Home of the Barre Museum
The Barre Museum holds a collection of artifacts relating
to the history of Barre City and Barre Town. Though local in
scope, the collection is of regional and, in some instances,
national significance. Housed on the second floor of the Library,
the Museum maintains a comprehensive collection of tools and
plaster models pertaining to the Granite Industry, both manufacturing
and quarrying. The Museum also exhibits a fine collection of
early nineteenth-century Vermont portraits of leading citizens
of Barre, as well as a collection of small agricultural and textile
tools, optical instruments and cameras. Changing exhibits highlight
the cultural, economic, and political life of the Barre area.
Archives of Barre History
The holdings of the Archives reflect the schism between the
"old" inhabitants of Barre - the Yankee farmers and
merchants - and the "new" immigrant population.
The Barre Historical Society was formed in 1915, at a time
when immigration to Barre was at its height and the local population
felt a great deal of cultural pressure. The types of material
collected by the Society reflect their concern in documenting
and maintaining the traditions and culture of the first settlers
of Barre.
During the 1970s, at a time when interest in ethnic history
and culture was growing, The aldrich Public library received
a grant from the U. S. Department of Education to collect information
on the immigrant population of Barre. Through the auspices of
the Barre Ethnic heritage Studies Project, the library acquired
material in many formats, including manuscripts, photographs,
and oral history tapes.
In 1980 the Barre Historical Society disbanded and donated
its collection to the aldrich Public Library.
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The Aldrich Public Library, one of two in Barre, is located
on a well-chosen lot across from City Park on Washington (US
Route 302). Dedicated on September 22, 1908, it is part of an
unusual historic district composed of five churches and city
hall with its recently-restored opera house. Each of these buildings
is at least a decade older than the library which was built with
money from the estate of Leonard Frost Aldrich. A major expansion
was added more space and full handicapped access in 2000.
A native of Barre, aldrich was a successful businessman known
for his good works. Especially interested in education, he had
served as trustee of Barre Academy and had helped oversee the
construction of Goddard Seminary in 1869. He decided the best
thing he could do for Barre was to build a library. Unfortunately,
he died in 1898, ten years before the two-story building was
erected.
Penn Varney of Lynn, Massachusetts was architect and William
E. Jackson of Montpelier was contractor for the $39,000 Classical
Revival building of gray brick. Barre granite, originally planned
as the exterior stone, proved too costly, but the foundation
is of granite as is the entrance with its two huge polished columns,
steps, and delicately-carved frieze depicting "The Passing
of the Torch of Learning."
An elaborate entryway leads to the main floor with its original
oak furniture and woodwork, classical columns, and two skillfully-finished
fireplaces. Above the rear book stacks is an opaque glass floor
that intrigues and delights young patrons. The first floor looks
much the same as when the library was first built, except for
the electric lights that replaced gas fixtures, and the open
stacks, originally closed off by wooden gates connected to the
imposing circulation desk.
The remodeled basement contains a children's room and space
for processing, storage, and kitchen purposes. In 1984, empty
space was converted into a gallery on the second floor. Named
in honor of George E. Milne, longtime library trustee now deceased,
the room is used for meetings as well as exhibits. The upstairs
also contains a museum of Barre history, and archives which include
an excellent ethnic-heritage collection, considered one of the
finest in Vermont.
The East Barre Branch of the aldrich Public library is located
just beyond the junction of US Route 302 and VT Route 110 in
the center of East Barre. It occupies a large room on the first
floor of a 1 1/2-story Country Vernacular house painted yellow
with brown trim. The rest of the building is an apartment whose
rent helps support the library, a rare situation in Vermont.
Also rare is the involvement of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union in establishing a library. Starting with books from a Sunday
school collection and a former reading circle, the group formed
the East Barre WCTU library Association in 1910, a time when
the women considered drinking quite a problem. Their goal was
to start a library to give the men something to do in their idle
hours. The firemen built shelves and fixed up a reading room
over the hose house. The jail was in the basement "where
were lodged those men who patronized the bottle instead of the
library." The library hours, 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, may
have been planned with a purpose.
Money was raised by selling ice cream at Saturday night band
concerts. In 1916, subscriptions in Barre and surrounding towns
made possible a down payment on the present building. In 1917,
after the library was incorporated, the collection was moved
to the converted space and the tenant took over as librarian
for a time. In 1918, WCTU member Louella Pittsley died and left
$800 to the library.
In the 1940s and in 1961, money was raised and the building
was improved. The name was changed twice: to Barre Town library
in 1968 when the town started appropriating money, and to the
East Barre Branch in 1982. The rent arrangement, begun 75 years
ago, is still in effect, but the main library provides the staff.
(Taken from Where the Books Are by Patricia W. Belding)
Where we are in Barre, Vermont:
Aldrich Public library is located in the heart of downtown
Barre City, at the corner of Elm & Washington Streets, overlooking
historic City Hall Park. Metered parking is available directly
behind the library.
Mission Statement:
The aldrich Public library is committed to serving all residents
of Barre City and Barre Town and welcomes all others. *The library's
purpose is: *to encourage life-long learning and enjoyment by
providing, in a welcoming atmosphere, access to books, reference
materials and other current sources of information; *to introduce
children to the world of books and learning at an early age;
and *to enhance and preserve the cultural life and heritage of
the community through meetings, programs, exhibits, discussion
groups and other events.
Donations:
Donated books, both new and used, are accepted throughout
the year. Monetary gifts are often given in honor of birthdays
and anniversaries or to honor the memory of a loved one or friend.
Patrons are invited to "adopt an author," receiving
first chance to read the author's latest works upon publication
in return for purchasing the library's copy at cost. Historical
items of local interest are welcome gifts to the archives and
museum.
How is the library Paid For?
Aldrich library relies upon the communities of Barre City
and Barre Town for approximately half our annual income. The
remainder comes from the generous support of local clubs, companies,
and individuals who contribute in many ways, both financial and
in-kind. A small endowment supplements our revenues. NOTE: Of
the ten large libraries in Vermont serving a population over
10,000, aldrich has by far the lowest per capita support: just
$6 per person. Vermont state average is $12. Your help is needed
and very welcome! Contact the library at 476-7550 for more information
about giving.