Step into the grand Woburn Public Library. Its history unfolds like a captivating novel. This isn’t just any library. This is a National Historic Landmark. It stands proudly on Pleasant Street. Its story begins long ago in 1789. Thirty-three citizens formed the Social Library. It was a subscription library. A far cry from the free public library we know today.
But change was coming. In 1854 Jonathan Bowers Winn stepped forward. He offered his entire salary $300.00. He did this to establish a public library if the town matched the amount. The town agreed. In 1856 Woburn’s first public library opened. It was a humble start in the Municipal Building.
The Woburn Public Library continued to grow. It moved to the old Wade Block in 1865. That same year Bowen Buckman gifted the library its first trust fund. It was a generous $500.00. More gifts followed. Timothy and J B Winn both left substantial bequests.
Then came the truly transformative gift. Charles Bowers Winn inherited his father’s considerable fortune. He bequeathed $140,000 to the town. This was to build a magnificent library. He wanted it to be an architectural masterpiece. His vision was realized.
The Woburn Public Library on Pleasant Street stands as a testament to his generosity. It was the first library designed by the acclaimed architect H H Richardson. It features Romanesque Revival architecture. It opened in 1879. George Mather Champney was the first librarian. Sadly he died on the library’s front porch in 1882.
The building is a marvel. It houses a stunning reading room a grand art gallery and a museum. It has a towering entrance with a memorial tablet. The tablet honors Jonathan Bowers Winn. The Winn family coat of arms is beautifully carved there too. The library’s interior is a sight to behold. It features butternut oiled and polished walls. Exquisite details abound. The library truly is a treasure.
In 2019 a $33 million renovation project was completed. It added a maker space a teen room a climate-controlled archives. It has a program room and a new children’s department. The Woburn Public Library continues to thrive. It remains a vital part of the community. It provides resources education and entertainment for all. This grand library is a testament to the generosity of its founders. It’s a testament to the power of community and the enduring love of reading. It’s a place where history and the future happily coexist.