History of the Westfield Athenaeum

The Westfield Athenaeum’s mission “to enrich the diverse community of Westfield by providing open access to educational, cultural, recreational and informational resources and programs” grew out of certain Westfield citizens’ efforts to create a library for their community. Below are the highlights of this institution’s history, and its continued commitment to serve the people of Westfield.

First Westfield Libraries

1830: Attorney William G. Bates forms Westfield’s first library association – the Westfield Social Library.

1850:

• • H.B. Smith purchases the books from Bates and runs a circulating library from his bookstore.
  • Dr. Simeon Shurtleff purchases books and leaves the books to the Westfield Athenaeum.

Seeds of Westfield Athenaeum

1864:

• • The Westfield Athenaeum incorporated by an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, Chapter 88
  • Hiram H. Harrison, American Whip Company president, announces he will provide a library and reading room for the town. 
  • A brick brownstone building erected at 26 Main Street. 
  • Ten thousand dollars is raised by private subscription for the purchase of books. 

1868: The Westfield Athenaeum opens its doors on January 1st. $2.00 annually allows full use of the library.

1895: The library becomes free to all Westfield residents fourteen years or older. 

Evolution of Present Day Athenaeum Buildings

1898: The trustees of the Westfield Academy convey the land and building on the corner of Court and Elm Streets to the Athenaeum. The house is remodeled for library use.

1899:

• • The Fowler-Gillett Homestead is dedicated on March 6th.
  • M.B. Whitney, President of the Athenaeum (1893-1915) leaves the library $80,000 for building and remodeling to meet the growing need for larger library.

1927:

• • A new building and the remodeled Fowler-Gillett Homestead for the Boys and Girls Library is dedicated.
  • The Jasper Rand Art Museum opens – a gift of Mrs. Florence Rand Lang in honor of her father and grandfather. 

1928:

• • The Edwin Smith Historical Museum opens – a gift of William T. Smith in honor of his father. 
  • The original library building on Main Street was torn down.

Expansion of library and services

1966: Dedication of a new main library wing and extension to the Boys and Girls Library which double the Athenaeum’s floor space.

1972: Bookmobile begins service and makes 30 stops per week.

1973:  The Branch Library service begins at the New Westfield High School with a 2,000-volume collection.

1986: The library joins the C/W MARS automated materials sharing network and automates collection of over 120,000 items, providing access to our circulating collections via the web.

First Major Budget and Service Cuts

1990: Branch Library and the Edwin Smith Historical Museum close and Bookmobile service is terminated due to budget constraints. 

Expanding Community Services Despite Budget Constraints

2003:

• • The Edwin Smith Historical Museum reopens thanks to a grant from Westfield Bank and a tremendous volunteer effort. New programs added: 
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), 
  • General Equivalency Degree (GED and Pre-GED), 
  • The Athenaeum Lecture Series 
  • A lunchtime concert series.

2007: A new Teen Loft opened, thanks to a bequest from Herbert and Josephine Burk.

2008: 

• • The Florence Rand Lang Auditorium renovated.
  • EDWIN Online project begins scanning and digitizing archival materials from the Edwin Smith Historical Museum and the Blair Research Center.

Renovations and Perserverence Through a Global Pandemic

2010:

• • The Archives at the Athenaeum acquired what is thought to be the only remaining authentic Richard Falley musket in existence.
    
  • The Story of Westfield Mural by David Fichter is finished and revealed to the public.
    
  • The Westfield Kiwanis Foundation donates six computers for use by Athenaeum teens for homework and to practice their computer skills.
    

2014:

• • The Westfield Athenaeum celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  • Dr. Bob Brown, local historian and a longtime supporter of the Athenaeum, donates his vast collection of ephemera to the Archives.
    

2017: Building and renovation “Rise for Knowledge” project for accessibility launches.

2021: Despite closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Westfield Athenaeum is able to provide an abundant amount of homebound delivery, Library-To-Go and video storytime services for our community.

2022:

• • The Elizabeth Stewart Reed Room is renovated to house a permanent History of Westfield museum display and launches its first temporary exhibition since the renovation: “Westfield in the Roaring Twenties” which displayed dresses and advertisements from the Victorian era around the turn of the 20th century.

2023:

• • The Elizabeth Stewart Reed Room launches its second temporary exhibition: “Courage in Action”, which showcases local veterans and their service from the Revolutionary War up to the Gulf War. 
    
  • The Edwin Smith Museum is renovated and the collections displayed are overhauled to present a new narrative for visitors to follow. The museum is open on Saturdays, watched over by volunteer docents.

Today and Beyond

• • The Athenaeum continues to collect and loan books, DVDs and audiobooks.
  • We purchase non-print materials and electronic information and online programs to meet growing demand for changing technology resources.

The Westfield Athenaeum is a vibrant library, continuously being updated with materials, technology, programs and services for the Westfield Community. To learn more about our mission and goals for the future, check out our Mission Statement & Annual Report.