A donation from rubber-shoe tycoons Elisha and Mary Slade Converse helped establish the Converse Art Galleries at the Malden Public Library in 1885. More than a century later, visitors still seek out this collection of global and local artwork spanning three rooms. Featured artists include Albion Bicknell, Perle Fine, Katsushika Hokusai, Frank Stella, JMW Turner, and James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

The library frequently hosts art exhibitions and tours where visitors can learn more about the collection. Other special collections relating to Malden history can be found in the library’s Converse Room.