Clapp Memorial Library, Belchertown, Massachusetts

Driving through Massachusetts, you’re bound to come across a town name or two that will make you scratch your head, laugh, or even blush. Seekonk, Haverhill, and - of course - Athol are all on the list. Belchertown deserves a spot too! This is a really tidy town of 15,000 just southwest of the Quabbin Reservoir in Central Massachusetts. It’s a lovely part of the state.

As we pulled up to the Clapp Memorial Library, we found a beautiful 1885 Richardsonian Romanesque building. It was designed by Harry Kilburn of New York and built by Bartlett Brothers of nearby Whatley, Massachusetts. It’s made of Longmeadow brownstone, Holyoke brick, and local sand for the stained-glass windows. We’ll come back to the windows as we describe the interior.

Belchertown was once nicknamed Carriage Town and was a hub for the wagon and carriage industry. Specialist craftspeople, like wheelwrights, manufactured components at mills and workshops around town. The library displays that heritage with carriage wheel motifs throughout. That’s actually the first thing that struck us as we entered the library - a large half-circle spanning the ceiling between two sections of the library.

Next, we noticed the stained glass. There are three pieces of note; all were designed by H.E. Hartwell. To the left (south), the window depicts literature; to the right (north), it shows Saint Cecilia. Directly above, in the center of the library, is a rectangle of orange glass. It’s all really striking.

The building was designed to serve both as a library and a theater. What was once the stage is now an elevated space that is home to the children’s collection. It features a nice collection, several play spaces, and public technology. Being on a separate level creates a nice effect.

At the opposite end of the library is the adult collection. It’s a really lovely space. The highlight, of course, is the stunning stained glass, but look closely, and you’ll notice the mezzanine (sadly closed to the public), wheel-like circles on the trusses over your head, and brass numbers at the ends of the stacks. The collection itself is respectable, and we also noticed the library had a puzzle of itself available for sale. It's all very cool. 

Between Children’s and Adult is a service desk. We spoke with the staff and can report that they are a friendly, informative bunch. We’d actually met one person - Annie - at the Brimfield Public Library. Across from the desk is what feels like a community living room; let us tell you about it.

Plenty of comfortable couches and workspaces fill the room. A puzzle sits out for those who want to do it, and Annie is working on a watercolor leaf-print craft available to everyone. This space also has public computers and other technology. Perhaps the centerpiece is an amazing fireplace with an ornate clock on the mantle. You may know we’re suckers for clocks, and this library had a second one - a big grandfather’s clock - in addition to the one at the fireplace.

As we prepared to leave, we took one last look around the library. Everything about it - the architecture, the interior, the fixtures, furniture, and fittings - is in keeping with the library’s vibe. A couple of other nice pieces to note are the town charter (granted before America was a country), the teen space, and the puzzle swap, which nicely rounded out the visit.
As we walked to the car, dozens - if not hundreds - of motorcycles came parading by; it was a loud finish to our time at the library!

Library Land Project merch is now available; you can find it here!