Mary Rice. In 1996 the library’s collection grew to over 22,000 items and moved to a larger and current location — the former gymnasium of the original Dunbar High School.

Cass shares about what the next 50 years might look like for the library.

“The next 50 years is going to be a larger building. That’s going to have a separate areas for young kids and teens. So they can be as loud as they need to be to enjoy themselves while they’re learning. Have a variety of materials available. Who knows in 50 years what kind of materials will be available then," Cass said.

No matter the material of those books, the light and love of learning continues to illuminate the way for all those want to explore.

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.
Tags
Cultural Affairs WGCU NewsDunbarLibraries
Bryant Monteilh
See stories by Bryant Monteilh
Amanda Whittamore
See stories by Amanda Whittamore
Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU
  • FILE - Supporters of the LGBT wave their flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Cour, Oct. 8, 2019, in Washington.
    Government & Politics
    Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide
    The Associated Press
    The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The justices on Monday turned away an appeal from a former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling. Clerk Kim Davis had been trying to get the justices to overturn a lower-court order that she pay $360,000 in damages and attorney's fees. Justice Clarence Thomas has urged his colleagues to overturn the Supreme Court's marriage decision, much as they did in 2022 when the high court overturned the right to abortion.
  • Weather
    Florida's arctic blast is on the way; here's your mid-autumn forecast
    Irene Sans
    Temperatures will be about 20 degrees below average for this time of year, and the wind will make it feel even colder! How long will it last?
  • Environment
    Gray Catbirds – “Skulkers” and Hunters in Dense Vegetation
    Dr. Jerry Jackson
    Gray Catbirds are in a bird family known as the “Mimidae” – because they mimic other birds, other animals, and even mechanical sounds. Other members of their family in Florida include the Brown Thrasher and the Northern Mockingbird – two excellent mimics that we often see and hear year-round as they feed, sing, and nest in relatively open vegetation. They often mimic the vocalizations of other bird species and it has been suggested that their mimicry may send the message that the area is crowded – and cause other birds to search for food elsewhere.