Monday, August 15, 2022

Henry Hobson Richardson and his Public Libraries in Massachusetts

Trinity Church, Boston Andrew Dickson White
Architectural Photograph Collection, #15-5-3090.
Division of Rare and Manuscripts Collections,
Cornell University Library.
Located in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, Copley Square is a bustling spot for tourists and residents alike. Surrounded by landmarks like the Boston Public Library, Old South Church, and the John Hancock Tower, sits the Trinity Church. Noted for its arches, unique stonework, and compelling facade, Trinity Church was designed by famed architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Considered a leader in American architecture, Richardson’s seminal works include churches, municipal buildings, private homes, and libraries. Richardson was responsible for designing four public libraries in Massachusetts. Bringing his unique, elevated style to Woburn, Easton, Quincy, and Malden, Richardson designed these public libraries in his sophisticated Romanesque style. 

  • Woburn - After completing the Trinity Church commission (1872-1877), Richardson embarked on his first public library commission with Woburn’s Public Library. At the bequest of Charles Bowers Winn, a portion of his will was left for the construction of a public library. Coming straight from his latest achievement with Trinity Church in 1877, Richardson’s plans for the Woburn Public Library were unanimously accepted by the Library Committee in the same year. 

Woburn Public Library. Image via Digital Commonwealth.

  • Easton - Similar to the circumstances in Woburn, the Ames Free Library (commissioned September 1877, opened in 1883) was commissioned at the bequest of Oliver Ames II who in his will left instructions for the construction of a library for the residents of Easton. It was his son Frederick Lothrop Ames who would bring in Richardson for the library. Frederick, a graduate of Harvard University, first struck a friendship with HHR while at school. Later, Frederick would use his elite Harvard contacts to bring Richardson to Easton. The Ames Family, a prominent family in Easton, played a large part in the industrial advancement of the town as well as in the construction of other municipal buildings. In addition to the public library, Richardson was responsible for four other buildings in town. Most notable is the Oakes Ames Memorial Hall in which Richardson collaborated with esteemed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted on the greenery and rock work.  

North Easton Public Library (Ames Free Library) 
Andrew Dickson White Architectural Photograph Collection,
 #15-5-3090. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections,
Cornell University Library.

  • Quincy - Not unlike Woburn and Easton, the public library in Quincy was also constructed as a memorial to a benefactor. The Thomas Crane Public Library (commissioned 1880, opened in 1882) was commissioned by the Crane family in honor of their father Thomas Crane, a former resident and Quincy businessman. The library is noted for its “architectural coherence and charm” as described by Richardson’s friend, biographer, and architecture enthusiast, Marian Griswold VanRensselaer.

Thomas Crane Library, Quincy
Image via Digital Commonwealth

  • Malden - Commissioned in 1883, the Converse Memorial Public Library in Malden opened in 1885. Again, the building was constructed as a memorial by the Converse family for their son. The Malden Library was Richardson’s most expensive library design; the building includes an art gallery, reading rooms, fireplace, and a library with a capacity for 60,000 volumes (Breisch, 1997).

Malden Public Library
Image via Digital Commonwealth

All four of these libraries remain open today and are beautiful as they are functional. So why not take a trip this summer to see some of the magnificent and historic public libraries in Massachusetts!

Resources on Henry Hobson Richardson and his works: 


April Pascucci
Reference Librarian

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