Building History

black & white picture of the library

The Hubbardston Public Library was founded in 1872, and originally housed its collection of books in the local Mechanics Hall. In 1874, Jonas G. Clark, a native of Hubbardston and founder of Clark University, purchased the Main Street Property and funded the construction of the brick and stone library building. 
The building is in the Second Empire/Italianate style and was designed by Elbridge Boyden and Son, of Worcester. In September 1875, the Hubbardston Public Library opened the doors at its 7 Main Street location, where you can find it today. The first floor was originally half library, half post office, hence the  plaques you might notice flanking the front door. The gallery level was added to the rear of the building in 1929. Many residents recall the gallery's original translucent glass floor.
The property underwent a historical restoration project in 2000 to address many of its needed repairs.
In 2016, the library had an interior restoration which included restoring the original heart pine floors, new carpet in the entry, electrical work, a new sunny yellow paint in the children's room and some new furnishings.
In 2019, the library roof was replaced with slate tiles in the original pattern laid down almost 150 years ago.