Overview:
Across Europe and North America, a truly amazing institution occupies corners of the urban scene. Whether along a cobbled lane, tucked away, or in a modern settling, a city’s Athenaeum serves the community in a variety of ways. Athenaeum may sound like a clique location, set aside for only intellectuals or “hip” college students debating philosophy or science. However, an Athenaeum is a refuge from the busy world around us and offers a retreat from vibrating phones. Books – old and new – line the walls, creating cozy nooks and crannies waiting to be discovered. Armchairs and desks provide a space to read and study. Current periodicals and newspapers also provide information and entertainment. The “vibes” are not elite but approachable. This article seeks to shed light on an overlooked gem and open a door into these fascinating spaces.
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – It’s the smell that first greets you. Full in the face and permeated with the aroma of paper. The inside of an Athenaeum serves as a portal into another world. One might call it a library, and it is, but it is also something far more.
Polite staff members greet you and answer any questions you might have. Time seems to stand still in a space familiar and yet unfamiliar. It’s as if you’ve been here before, but cannot remember when you came. The silence seems full of unspoken thoughts and ideas – but it isn’t stifling.
Described as a “cool tree house for adults,” an Athenaeum reminds us of those long, languid summer days spent reading in the backyard. Think of an athenaeum as a sanctuary and collection. It represents what a specific culture and people value, preserved for fortune generations.
What is an Athenaeum?
“The term athenaeum conjures up centuries past, but our founders were forward-thinking leaders of their time. They gathered a community of curious thinkers to share ideas, culture, and literature. Well over two hundred years later, our mission hasn’t changed, it’s expanded,” Joyce Maroney, Board President of the Salem Athenaeum, said in August 2024.
The word itself comes from classical Greek, derived from the name Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Although the world of toga-clad philosophers may seem far removed, its ideas remain pillars of the West. The concepts of self-government, democracy, and even debate persist. Higher percentages of Europeans learned how to read throughout the Renaissance. Combined with the invention of movable type, books became more available. Not only could nobles and kings read, but the common man and woman found new opportunities to obtain and read books.
As time progressed, libraries became more accessible, especially in Great Britain and other parts of Europe. In Manchester, England, the first public library opened its doors in 1653 for students.
In British North America, notable cities, i.e., Boston and Philadelphia, received books shipped for colonists. This was done for the express purpose of providing access to a variety of subjects.
Open Pages, Open Minds
In August, Presence News visited the Athenaeum in Providence. Established in 1836, the library opened its doors after two prior institutions closed. The Providence Athenaeum and the Providence Library Company were unable to merge. The space is light and airy, which may surprise visitors. It’s full of rare and interesting books spanning multiple subjects and non-fiction.
Every place holds a few surprises as well. According to the Athenaeum, Mary Angell was its first female employee, in 1872. She worked as an assistant librarian. “As part of her (Angell) duties, she began working on the card catalog which still sits on the library’s main floor. Her handwritten cards from the nineteenth century can still be found inside,” stated the website.
Less than 20 athenaeums exist today in the United States, with the majority of locations on the East Coast. As public libraries opened and society changed in the late 19th centuries, athenaeums found themselves a tad overlooked. Some occupy historic streets and buildings, i.e., Boston, Philadelphia, Newport, and Rhode Island. Others, such as Pasadena, CA, give off a more modern vibe.
Moments of Calm
We must face an inevitable fact: our fingers often do the talking these days. For the average American, typing messages is more common than an actual conversations. Public health officials have expressed concern regarding younger generations knowing how to communicate apart from their smartphone.
Clinical psychologist Lisa Damour told NPR in 2024, “Too much time on social media gets in the way of things that we know are good for kids. It’s like getting a lot of sleep, spending time with people, and interacting face to face. Being physically active and focusing on their schoolwork in a meaningful way is important, too. So that’s one place that we worry about that they are missing out on things that are good for overall growth.”
Athenaeums offer an oasis of quiet and calm, and even a children’s section where books and other social activities are available. Children and young people are welcome in these historic spaces. Digital items are also available in the form of DVDs.
Traditions and New Horizons
From art to rare manuscripts, athenaeums are well-worth a visit. However, if you happen to live nearby, memberships open even more doors for discovery and participation. Concerts, discussions, and designated seating areas help foster a sense of belonging and community.
After all, don’t we crave to belong? Fostering new ideas springs from the rich soil of our past. History is never unblemished, yet we can learn those lessons and carry them forward into the future.
The architecture itself, often modeled after Grecian or Roman temples, speaks of permanence and an enduring quality. Duncan Stroik, professor of architecture at the University of Notre Dame and member of the New Classical Movement, said during a presentation, “If you want your buildings to last, you’re going to build them well. If you want them to speak to the human spirit, they also need to be timeless. The classical aspires to the timeless and to speak to people today and to the future. One of the things that is crucial for buildings to be loved is beauty. Beauty is reliant on good design and good craft.” The next time you find yourself wandering the streets of a historic city, check to see if there is an athenaeum. If you find one, go and see what wonders you discover. Reap the benefits to your soul.
