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Historic libraries bring modern comfort to book lovers and history buffs in New England
New England athenaeums are private libraries with rare collections and cultural spaces that serve vibrant community roles, preserving history over 200 years, experts say.
- Recently, the Boston Athenaeum co-opened an exhibit by Allan Rohan Crite, while visitors report awe handling 19th-century volumes that feel like artifacts.
- Founded by merchants, doctors, writers, lawyers and ministers, athenaeums echo Greek temples and honor the goddess Athena, created as exclusive spaces for educated, wealthy members.
- Visitors climb cold granite steps, then pass through thick wooden doors into the Boston Athenaeum building, a 12-level structure with five gallery floors, ornate busts, and a nearly 7-foot bronze Athena Giustiniani statue.
- Patrons who use athenaeums for social activities can access public day passes and memberships at the Boston Athenaeum, costing from $17 to $42 a month, to foster community engagement.
- As time capsules, athenaeums preserve reading habits over more than 200 years, holding half a million books many predating patrons' great-great-grandparents.
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Total News Sources42
Leaning Left19Leaning Right3Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 37%
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