Walton-DeFuniak Library

National Preservation Month Spotlight

The Walton-DeFuniak Library opened during the first decade that DeFuniak Springs became a town. In 1885, the first annual session of the Florida Chautauqua Association, an adult education movement combining education with religion and recreation, was held in DeFuniak Springs, and local women realized that library resources would be needed. In 1886, an Aid Society was formed, which became the Ladies Library Association the next year. By the end of 1887, the building was completed. The institution became the Walton County Public Library in 1966. In 1975, it was renamed the Walton-DeFuniak Library. At that time, the library building was the oldest structure in Florida built as a library and still serving as a library.

In celebration of National Preservation Month, the Walton-DeFuniak Library, in partnership with Main Street DeFuniak Springs, seek to develop a collection of photographs that document the history of DeFuniak Springs. Citizens are encouraged to stop by the library during normal business hours, complete a data collection form, and leave the photographs to be digitized. Library staff will contact citizens when the photographs are ready to be picked up. The Walton-DeFuniak Library is located at 3 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, and is open Monday – Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. Typically the library closes at 5:00 p.m., except for Tuesdays when its closes at 8:00 p.m. For more information, please call (850) 892-3624 or visit https://waltonlibraries.com.