The Paige Memorial Library

Hardwick’s Paige Memorial Library was built in 1909.

Across the road and a few steps to the north of the Universalist Church stands the Paige Memorial Library, another Classical Revival municipal building. It was built in 1909 on the footprint of Hardwick High School, which preceded this building on this site but was destroyed by fire. Its design follows an "L" pattern with a small entry leading to an octagonal reception area with a circulation desk and file materials. Side wings lead to a reading room and stacks, plus offices.

The library concept began in 1881 with one room in a nearby commercial building, then owned by Hon. William Mixter, who donated the space. In 1888, Lucius Paige read his will at the Town's 150th anniversary celebration, which promised the Town his private library of 2,000 volumes plus $10,000 to maintain the library with two conditions. It must be named Paige Library to honor his ancestors and be located within one mile of the common.

The town library had been moved to the then-high school, but people worried the designated room was not fireproof. Their concerns were verified when the building burned in 1905, and the entire collection was lost. This building, the first in Hardwick to be built exclusively for a library, is indeed fireproof. Marble mosaic floors, a dome skylight, a handsome fireplace, and period chandeliers complete its magnificent interior. Exterior landscaping included benches, a historic beech tree, and flowering bulbs.