Aldrich Public Library, public library in Barre, Vermont
The Aldrich Public Library is a neoclassical brick building with granite accents standing at the corner of Washington and Elm Streets in Barre, Vermont. The two-story structure features three front sections with Ionic columns framing the main entrance, original oak furnishings inside, two fireplaces, and a distinctive glass floor overlooking the stacks.
The library was built in 1907-1908 using funds from Leonard Frost Aldrich's estate, a local businessman who wanted to support this project before his death in 1898. Earlier book collections appeared around 1848 in local shops, later evolving into two subscription libraries that eventually merged into the institution that exists today.
The library bears the name of Leonard Frost Aldrich, a successful local businessman whose estate made this institution possible. Today, residents and visitors experience it as a gathering place where the community comes together to read, study, and participate in shared learning.
The building sits in the heart of downtown at the corner of Washington and Elm Streets, easily accessible on foot from most neighborhoods. Parking is available nearby, and the entrance is reached by granite steps bordered by iron globe lights that guide the way.
A distinctive feature is the glass floor in the main reading room that allows visitors to look down at the book stacks below, a detail that children find especially engaging. The roof displays an ornate granite frieze carved with 'The Passing of the Torch of Learning'.
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