B is for Belchertown
Clapp Memorial Library
The hour and a half drive flew by as my friend, sister in law, and chauffeur Katie, was so much fun to be with! Katie notices the cool architecture of the Belchertown library every time she visits her daughter at UMASS. Her observation was spot on.
This library is dramatic and imposing from the outside. Once I opened the large wooden door and stepped in I felt like I was in a combination welcoming country estate/museum/church.
Front and center was the librarians desk where Malinda and Annie sat just waiting for crazy library adventurers like myself and Katie to come and ask a ton of questions. These two librarians were full of stories, historical information, folklore, and book recommendations.
One end of the library has a huge stained glass window showing a literary figure in a striking red dress. Annie told us as the sun sets the women's dress turns from red to white and her skins darkens. Malinda commented that she didn't believe at first, but confirms that it is true! The second amazing stained glass window didn't perform any tricks, but was impressive none the less.
Did you know that the movie, Labor Day was filmed in Belchertown!? Coincidentally parts of the movie were also filmed in our hometown of Mansfield.
How long do you think it would take you do a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle? My guess would be around 10 hours. The library has team puzzle competitions. So popular they have a wait list! Two teams. Both teams get the same puzzle that they had never seen before. The record set was just over 12 minutes!!! The races are schedule in the morning, so we are guessing retired folks are kick-butt puzzler doers!
There is a rumor that there was/is a tunnel that connected the library to a beautiful Victorian house across the street. It was the home of one of the Clapp brothers who the library is named for. Why would one need a tunnel? We had fun speculating. The librarians can not confirm its existence.
Is the Belchertown library haunted?? The TV show, Ghost Hunters filmed an episode called, "Words From Beyond". Not sure any evidence was found, but if I were a ghost I would be happy to call this library home.
Malinda suggested we visit the Forbes library in Northampton when we reach the letter "N" Apparently they have a fish that is 37 years old!! Oh yeah, it also houses the presidential library of Calvin Coolidge.
There is a library built on the border of Vermont and Canada. Half of the library in the U.S. The other half in Canada. The way Annie described this library definitely made us want to visit. Evidently post 9/11 there are some unique rules about where you can and cannot stand on sidewalks depending on which country you enter and which you exit. It is the Haskell Free library and Opera House. Worth a trip? I think so!
As we were leaving I asked a group of knitters if I could take their picture. A lot of knitting, coffee drinking, and talking was taking place. I briefly described my "library adventure" and asked if they minded a photo being taken. The women at the head of the table smiled and said, "We're old women from the country. We're not afraid of anything!" They meet around the big wooden table on a regular basis and call themselves "The Woolies." It was the perfect way to end our visit at this very old, very friendly, and way cool library.
I did leave with book recommendations. Both librarians read a lot of fantasy, while my go to genre is historical fiction. They suggested I check out the author Michelle Moran for historical fiction reads. I am also going to try the middle grade series, The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall.
I am may have to return in April when they have their annual book sale. Apparently people come from all over to check out this event.
After leaving the Clapp Library we headed to UMASS. We visited with my niece (A.K.A. Katie's daughter) Annie. It was sunny and nearly 60 degrees, making it a perfect afternoon to walk around Amherst. Annie is an English major and great to talk books with AND she is an awesome tour guide. Lunch was delicious! She showed us the Amherst library that has a vaulted, glass ceiling room that she likes to study in. We popped into a book store and finally, Insomnia Cookies.
I know I mentioned that the Arlington library was going be hard to beat. Impossible to compare as they are dramatically different. Obviously I (and my side-kicks) loved both. Unique is a word I think I will be using a lot as I/we travel the state from A to Z.
Next library: Cambridge. I have another niece to visit at this one.
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