The original stately granite Meekins Library building is 130 years old this year, 2026. The new town library was named for benefactor farmer Stephen Meekins. Designed by the Northampton architectural firm of Putnam & Bayley, the library was being constructed all through 1896 and was dedicated in February 1897.
The classical revival building of gray granite and tan sandstone sits in the center of Williamsburg. The design was influenced by the work of the 16th-century Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. With its symmetry, proportion, and balance, attributes derived from the ancient Greek and Roman traditions, the library has stood the test of time. The front exterior façade of the solid rectangular original building remains much as it was in 1896, described as “a Palladian villa masquerading as an American library.”
Eight granite steps still lead up to the original portico. 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, grace all sides of the building and let in the light. And, for inspiration at the time of construction, the names of 19th century contemporary authors were cut into the building, under the roof line.
The building and its location still speak to the values of self-improvement, 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. Dedicated to the principle that “knowledge is power”, the library continues to offer everyone access and the tools to “lay up knowledge”—the values chiseled into the frieze over the entryway for all to see. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 2/19/2026
