Activity Overview
Opened in 1750, while our country was still under British rule, The Redwood Library and Athenæum is the nation's oldest lending library in America.
Housed in a magnificent building modeled after a Grecian Temple, the Redwood Library has an impressive collection and history, serving in the past as a refuge for such literary dignitaries as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edith Wharton.
A stroll around the Library's grounds will reveal Fernleaf beech and red dwarf Japanese maple trees, and also some lovely flowers and shrubs, including andromeda, rhododendron, juniper, arbor vitae and mountain laurels.
In addition, one will find on the grounds the Abraham Redwood Summer House, a National Historic Landmark and a fine example of Colonial-era architecture.
Things to Do
- For $5 per person, take a 1/2 hour guided tour, which can be tailored to suit the interests of the group, from art to literature, history, architecture or the library's special collections.
- A self-guided tour can also be taken with materials available at the Reference Desk.
- Check the calendar for the library's many lectures and educational and cultural activities.
- Visit the Children's section of the Library and check the calendar for story times and art and writing workshops.
Redwood Library and Athenaeum Insider Tips
- Free parking and street parking available.
- Open late on Wednesday evenings.
