Maine author Stephen King once said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” For Raymond resident Jim Long, sharing the gift of magic with his community comes naturally. The impactful donation is being received by the Hawthorne Community Association, part of author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s boyhood home.
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| Jim Long of Raymond, left, presents part of his personal book collection to Tom Ewig, president of the Hawthorne Community Association. Long's donated books will be used to further develop the Hawthorne House library. COURTESY PHOTO |
“Jim Long has downsized his library and has offered the association some rather rare and interesting first additions,” he said. “It has been one of our objectives to make the Hawthorne House library more relevant and interesting to our members and visitors.”
Ewig says that the donation will further enrich the Hawthorne House collection and is grateful that Long thought of them.
“Jim is a longtime resident of Raymond, but not yet a member of Hawthorne Community Association,” Ewig said. “He contacted me because he was looking for a steward of his beloved collection. It will inspire us to expand the Hawthorne House library and offer our books to our membership. We already have quite a good collection of both Hawthorne works, books written about him as well as other historical books so this will fit right in.”
Long reflected on the decision to initiate the donation.
“I have spent the last three days divesting my home of 50-plus years of accumulated literature in the form of hardcover books,” he said. “Like all my acquisitions, they were always gained with the hope that they would offer a meaningful and lasting value when passed on to the next generation. I am cleaning out things that I found had become important in shaping who I am and it aided me in defining that path. I am learning that a history known and shared does not hold things together quite like one that has been lived and experienced together. Most personal knowledge, understanding, and experiences are nontransferable with the same meaning or value.”
Long said that the books represent deep interests in his life including children, artistic illustrations, and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and passing it along. Titles donated include classics such as a 1909 edition of the “Prince and the Pauper “by Mark Twain, “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe, “The Story of Don Quixote” by Arvid Paulson and Clayton Edwards. Also included is a 117-year-old copy of “The Toy Shop” by Margarita Gerry, and “Franz Schubert and his Merry Friends” by Opal Wheeler and Sybil Deucher.
Of notable importance to the Hawthorne House is the donation of “Tanglewood Tales” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“It was originally published in 1913, but I acquired a 1940 edition,” he said. “This book holds a special place as I have kept and enjoyed it in my home. I am pleased to extend its presence in a proper historical environment to be enjoyed by many visitors in the future.”
Long resides nearby the Hawthorne House in Raymond.
“I have been in Raymond since 1972. Having four daughters that all went through most of their school here, I was pretty active in school and town functions for a long time,” he said. “I started collecting books many years ago after getting to know a longtime Raymond Cape resident, Ester Astor, who had an extensive library of her own. As an avid reader with an interest in history and art, I decided to start a modest collection. I was very happy that I could find such a worthy place for them.”
Long reflected on his history in the town and his memories.
“My days of belonging to organizations are mostly behind me, but am always looking to support worthy causes,” he said. “I had a painting and wallpapering company that served many clients along the cape who became friends as well. I had many lunch stops at the old country store behind the Hawthorne House.”
Long is skeptical about the direction that books are headed and remains dedicated to acquiring his reading through physical copies.
“I dread the loss of a medium that has had such a wonderful physical presence, history, and smell that provides a reality you cannot experience any other way. A book is not just a book; it’s an experience,” he said. “I must admit that I am slowly transitioning in how I think about and acquire my reading material. I still like hard copies of timeless subject matter like biographies, settled histories, books that document the evolution of things or thoughts.”
Ewig says he hopes to get busy cataloging and organizing the significant gift.
“A word of thanks to Jim, and I personally will delight in paging through this fine collection,” he said.
Long said he’s glad the books are in a good place.
“I have done my homework and know that the books I have are well preserved in a digital space for now and all the tomorrows to come,” said Long.
To learn more about the Hawthorne House, visit their website at: https://hawthorneassoc.com/ <
