Celebrate Darien Library’s 1894 Day With Steel Drum Band and Visit from Shake Shack

On Wednesday, Darien Library Asked for $130,000. On Thursday, It Said It Raised It

Darien Library Celebrates 130th Anniversary Wednesday, May 22, Hopes to Raise $130K

Darien Library’s ‘1894 Day’ Free Celebration (and Fundraiser) Coming This Wednesday, May 26

1894 Day

By David Gurliacci | May 21, 2025

1894 Day

By DARIENITE.COM | May 23, 2024

1894 Day

By DARIENITE.COM | May 18, 2024

Darien Library

By DARIENITE.COM | May 23, 2021

Darien Library invites you to the library courtyard from 3 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, for a festive afternoon featuring live music by the Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band, crafts for all ages, and a visit from Shake Shack. — an announcement from Darien Library

Darien Library’s 1894 Day celebrates of the library’s 131st anniversary. This year the library hopes to raise $131,000, just on this day. Why Your Support Matters
For over a century, Darien Library has been the heart of our town — fostering learning, creativity, and connection for people of all ages. 1894 Day is a cornerstone of the library’s annual fundraising efforts, and your support is essential in helping us reach our yearly goal.

Darien Library announced that it was asking the community for $130,000 on May 22, the anniversary of the 130-year-old institution’s founding in 1894. Today it announced that the money was raised. Here’s the library’s announcement:

From all of us at Darien Library, thank you to those who generously supported 1894 Day on May 22. With your help, we surpassed our goal for the day, and raised over $130,000 in honor of the Library’s 130th Anniversary. All gifts to 1894 Day, as with all gifts to our Annual Fund, will be dedicated directly to library resources, including all of the books, audiobooks, e-Books, computers, technology, research databases, and the Library’s impressive range of cultural and entertainment programs for children, teens, and adults.

Darien Library is celebrating its 130th anniversary Wednesday, May 22, with the organization’s sixth annual Day of Giving: 1894 Day, which it calls a “critical source of funding” for one of the town’s oldest institutions. — an announcement from Darien Library

In the Courtyard from 3 to 5 p.m., the library will have for crafts for children, music by Caribbean Vibe steel drum band, and an ice cream truck. “In honor of our 130th Anniversary, we aim to raise $130,000 in one day,” the library said in an announcement. You can donate online. “This Giving Day has replaced our traditional Spring Gala,” the announcement said.

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Darien Library celebrates its “1894 Day” this Wednesday, May 26, with an ice cream truck, a special craft station, a guest book you can sign that will go into Darien’s time capsule — and a request for donations. Every donor gets an “exclusive giveaway,” the library says — and that’s in addition to what the library does for free, year-round. “Our goal is to raise $127,000 in 24 hours from our incredibly generous Friends and community members who continue to enjoy the programs, services, and collections of our library each and every day, even from home during these unprecedented times,” the library says in an announcement. You can stop by the library courtyard from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to participate, or donate online any time that day. Each donor who participates in 1894 Day will receive a special gift at the following suggested contribution levels:

$12.70: A Darien Library car magnet
$127: A Darien Library water bottle
$1,270: A custom Weatherman Darien Library umbrella
$12,700: All of these items plus extra Darien Library swag!