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Explore > Edgell Memorial Library > Story Archives
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Childhood Memory
Submitted by Jeanne, West of Boston
Born in 1948, I spent the early years of my life a few steps away from Edgell Memorial Library. The librarians allowed neighborhood youngsters to play in the back garden and spend as long as we wanted in the basement reading room for children without ever being hustled out the door. You could sit reading on the cool floor for hours. They even allowed my friend Johnny and I to stuff the ballot box during a presidential campain. We carefully scribbled "I Like Ike" on numerous scraps of paper. No one said a word.
Even as a child, I recognized that this was a place of importance and great beauty. I hope that anyone reading this will look further into the history of Edgell Memorial Library and support its mission.
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The Final Day
Submitted by Storyteller, West of Boston
Today, May 17, marks the last day of voting for Partners in Preservation. And it is also the day of the Framingham History Center’s Annual House Tour. What a glorious way to celebrate the history of our town, touring homes from the past with special significance. And of course one final vote for Edgell Memorial Library. As visitors drive past the town common there will be that little Gothic gem, facing the tent where the Graduation for Framingham State College will take place. Sprinkled about our town are wonderful buildings, from the Richardson Railroad Station to the Gropius House on Winter Street. Nearby stands the recently renovated Pump House by the reservoir, it’s peaked roof mirrors the peaks of Edgell’s roof. Framingham has amazing architecture, each edifice filled with stories of those who designed and built them and those who lived or worked in them. What a wonderful town to live in!
What a extraordinary experience to participate in Partners in Preservation which makes everyone aware of treasures in our own backyard, to care for them, learn about them, and rejoice in them.
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Romance in the Stacks at Edgell
Submitted by Annie, West of Boston
Yesterday my hunch that many a romance bloomed in the Edgell Library was confirmed. A friend recounted how he used to walk all the way from the South side of Framingham to the Edgell Library at the Center of town bypassing the library in the memorial building downtown. Why? Because it was easier for him to rendezvous in the stacks with his young sweetheart when Mrs. Turner was on duty. She was the head librarian at the time and my friend was very fond of her for many reasons.
When I first started working here nearly 3 years ago, another woman recounted how she had received her first kiss at the Edgell Library. These are clearly moments that are etched in our minds forever and it is wonderful to hear people relay them. If there are any others out there, please submit.
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My Memories of Edgell!
Submitted by friend, West of Boston
As I vote daily for the Edgell Memorial Library at the Partners in Preservation site, I think of the many reasons that the library is especially meaningful to me. When I was five years old my family moved to Framingham. We lived on Library Street, directly across from this masterpiece of a building. No matter what season, it was always there beckoning my family to use it as a backdrop for important events: First Communion, Easter, birthdays, graduations. The Civil War soldier has shared all those memories with us, standing majestically in the background.
Edgell Library really was my second home since I visited daily to do research for school projects (no computers then!) and to complete homework in a quiet setting. As a small child I remember the wonderful woman who read stories to us in the children's room downstairs. During the summer, there was always some sort of reading contest to enter which gave my siblings and me an additional reason to enjoy the world of books.
To this day, when I walk through the familiar doors, I can still envision the circulation desk and the welcoming librarians behind it. How fortunate I am to be involved, still, with this beautiful building, as a volunteer for the Framingham History Center. I compare it to visiting an old and dear friend with whom there is always a memory to share which brings a smile to my face. As a community, we need to cherish the Edgell Memorial Library which is not only significant historically, but also civically, since it has served our townspeople so well.
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Gothic Architecture
Submitted by Bobbi Vila, West of Boston
Not a story, just a comment on how incredible the Gothic Architectural details are in this building. I was fortunate enough to attend a function there several years ago and was able to see the interior. I have always admired the exterior and would love to live in a structure just like it. It is a reminder of quality and permanence of the past especially with all the vinyl boxes that are being built today.
el
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The first library I ever saw
Submitted by Mel, West of Boston
When I was little, the Edgell Library was (I think) the only library in Framingham, and my mother would take us there occasionally. My brother and I called it "the castle" because that's what it seems like to us, and while I remember little of the inside I do remember that we always looked forward to going there.
Situated at the common at Framingham Center, this is an architectural gem and should be preserved. I'd love to see it again!
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Preserve Public Health and Nursing History
Submitted by Kathy Hursen, West of Boston
I vote for funding for the Edgell Memorial Library. This historical architectural building preserves many rich historical documents about public health in Massachusetts. Lillian Wald, the first to “coin the term public health nursing”, opened the Henry Street Settlement House to send nurses into the communities to “provide preventive care and the preservation of health”. Framingham was the site of the one of Lillian Wald’s Projects from 1913 to1917. The nurses developed the first epidemiological study of tuberculosis in the US, along with creating many public health programs that are still in existence today. Many historical documents describing the project are preserved in this library.
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My first library card...
Submitted by Laurie the Librarian, West of Boston
The Edgell Memorial Library is where I had my first library card (age7 or 8). For many years, I would stop by after school and leave with a stack of good reads. This place and those experiences definitely contributed to my becoming a librarian.
Situated on the Framingham Center Common (itself a magnificent example of the New England common), the library is an amazing piece of Gorth architecture, and is in need of much repair. Please vote on-line daily for this historical gem so they can restore its windows.
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Edgell Memorial Library
Submitted by Esta, West of Boston
Annie Murphy has been doing a fantastic job of raising the greater Framingham community's awareness of the three wonderful historic buildings surrounding the Framingham Green. I drive by these buildings twice every day and am so proud to see them. They represent an important anchor in the history of this town.
Esta Shindler
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THIS is what it's all about!
