Manchester Township Library / James A. Lynch House

In 1838, one year after Michigan attained statehood, Manchester Township established its library, one of the first township libraries in Michigan. During the early years the township clerk maintained the collection. In 1900 the township decided to rent quarters for the library and to hire a librarian. It was housed in various locations including the Mahrle Building on Adrian Street. In 1934 the township purchased the former James A. Lynch House as a permanent location. James A. Lynch House Junius Short constructed this house around 1867 for his eldest daughter, Elma (1844-1928), and his son-in-law, Dr. James A. Lynch (1837-1917), a physician. Lynch shared ownership of a pharmacy with John D. Van Duyn. The wood-frame house’s cube shape, bracketed cornice and segmental and round-arched windows reflect the Italianate style, popular in the 1870s. In 1934 Manchester Township purchased the house for twelve hundred dollars from descendants of Junius Short for use as a library.