“Culture among its inhabitants.” That’s what Maria Hastings Cary wanted to increase. Right here stands Cary Memorial Library. It all began with her generous offer in 1868.
Maria Hastings Cary offered Lexington $1,000. It was for books to establish a free public library. The town had to match her donation and provide a building. They gratefully accepted. The library was named in her honor.
Let’s step back to January 27, 1869. Cary Library opened its doors. It was located over Bradford Whitcher’s store. That’s now Massachusetts Avenue opposite Meriam Street. The library was only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Marian S. Keyes was the first librarian. The 1,200 books were carefully covered in brown paper.
Just a year later, Mrs. Cary suggested a library building. In 1870, her offer of $20,000 toward building a Town Hall was accepted. By 1871, the library moved to the first floor of the new Town Hall. It was located on Massachusetts Avenue opposite Waltham Street.
Imagine residents over 14 borrowing books. But only one at a time. Late fees were 5 cents per day. Miss Keyes was succeeded by Grace S. Wellington. The library continued to expand its collections.
In 1881, Maria Hastings Cary passed away. She left Cary Library $5,000. Library service expanded to East Lexington in 1883. A Branch Library opened in a reading room of the old Adams School.
Fast forward to 1906. The library moved to its current location. It stands at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Clarke Street. Alice Butler Cary gifted the building. She honored her foster mother.
Willard Dalrymple Brown, a local architect, designed the building. He graduated from MIT School of Architecture in 1894. The building echoes the fieldstone base of the Minuteman statue. It is just across the street.
Consider this. In 1892, the practice of covering books was abandoned. The modern notion was that books are to be used rather than preserved. By 1899, the careless practice of using matches for bookmarks was condemned.
Think about the library at the turn of the century. Cary Library owned about 20,000 volumes. Librarians were increasingly needed for reference material.
Today, Cary Memorial Library continues to serve the community. It provides access to knowledge and resources for all. It stands as a testament to Maria Hastings Cary’s vision. Her gift has enriched Lexington for generations. Remember her desire to increase opportunities for culture among the town’s inhabitants.