Submitted by p.s.p., West of Boston
Edgell is an icon in Framingham! It is so much more than its bricks and mortar-it is the heartfelt gratitude of an entire town to her sons who fought and died in the Civil War! I had driven past this building thousands (?millions) of times before I learned of its past. That started me thinking: what other historical "gems" am I missing out on? Now local history is a full-time hobby for me.
All the nominees are significant, but to me Edgell Memorial Library embodies just what this competition is all about. My (daily!) vote for Edgell is a vote for the historically significant places right in front of us!
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Preserving Framingham Center Landmark
Submitted by Donna Moy-Bruno, West of Boston
Submitted by Donna of Metrowest
I vote to save this magnificent Metrowest landmark! The feeling one gets when stepping inside this beautiful building is hard to describe. The frenzy of the outside world disappears and a sense of awe and appreciation of the past surrounds you. It is no coincidence that this magical building stands beside the town common where residents gatther frequently for community events and celebrations. I can't imagine Framingham Center without this amazing architectural reminder of our past.
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What memories
Submitted by Dave, West of Boston
Have you ever seen the Edgel library - if you have you can just imagine what it was like when I was a student at Johnathan Maynard in the seventh and eighth grade and had to relie on the library for my reserch papers. This unique stone framed building built from quarry stone, the building always seems cold from the outside but inside the librarians were always so helpful for someone who always needed help. Always warm and cheerie inside - that was 61 years ago! Across the street is the Town Hall where I had to take Dancing Lessons - ugh(that is another story) - but again - the buldings all make up the Commons at Framingham Center! As I said in the begining, if you haven't seen this historic sitet you must.
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Edgell Historic Building
Submitted by Al, Boston
"Village Hall" hasa added grace and style, historic context, to Step Up to Excellence's ten graduating classes. The orante steps lead not only to a beautiful and affordable hall but also through the siginigicant history of Framingham.
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Edgell Memorial Library
Submitted by M. David Cohen, West of Boston
The Edgell Memorial Library is much more than "bricks and mortar" and certainly more than "leaves in a book," it is, to be sure, a place that draws decent people together to exchange knowledge of our roots and a place where ideas are planted and plans are nourished to make our community the best place in which to live and raise our families.
Please support our efforts to keep and maintain our, and your, Edgell Memorial Library for generations yet to come.
M. David Cohen
21st Century Productions
Framingham, MA 02171
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Framingham's Gothic Victorian Gen
Submitted by L F, West of Boston
I have lived in Framingham for 40 years. The Edgell Memorial Library was always there but for years I just drove past and didn’t notice. My children experienced it first with school trips. Then I started performing there with singers, musicians and poets. Now I know this glorious building well. My day isn’t complete unless I drive by to watch the new roof go on - the progress of the new grey and purple slates, the shine of the copper, the soaring iron ornamentation. I love standing inside and experiencing the light pouring through the Gothic windows. I love the exhibit hall where art tells the story of Framingham. I love the worn down tiles where the children waited at the circulation desk for their books to be stamped out. I love how the voices resound in Memorial Hall whether in words or songs. What a delight it is to share this jewel of our town with the wide world as we participate in this banquet of Boston’s historical and architectural treasures!
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Sharing Framingham's Gothic Memorial
Submitted by LF, West of Boston
I have lived in Framingham for 40 years. The Edgell Memorial Library was always there but for years I just drove past and didn’t notice. My children experienced it first with school trips. Then I started performing there with singers, musicians and poets. Now I know this glorious building well. My day isn’t complete unless I drive by to watch the new roof go on - the progress of the new grey and purple slates, the shine of the copper, the soaring iron ornamentation. I love standing inside and experiencing the light pouring through the Gothic windows. I love the exhibit hall where art tells the story of Framingham. I love the worn down tiles where the children waited at the circulation desk for their books to be stamped out. I love how the voices resound in Memorial Hall whether in words or songs. What a delight it is to share this jewel of our town with the wide world as we participate in this banquet of Boston’s historical and architectural treasures!
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This is an incredibly worthy cause!
Submitted by JT, West of Boston
I am so pleased to see that Edgell Library is on the list for the Greater Boston Initiative. Not only does it have enormous historical significance, but it also serves as a gathering place for the Town of Framingham -- both old and new residents. The Framingham History Center provides wonderful programming and exhibitions out of the space, highlighting the building and the town's history for all comers. We in metrowest need to better understand, support, and appreciate our collective history, even those of us who have not lived in the area for very long. Framingham is much more than the stores on Route 9, and we should be proud of our roots!
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Grief Work
Submitted by D E, West of Boston
The residents of Framingham built this library to create an ongoing source of energy and ideas in memory of the many local men whose young lives were cut short by the Civil War.
To this day, their youthful idealism still lives on in the Edgell Memorial Library's many and varied historic and cultural programs, while the building itself reminds us of the men in their own time. We owe it to them to maintain this beautiful tribute to their memory.
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A Treasure Chest of Memories Old and New
Submitted by Charlene, West of Boston
This exquisite high-style Victorian building is home to some of the most enriching and rewarding programs offered through the Framingham History Center. Originally dedicated to Framingham's Civil War heros (Framingham sent 12% of its population to fight in the Civil War), it has more recently served as a public gathering place to enjoy educational lectures, exhibits, and top-quality programming including a component of our public school system's 3rd grade curriculum. Residents near and far learn about our place in New England's unique history via this architectural masterpiece. . In 2001, my girl scout Troop 2112 led the way to conservation of The Soldier, the public outdoor sculpture that stands in front of the Edgell Memorial Library. Join us in the effort to save Framingham's historic treasures. All it takes is your daily vote!!
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