Library Renovation > The Building
Cary Memorial Library, 1867-2002: A Historic Building Looks Towards a New Millennium
 In 1867, Mrs. Maria Hastings Cary offered the town of Lexington $1,000 to establish a free public library for the inhabitants of Lexington. As part of this gift's stipulations, the town was to provide a building, maintain it and keep it open without charge to all inhabitants.
On January 27, 1869, Cary Library was  opened to the public. The library was first housed in two rooms above Bradford Whitcher's store on Main Street (now Massachusetts Avenue) opposite Meriam Street.
In 1871, the library moved to the first floor of the old Town Hall, given to the Town of Lexington by Maria Hastings Cary. The Old Town Hall was located on Main Street (now Massachusetts Avenue), opposite Waltham Street.
In 1906, the Cary Library moved into new quarters at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Clarke Street. Miss Alice Butler Cary, daughter of Maria Cary, gave the land and funding for the building in memory of her mother.
Further additions to the library were made in 1957 and 1975.
 The library, ca 2003, will feature additional space for library materials, an expanded Children's Library, provisions for technology throughout the building, and compliance with ADA standards.
Historical photographs from A Century of Service, 1868-1968. Lexington, Mass.: Cary Memorial Library, 1968.
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