Welcome to the Bacon Free Library! *
Yes, all the usual 'Hamless Library' and other jokes have already been made. The lovely Victorian building you can see here is located in South Natick, Massachusetts, right on the Charles River, and very close to the Wellesley town line.
South Natick is indeed a part of the much bigger, busier and commercial-friendly Town of Natick, but it is a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the large mall straddling Route 9, which gives the town its impressive tax base. South Natick is rural in nature, for the most part, with one or two farms still extant. I really admire the look of this solid red brick building, standing foursquare at the crossroads in the center of the little village, with its High Classical front, pediment, brick pilasters, and beautiful terracotta facings.
South Natick is now part of the Minuteman Library Network, a consortium of 36 public and 7 college libraries (62 locations) clustered within the Metrowest Region of Massachusetts to the west of Boston. MLN is an amazingly busy consortium, with its libraries holding a total of 6,557,417 individual items, and making 16,071,673 circulation transactions so far in 2013. The Bacon Free Library, like so many Victorian libraries was the vision of one public benefactor - in this case, Oliver Bacon, a local farmer and the Clerk of The Eliot Church, which was built on the site of the first Natick Meetinghouse (1651). His wife Sarah had founded 'The Ladies Social Circle' in 1841, in their home on Badger Street. The Social Circle was a form of 'library society', loaning books to those locals who were desirous of learning; Sarah was Librarian until her death in 1870.
The Bacons had been childless, and Oliver's sole thought was honor Sarah's memory and her work, and when he passed in 1880 his will's major bequest was dedicated to providing the district with a building that would serve the community well. He declared that he wanted a combination library and museum (the museum to be housed in the basement) and that, 'No narrow view be taken of the requirements and necessities of readers and students'. The building opened in 1881, and has been in continuous operation to this day.
When you enter the main door of the Bacon Free, you are faced with an immediate choice, turn to your left, and descend a short set of steps to enter the Natick Historic Society Museum, with its excellent displays of local historical artifacts, or ascend a short set of steps to enter the Library. This takes the form of one large room, set about with shelves, window seats, play areas, a check-out desk and much more! The Library may not be as extensive as some, but its staff are both welcoming and knowledgeable.
Here is the Library's current 'Mission Statement'.
The library provides its users with a charming blend of today's best-sellers, old fashioned friendliness, and modern technology in an historic neighborhood setting. Our riverside location offers the perfect spot to relax with a book or laptop computer. The Bacon Free Library offers a variety of adult, child, and seasonal programs. Many of our library programs and collections are made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Bacon Free Library. Please consider joining them. The Library also houses the Natick Historical Society Museum in the lower level of the building. The museum offers a rich collection of artifacts and memorabilia of local significance. Museum hours are limited.
The Friends of the Bacon Free Library fund many of the excellent children's programs, as you can see below:-
NEW SEASON, NEW CYCLE! MOMS AND DADS AND GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS AND NANNIES AND ESPECIALLY KIDS AGES NEWBORN THROUGH SIX YEARS OLD, COME AND JOIN STORY HOUR AT BACON FREE LIBRARY. New people please drop on in. You are most welcome. No registration! No fee!
A few examples of what's ahead for the smallest visitors to the Bacon Free Library!
Dec. 11 & 13 Winter & Snow, Dec. 27 Resolutions & Calendars, Jan. 8 & 10 Hats & Mittens, Jan. 15 & 17 Bears & Hibernation
The Library also hosts adult programs including author presentations, reading groups, music events and more.
The Bacon Free Library, Natick - I think that Oliver & Sarah Bacon would be proud of their legacy.
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Readers & Book Lovers Series Schedule: