Converse Memorial Library

The Converse Memorial Library – also known as the Converse Memorial Building – is a historically significant building designed by noted American architect H. H. Richardson, built in the “Richardson Romanesque” style. From 1885 to 1996, it housed the Malden Public Library, which now occupies a modern building adjacent to it. The library is located at 36 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts. Dora St. Martin is the Director of the Malden Public Library and curator of the Converse Memorial Building and art collection.

The building was a gift of Elisha S. and Mary D. Converse in memory of their late son, Frank Eugene Converse, who at age 17 was the victim of the first bank robbery murder in North America. It was constructed 1883-1885 in an overall L-shape, with a facade of brown Longmeadow sandstone, a tower rising from the L's inner corner, and a heavily arched entry porch set within the L's short arm. The main library room is 50 x 36 feet and finished in elaborately carved white oak with a high vaulted ceiling. Its furniture was designed by Richardson and manufactured by the Boston firm of A. H. Davenport and Company.

In 1896, two additions were made to the building, designed by Richardson's successor firm, Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge. One gable-roofed wing extends the building to the rear, along Park Street, following the same general lines of the existing structure. The other addition was a flat-roofed rectangular stack area also attached to the rear. An octagonal gallery space further extended the rear in 1916, designed by Newhall & Blevins.

The Converse Memorial Building was the last of Richardson's library designs, as he died the following year, and is generally considered among his finest works. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

From the first report of the Free Public Library Comission of MA, 1891

 From the report of the Free Public Library Comission of MA, 1904