[1][3] In 1878, the pastor of the Congregational church of South Dartmouth - Reverend Salter F Calhoun - formed a group with the aim of creating a public library.

[1] The original collection was located at the home of Edward Manchester, but as it progressed in size it was moved to Potter's Store at the corner of Elm and Bridge Streets in Dartmouth.

The rent at the penultimate building - $24 - was paid for by Dr. Andrew B. Cushman, in return for use of the library as an office.

[1][3] The building was designed by architect R. H. Slack, who fashioned the building with a reference room in the shape of a half circle, an additional room with the fiction collection, and a downstairs section for children's literature.

[1] During the Great Depression the library worked as an assembly place for unemployed boys.

[1] The Dartmouth Cultural Center - which is housed at the library - hosts various events in the local community, mostly regarding art and youth activities.

[11][12][13][14][15] The journey of the Dartmouth Cultural Center began as a community-based effort to save and preserve the Old Southworth Library, for future generations.