Athenaeum

The Athenaeum of Boston is one of the oldest, independent libraries in the United States.

In 1849, the current location opened at 10½ Beacon Street. It was the first space designed for the Boston Athenæum’s specific needs. The first floor held the sculpture gallery; the second, the library; and the third, the paintings gallery.

The architect was Edward Clarke Cabot, an artist and dilettante whose design was selected because his ingenious arch over graves in the Granary Burial Ground allowed more space on all floors above the basement level. The neo-Palladian façade of "Patterson sandstone" was unique in Boston and remains so today.

The Boston Athenæum included sculptures by John Frazee.

The Athenaeum is a common meeting place for members of the Arcanum when they wish to meet a prospective candidate.