Step inside the Henry Bloom Noble Library. Its walls whisper tales of a man named Henry Bloom Noble. He wasn’t born on the Isle of Man. He arrived from Cumbria a driven businessman. By his early forties he was reputedly Douglas’s wealthiest resident.
The Henry Bloom Noble Library itself has a history. It first opened its doors in 1886. Its original location was beside the Town Hall in Ridgeway Street. It then moved to Victoria Street in 2003. Finally it found its current home on Duke Street in 2016.
Henry Bloom Noble’s legacy extends far beyond this library. He was a director and chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. He even had disputes with the board about ship investments. Later his views were vindicated. He was a founding member of the Isle of Man Bank. He was a shrewd businessman. He also invested in Douglas Gas Light Company and the Water Company. Selling the water company created considerable friction. His refusal to accept a cheque from Dumbell’s Bank for the sale angered many. He demanded gold or cash instead.
But Henry Bloom Noble was more than just a businessman. Along with his wife Rebecca he was a remarkable philanthropist. They donated land and funds for Noble’s Hospital. The first hospital was built on what’s now the site of the Manx Museum. A nurses’ home was added. The total cost exceeded £100000 a huge sum at the time. They even owned the land where the current Henry Bloom Noble Primary School stands. When a new hospital was required it was built on that site.
The Henry Bloom Noble trust continues to support the island. It provided funds for Noble’s Park a public swimming pool. It contributed to St Ninian’s Church Ramsey Cottage Hospital and the Douglas Soup Dispensary. It even financed accommodation for nurses and Knockaloe Farm. The trust’s generosity is legendary. It even sold the Villa Marina Noble’s former home to Douglas Corporation at a bargain price. Today the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust remains a cornerstone of the island’s healthcare system.
This library a testament to Henry Bloom Noble’s vision stands as a vibrant community hub. It offers more than just books. It offers free Wi-Fi computer access printing and photocopying services. It hosts events including readers’ groups story times craft activities and guest speakers. The Henry Bloom Noble Library truly embodies the spirit of its namesake a legacy of generosity and community enrichment. Explore the collections within. Discover the stories waiting to be shared.