Boston Public Library

 

The Grand Staircase dedicated to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865 

For those who hold libraries reverently, the Boston Public Library is among those stately buildings that can rightly be called a temple of knowledge. The McKim building opened in 1895, after its cornerstone was laid in 1888. It is touted as the first free, urban, municipally funded large public library, which seems to be a lot of qualifiers, but its historical importance is not in doubt.

Architecturally stunning, the building is a monument to the importance of learning and knowledge to late 19th-century American life. Although today we may disagree on what should be known, or even how we know, the dedication to, and glorification of, information is stunning. As such, I always consider the library as one of my top destinations while in Boston.  

The Abbey Room

On the second floor of the library, the Abbey Room features murals by Edwin Austin Abbey. Installed between 1895 and1902, the paintings are based on Sir Galahad’s quest for the holy grail. Abbey used as inspiration Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s version of the story contained in the epic poem, Idylls of the King. The explanation of the room argued that most library patrons of time, would have been familiar with the poem. The fin-de-siècle American art reflects more a romantic vision that contemporaries in Europe, but gives one conveys the mood of the library.  

“The maidens welcome Sir Galahad”

“Sir Galahad becomes king of Sarras and builds a Golden Tree. He achieves the Grail and his spirit ascends from earth.”

Bates Hall is an example of a reading room that most people think of when thinking about a classic library. Although perhaps not as grandiose as the reading room at the New York City library, it is still awe inspiring, and made me want to sit down, pull out my notebook, and start studying or writing.

 

Bates Hall

The third floor of the library houses, the “Triumph of Religion,” works by John Singer Sargent installed 1885-1919.