The community of Lunenburg had a number of libraries in its early days: the Social Library originated in 1792 with over fifty subscribers bearing the cost of 12 shillings a share; Colonel Cushing’s Circulating Library, from 1830 to 1850; Hayward’s Subscription Circulating Library; and the Philomathean Society, made up of young men, which operated from 1850 until 1856, when its small, well-selected library was auctioned off to its members. In the 1860s a Book Club Library and a Farmer’s Club had libraries as well.

All the various types of libraries led to the passage of a Massachusetts law allowing taxation of the town citizens to cover a public library. Lunenburg, led by resident George S. Boutwell, who as governor signed the law, was the third town in the state to adopt it. Gathering the books from all prior libraries, along with donations, a unified library was kept in various homes until moving into space in the town hall on June 24, 1868. The first Library Trustees were elected in 1901.

On August 13, 1908, the town voted to accept the offer of $10,000 from Miss Catherine E. Watson of Boston, Massachusetts, a descendent of David Ritter, a founder of the 1792 Social Library, to erect a new library building in memory of her mother Elizabeth Ritter Watson. The only conditions were that it stand on the old Revere Tavern lot, which for consideration of $1, had been purchased by the town on May 13, 1903, and that it be named The Ritter Memorial Library. Henry M. Francis and Sons Architects created the plans and Alpheus K. Francis, the builder, began work on September 26, 1908. After the death of A. K. Francis in December 1908, Sidney H. Francis completed the building. Ceremonies were held on May 30, 1909, at the library building, and a time box was securely walled into the Ritter Library to the right of the main entrance.

Over the years, little change occurred beyond the addition of a children’s wing in 1963, and the sandstone of the original building being painted white to match. In 2005 the new Lunenburg Public Library opened on Massachusetts Avenue near the Lunenburg Public Schools complex. The Ritter Memorial Building is now used as town offices.

Photo courtesy of the Sentinel & Enterprise