Martha Baldwin was a dedicated daughter, teacher, and role model whose exemplary service to the community of Birmingham, Michigan led to the establishment of the Baldwin Memorial Library. Having devoted her entire life to the education of books and the progress of young women in the male-dominated society, Martha has left an undeniable legacy that continues to impact generations today. By living selflessly, passionately, and without ceasing, she rises far beyond her physical death in 1913 as one of Birmingham’s most celebrated citizens.
On Memorial Day 1913, Martha Baldwin passed away. In recognition of her exemplary service and generous contribution towards the establishment of a public library in Birmingham, the Village Board unanimously voted to name the library the “Baldwin Memorial Library” on July 8, 1913. On December 19, 1927, the Grand Hall was opened to the public and in October 1959, the Youth Department was added. Finally, in 1983, the library opened in its current form with an entrance on Merrill Street.
Martha Baldwin: A Trailblazer in Education
Martha Baldwin, born August 22, 1840, in Birmingham, Michigan, was a trailblazer in the education of books. The only child of Edwin and Aurilla Baldwin, she was raised in an environment with a strong dedication to reading and learning. Through her parents’ guidance, Martha was able to help expand the literary group’s collection from 48 books to over 120,000 today, consisting of compact discs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, magazines, educational toys, newspapers, audiobooks, electronic databases, downloadable books, magazines, audio and video, and an online catalog. Her legacy continues to impact the world and will remain celebrated for generations to come.
Martha was a dutiful and loving daughter, never marrying to pursue a teaching career. She gained recognition through her selfless work in the male-dominated society, and successfully opened her school in Lexington with 18 students. Her protégée, Charles Shain, was also later to become one of Birmingham’s most influential residents, for whom Shain Park is named in his honor. Martha’s dedication to education and her strong commitment to her causes made her an inspirational role model for many young women whose opportunities were broadened due to her efforts.
She had the ambition and passion to make a real difference in her community, and her legacy lives on today.
Martha Baldwin, affectionately known as Mattie by her friends, was a founding member of the Village Improvement Society in Birmingham. She was instrumental in the passage of the anti-spit ordinance and the maple tree planting along Maple Road, formerly known as Mill Street. Martha also worked hard to get paved sidewalks so that women’s skirts would not get dirty. Her efforts led to the installation of street lamps, the purchase of an old gravel pit and establishment of a park on the property at Maple and Southfield Road, the building and landscaping of the new train depot, and advocating for a waterworks system for the village. Furthermore, she launched personal anti-litter campaigns, driving around in her surrey and having children pick up litter and deposit it in the baskets she carried with her. Martha was also the first woman in Birmingham to hold public office, being elected to the Birmingham School Board and eventually becoming its president. She even wrote a pamphlet on “How to Form a Village Improvement Society” and was a strong advocate for Women’s Suffrage and the National Federation of Women’s Clubs. Today, the Baldwin Library continues to revere Martha for her role in the formation of public library service in Birmingham. With her tireless dedication to making her community a better place, Martha Baldwin is truly an inspiration.
In 1907, the Library Association proudly presented its generous offer of $5000 in assets, including 3200 books and pamphlets, to Birmingham to establish a public library. The two conditions were that voters would need to support a ¼ mill tax for the library, and if the village failed to properly maintain it, it would go to the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. After two elections, the library was eventually made public and Martha Baldwin was appointed to the first board; however, she lost her election when her term expired. Nevertheless, Martha Baldwin rejoined the Board and served until she died in 1913. Despite the often heated debate surrounding the millage, the election results were ultimately upheld in court.
Martha Baldwin’s determination and unwavering commitment to the cause of a public library, even in the face of opposition from many who disagreed with her beliefs on women’s suffrage, made this victory possible.
Upon her death in 1913, the Birmingham Community proudly celebrated her life with a funeral procession of two hundred school children carrying bouquets. All local businesses closed and the village board voted to rename the library after her. Miss Baldwin left $25000 in her will toward the construction of Baldwin High School, with instructions for it to have an auditorium and free public baths for both men and women, which Birmingham achieved within the ten-year time frame she specified. She also left $1000 for the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, two parcels of land to be used for parks, and 13 ½ acres of wooded ravine to the city on the condition that it be used as a park. Her burial at Greenwood Cemetery was marked by a simple granite headstone inscribed with her requested sentiment: “A monument of good work, rather than of marble”. This epitomizes Martha Baldwin’s legacy of service and dedication to her community.
Martha Baldwin was a woman of strong will and determination who fought for her beliefs despite the male criticism she often faced. Truly admirable, we celebrate Martha Baldwin’s indomitable spirit and immeasurable contributions to Birmingham and Oakland County.
If you are curious to learn more about her incredible story, you can find Women’s Work: The Story of Martha Baldwin as well as Martha Baldwin’s Diary online. Additionally, the Junior League of Birmingham, Michigan, Inc. has shared a narrative history of Birmingham, Michigan from 1966. Moreover, the Book of Birmingham by Jervis Bell McMechan and Baldwin Public Library at 75 by Patricia Scollard Painter offers further insight into the important role Martha Baldwin played in the city’s history.
