February 1st is an important day in the history of the Meekins Library. That first day of the second month in 1897 was the celebration of “Opening Day” of the newly constructed Williamsburg library. Built during 1896, the library was named for Stephen Meekins, the farmer who left his estate to build and support a town library. Held at the First Congregational Church of Williamsburg, on North Main Street to overflow crowds, the festive celebration, with its speakers and dignitaries and gathering of townspeople near and far, was described in the “Daily Hampshire Gazette” this way: “Seldom does it fall to the lot of a town to celebrate an event of such far reaching influence and great import to its inhabitants as the opening of a free library.”
The classical revival building built of gray granite and tan sandstone sits in the center of town. It was designed by the Northampton architectural firm of Putnam and Bayley, influenced by the work of the 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio. The front exterior façade of the solid rectangular building remains much as it was in 1896, described as “a Palladian villa masquerading as an American library.”
Eight granite steps still lead up the original recessed entry. Two polished red granite Ionic columns stand at either side of the beautiful large oak door. Carved into the frieze on either side of the entry are two phrases: WISE MEN LAY UP KNOWLEDGE and KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Large windows, with beautiful stained glass above, graced all sides of the building and let in the light.
Coming in the door on opening day in 1897, a patron entered the central rotunda with its dome above and classic tile floors below. Books, and journals filled the comfortable adjacent rooms. Annie Juliet Hawks was the new Librarian—known for her enthusiasm, courtesy, and talent.
In 2024 Williamsburg’s Meekins Library with a classic simplicity remains an iconic presence in the center of town. The building and its location still speak to the values of self-improvement and openness and access that were hallmarks of the public library movement in the late 19th century. Today a renovated and expanded Meekins’ doors are still open and welcoming, offering everyone access and the tools to “lay up knowledge” as chiseled into the frieze over the entryway for all to see. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 2/1/2024
