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The Edgell Memorial Library, built to commemorate the valor of Civil War soldiers, was the town of Framingham’s first free-standing public library and remains a testament to the spirit of civic engagement and public service which built it. The Library is a cultural pillar of the community, which rallied to build it in 1872 and once again to save it from demolition in 1963. The Edgell Memorial Library was awarded a Partners in Preservation grant of $100,000 that will go toward restoring the Library’s windows and to install much needed storm windows.
What is the historical significance of this site?
The Edgell Memorial Library, one of the few remaining Victorian Gothic buildings in the area, anchors the Centre Common in Framingham. A monument to Civil War Soldiers, built in 1872 by local people using local materials, it is a testament to the determination of the community. When demolition was threatened in 1963 by the building of a new library, concerned citizens and the Framingham Historical Society rallied to save their beloved Library.
What is the current and proposed use of the site?
The Edgell Memorial Library is currently used as a cultural community center by the Framingham History Center with monthly programming, local exhibits, a museum shop, storage and office space. The entire building is undergoing restoration which is planned to be finished by April 2011. This project will return one of Framingham’s most important historic and cultural landmarks to its original splendor, drawing families and residents to the center of Framingham and its history.
Why this site needs your continued support:
The Edgell Memorial Library is central to the cultural community in Framingham. The Edgell Memorial Library was awarded a Partners in Preservation grant of $100,000 that will go toward the restoration of existing windows and toward producing storm windows, increasing the building’s energy efficiency and the capacity for which it can serve as a community center.
For more information, click here.
The Edgell Memorial Library is a contributing property to the Framingham Centre Common National Register Historic District.
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