Ames Free Library is excited to share Easton’s Tricentennial year with our community! 2025 is sure to be a good one - and this year, we’re coming out in the community to meet you where you are! Read more about any of the events below, where we hope to continue to be the place Where the Community Connects… at home and out on the town.
2025 is the culmination of our 300 Years, 300 Stories project! The goal of this oral history project is to collect YOUR stories about Easton. Learn more about the project, how to record, or hear other people’s stories here. If you need a little encouragement to tell your story, come to one or more of these workshops.
Easton author Lisa Braxton designed a trio of workshops focused on leaving your legacy and telling your own story. Be sure to catch this last one!
Storytelling: from the Stage to the Page: Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00 PM
This workshop offers a chance to hear other people’s stories and see how they translate from live tellings to written ones. The group will view short videos of people onstage telling a story from their life, which serves as inspiration for the class to write a short piece from their life. Class participants will have the option of telling their story using storytelling techniques discussed during the workshop.
Storytelling Luncheon: stay tuned for future dates
Periodically we are able to partner with Unity Church as they host a community luncheon. Gather with friends and neighbors to share a meal and reflect on your favorite Easton stories and memories. Staff from the Ames Free Library will be on hand to record stories for the 300 Years, 300 Stories project. Hosted by Unity Church in partnership with the Ames Free Library and Easton 300.
AFL's Tricentennial Book Club will meet bimonthly in 2025. We have partnered with popular and historic locations around Easton to experience our town with you in a different light! Our initial meetings at Shovel Town Brewery and Simpson Spring have met with huge success; join AFL librarians to discuss books at remaining notable locations:
- May 12: Sheep Pasture (NRT)
- July: TBD
- September: Hilliards
- November: Langwater Farm
Book titles have been selected to coordinate with the primary focus of each location. Each meeting will also feature a related activity or demonstration following the book discussion. Meetings and activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Book Club participants must register for each event. Space is limited at each location. Group size may vary depending on book availability and location size. Only registered patrons may attend a session. Books will be available to check out at the library’s Circulation Desk thirty days prior to the meeting.
AFL will also be in attendance at some of our town's Signature events!
Come visit us during the Art & Culture Festival on Saturday, April 26. We will host the following crafts at the Ames Free Library and Queset House:
for kids: Sparkle Trolls - drop in from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
for teens: Splatter Paint Cassettes - drop in from 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
for adults: hand-colored decoupage Vintage Photo Coasters - registration required; 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
You can also find us at the:
Flag Day Picnic, Concert, & Flag Ceremony on Saturday, June 14 at Oliver Ames High School
Block Party on Saturday, September 6 at Governor Ames Estate
Toss a round of cornhole with us, record a memory for the 300 Years, 300 Stories collection, make a craft, or just find out more about the library! Look for the AFL logo under our blue tent.
These programs and events are all presented in partnership with Easton 300 and the Tricentennial Committee.