The Lovely Libraries of the Boston Marathon
If you live in the Boston area, the Boston Marathon is an important rite of Spring. For runners, the Marathon can be a challenging and exhilarating experience. In towns along the route, it can be a festival of fun or a headache of road closures and detours. If you don’t have the energy to run the marathon, let us take you on a tour of the libraries along the route!
The Hopkinton Public Library was founded in 1867. The original stone building dates from 1890. A hundred years after the library was founded, it expanded into the Episcopal Church located next door. That cavernous space, complete with beautiful stained glass, is used primarily for programs and events. The library was again renovated in 2017. It’s a really beautiful space. One of our favorite things about the library is a really cool Egyptian-revival grandfather’s clock.
The Hopkinton Public Library
Just up the road from the starting line in Hopkinton is Ashland. To see the Ashland Public Library, one would need to deviate from the marathon route, so if you're actually running, we don’t recommend it. The Ashland Public Library was founded in 1880. Originally housed in the town hall, the library moved into a new building in 1903, funded by Andrew Carnegie. Renovations took place in the 70s and again in 2005. Our favorite parts of the library are the arches in the new section and the way they echo the design of the original building, and the amazing natural light.
The Ashland Public Library
The next town along the marathon route is Framingham. The Framingham Public Library has two locations - the main library downtown and the newer Christa McAuliffe branch. Greg spent time working at the Framingham Public Library and has a real soft spot for the place. The main library is late-Brutalist, while the McAuliffe branch is a stunning contemporary space. As with Ashland, you’d need to take a detour to see them.
The Main Framingham Library
Not quite halfway through the course is the lovely town of Natick. Greg lived in Natick for more than 20 years and was a regular user of the Morse Institute. Rachael, too, has a connection to the library. She did a terrific craft program that was consistently wait-listed. The Morse Institute, located in the center of town, combines a nice antique building with a modern addition from the early 00s. The Bacon Free Library is located in South Natick.
The Morse Institute, Natick
The nicest thing about the Morse Institute for our purposes is that it’s right on the route, so you can see it without losing any time!
The main Wellesley Free Library is also right on the marathon route. Again, both Rachael and Greg have connections here. Rachael spent seven years at the library, going from a library assistant to a cataloger. Greg was there for a few years, too, finishing his time as the information services supervisor. The library, from the early 2000s, is tasteful and fits nicely with the surroundings.
The Wellesley Free Library
There are also two branches - the Fells, which is essentially a children’s library, and the Hills. The Hills branch is right on the marathon route, so runners can appreciate its lovely stone architecture without wasting time!
The Hills Branch, Wellesley
The Newton Free Library is visible from the route. It’s located on Homer Street, which runs parallel to the course and is just before Heartbreak Hill rises. The library was founded in 1865 and has had many interactions over the years. The current building dates from 1992. The city of Newton is a city of villages, and in years gone by, each had its own branch. Today, there are just two branches - in Auburndale and Waban - that are community libraries.
The Newton Free Library, Photo: Minuteman Library Network
By the time runners reach Brookline, they’re on the home stretch. The city has a three-branch system. The main Public Library of Brookline is located in Brookline Village, a couple of miles from the route. Closer to the course is the Coolidge Corner branch, just a few blocks away, but still too far to see while running the marathon. There is also the Putterman branch, but that’s miles away.
The Coolidge Corner Branch, The Public Library of Brookline
Reaching the finish line, the great Boston Public Library is right there! This is one of the crown jewels of America’s public libraries. It set the standard for big city libraries. Not only is its collection among the largest of any public library in the world, but it has features no other library can touch. WGBH, one of Boston’s public radio stations, has a studio in the library, for example, and the Map Room Tea Lounge is the only library cocktail lounge we’ve ever seen.
The Boston Public Library
If you’re running the marathon, we hope you win! If you’re not, enjoy it - and remember to run to your local library!