That was 100 years ago.

Today, it is a repository of the history of Stanislaus County and surrounding areas and boasts a “first class collection of early photos and documents.”

As part of the celebration to mark its centennial, the city is throwing a party called Old Library Grand Opening on Saturday, July 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. The public is invited to take part in the events taking place at the Old Library, aka The McHenry Museum, located at 1402 I Street just across from The Modesto Bee on 14th Street.

Billed as a family-friendly event – children must be accompanied by an adult – visitors will have opportunities to meet the mayor from 1912 and 2012 as well as various characters from those early days including a Forty-Niner, a stagecoach robber, and a blacksmith. Playing these roles will be museum docents dressed in period costumes.

There will be plenty of activities for children. They will include listening to a storyteller plus refreshments.

Admission is free to all of the above activities and no reservation is necessary. For any other questions, call (209) 577-5235 or send an e-mail to elacoste@modestogov.com.

— ROSE ALBANO RISSO

209 staff reporter