Founded in 1874 “largely through the efforts of Rev. George S. Shaw,” the Ashby Library was originally housed in a private residence and open to the public Tuesday and Friday afternoons. In 1902, businessman and Civil War veteran Edwin Chapman donated funds to construct a new building to serve as the library in his hometown.

Today the Ashby Free Public Library occupies the same building and opened an 8,000 square-foot passive solar addition in the early 2000s, intended to serve as a model for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The two-story structure houses a children’s library on the lower level. The upper level contains a young adult’s area, main adult library, periodicals, and director’s offices.

Photo courtesy of Ashby Free Public Library