Peabody Institute Library Reopens Renovated Historic Main Room

What began as a project to upgrade and replace the Peabody Institute Library’s HVAC system has transformed the Main Room back to its original 19th century look, aptly naming it the Historic Main Room.

With beautiful wooden framed double windows and reflective paneled ceilings, engineer Dennis O’Leary and architect David Torrey of RDK Engineers created an energy efficient and historically aesthetic quality to the library. In the late 1970's a massive renovation and five-story addition was added on the library’s west side. The renovation did not keep the original historic quality in tact. 

O’Leary said working together with Torrey they were able to bring the efficiency of the building up to date, while at the same time restoring the main room backs to its 19th century feel. The reflective lighting on the ceiling is not only energy efficient it also is acoustically pleasing for reading and working on the computer Torrey added.

Donald McAllister, president of the library's board of trustees, said with every other room having a name associated with it, they needed to find a fitting name for the main room. With the renovation bringing the room back to its original feel coupled with the fact that Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes both spoke in the room, it seemed appropriate to name the room the Historic Main Room.

“This room has housed major philanthropical figures, this is a wonderful time to remember that,” he added.

Thomas Walsh, president of the Peabody Institute Library Foundation, commented on how many good things happened to help make the project possible. As a way to help sustain the newly renovated room each window in the Historic Main Room will be available for sponsorship. Local residents, friends or businesses will have the opportunity to sponsor a window for year or more, a golden plaque with the acknowledgement or business name will be displayed on the front of the window pane.

Although he said the last thing he wants people doing in the library is looking out the window, it is a wonderful way to give back to the library. All the money raised will go directly back to sustaining the library services.

During the renovation, the library staff had rearrange much of the library’s books and equipment to create space for the work and also allow access to their materials. McAllister said during that time the library staff must have moves 60,000 to 100,000 books back and forth to create space. Loosely referencing a 1920s expression referring to the New York Yankees, he said this is the library George and Martha built, referring to George Peabody and Martha Holden, the library's director.

“First, I would like to thank everyone else,” Holden said.

Especially George Peabody, she added, for creating the library as a free education and resource for the residents.

“I would like to thank the residents for keeping it going,” she added.

She went on to say how no matter what different background, class or place a person comes from, the library is a place for anyone and a place everyone can feel important.

The project, which first broke ground in September, primarily began to upgrade the HVAC system and make the building more energy efficient. Holden said the control system, which was more than 30 years old, was beginning to fail and they new they would need to replace it. The historical renovations have really opened the space and brought back the original sentiment.

“I am absolutely thrilled with how it looks, the color the light – I love working in the new space,” Holden said.

Holden said she doesn’t want to minimize how the construction has disrupted the library and its patrons, it was noisy and inconvenient, she said she appreciates their patience and understanding. Although the HVAC project is not completed, the library wanted publicly thank and reopen the Historic Main Room.

“A library is so important, it is one of top places you can have in your city, it is an extension of education,” said State Senator Frank Berry, D-Peabody.