Joseph Otis, who had earned his fortune elsewhere, returned to his hometown of Norwich at the age of 70 and, wishing to do something lasting for its people, founded a public library in his name on this spot. He purchased the land and planned to have the library built after his death, but at the urging of his pastor, he completed construction during his lifetime. Opening in 1850 under the administration of Otis' handpicked Board of Trustees, Otis Library served the city at this location until it relocated to Main Street in 1962.