“Books.” Imagine the scent of aged paper and the quiet rustle of turning pages. We are standing before the Waltham Public Library. It is more than just a building filled with books. It is a portal to countless worlds and a cornerstone of Waltham’s community.
The Waltham Public Library traces its roots back to 1865. Back then, it was called the Free Town Library. It formed from the merger of three older libraries. These were the Waltham Social Club, the Rumford Institute, and the Agricultural Library Association. The new library first resided on the top floor of a bank building. Later, in 1880, it moved to the corner of Charles and Moody Streets.
Our story takes a turn with Francis Buttrick. He was a Waltham-based carpenter who made his fortune in real estate. Buttrick gifted the town the funds to build the library that stands before us. In 1913, the planning committee selected the site. It was where the old Central House once stood on Main Street. The Central House had a history stretching back to 1679 as a tavern. David Smith owned it then.
Loring and Leland, Boston architects, were chosen in 1914 to design the new building. Groundbreaking occurred on October 23 of that year. The Waltham Public Library formally dedicated on December 11, 1915. A gala event marked the occasion. The library reopened to patrons on December 13.
The building itself is architecturally significant. It is a Georgian Revival structure completed in 1915. The library is now named the Francis Buttrick Library. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Look at the front portion of the building. It is a tall, single-story brick structure. Round-arch windows and a semicircular entry pavilion draw the eye. A balustrade tops the building. Modern additions extend to the rear. These provide space for stacks and services.
The Waltham Public Library established the Waltham Room. It seeks to collect and preserve materials. These materials document the history of Waltham. They also make those materials accessible. The local history reference collection houses materials related to the history of Waltham. The archives include historical manuscripts and personal papers. Organizational records and photographs are also preserved here.
Over the years, the Waltham Public Library has seen many changes. Several branches have come and gone. In 1933, the Sears Art Gallery was added. It partly housed paintings by Charles Woodbury. Sarah Lyman Sears, a granddaughter of Theodore Lyman, was the namesake. The most recent renovations occurred in 1994. These doubled the library’s space.
The Waltham Public Library is a treasure trove of knowledge. It has a rich history and continues to serve the community. As you step inside, remember the generations who have sought knowledge within these walls. May you find your own adventure here.