For almost a century, Cromaine Library has been Hartland’s front porch—where stories are shared, music drifts through the halls, and neighbors become friends. This fall, we’re inviting you to help us grow our next chapter: the Heritage Gardens—a movement-rich, music-infused play garden where children and families can gather, explore, and bloom together.

Historic black and white photo of the Library as it looked shortly after it's 1927 construction

A musical thread.
Since the early days, Cromaine has helped bring arts and culture to Hartland—including administering the Hartland Music Hall to host free concerts for the community. You’ll see that history echoed in the garden’s playful musical instrument features—hands-on, outdoor sound that invites everyone to join the chorus.

guests pack the house for a performer at the Historic Hartland Music Hall

Rooted in flowers and friendship.
Hartland’s agricultural history, our long friendship with the Hartland Home and Garden Club, and our love of sharing seeds and plants with visitors of all ages inspired the garden beds—a place to get curious, get messy, and watch things grow.

Two friendly library staff stand behind plant at the native plant exchange at Cromaine Library

All aboard, again.
Do you remember the Cromaine Train that lived in our Youth Department? So many visitors still ask about it! Heritage Gardens nods to that beloved memory with opportunities for train-themed play that sparks the same wonder.

6 young children sit inside a blue and yellow wooden train in the Library

Woven into Hartland’s story.
Hartland’s fiber arts and handweaving traditions trace back to the 1930s and 40s. The garden will honor that craft with a feature that celebrates the textures and techniques of our past.

Two women sit at a loom weaving, picture is black and white

A place to learn and play—for the next 100 years.
Cromaine has stood with Hartland for nearly a century. The Heritage Gardens will be a welcoming, public space where today’s children—and their children—can learn, play, and feel the heartbeat of their hometown.

Children and parents interact in Community Garden at Cromaine

Become a Sponsor of the Heritage Gardens

Your gift helps transform a community vision into a landmark public space—rooted in Hartland’s past and built for its future.

Cromaine's Heritage Garden