Founded in 1882 by George F. Sanborn, the Meredith Public
Library moved to several temporary sites around the village
until 1901, when Benjamin M. Smith donated his memorial
library building. B.M. Smith lived in Meredith Village
during the 1850s and '60s. Later he became a successful
hosiery salesman along the North Shore of Massachusetts
and used some of his life savings to build the library
"in remembrance of the years lived so pleasantly"
in Meredith. Mr. Smith's original $10,000 library with
its brick walls and slate roof was placed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1985. Terracotta is used
for the egg and dart detailing of the pilaster caps and
eave frieze. Both the building name and date appear in
raised granite letters. Note the carved book in the keystone
above the entrance. An addition to the building, completed
in 1988, employs the same materials as the original building,
and its two-story, arched gable window echoes the main
entry arch.
Meredith Public Library can be found by taking Route 3 to the lights in Meredith.
Turn left and go up the hill onto Main Street. Meredith
Public Library is located on the right side of Main Street.
