The town of Andover in Essex County, Massachusetts, is steeped in history. Settled in 1642, just north of Boston, Andover is a timeless small-town of Americana.

Like in most traditional towns, the Memorial Hall Library has stood the test of time. The project was funded by Andover’s local business community and built in 1873. Styled in Italianate design, Memorial Hall was both a town library and Civil War memorial. The timeless design and historical significance listed Memorial Hall on the American National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Understandably, it hasn’t gone without changes. Between 1987 and 1989, library officials added a roof deck to the historic building. However, funds for the space ran out, leaving it empty and unused for decades.

Now, after thirty years, and $181,000 in public funds, Memorial Hall has taken a step out of the past and into the future.

“We’re looking to make more space for people to work in the building, because libraries have become a community space where people come to work.

“We needed more room, and people wanted outside areas – we did the patio at the back that has been spectacularly beautiful and useful. So, we figured that we could have this big expansion of the library and a place that people would like to be for a relatively small amount of money, so we started working on it and the town agreed and got it done.”

– Beth Mazin, Director, Memorial Hall Library 

Two 24×14 motorized waterproof retractable canopies were installed over the 675 square foot space. The canopies are titled and include a rain hood to manage water run-off outside the roof deck, protecting the patrons from rain.

With the help of Thibault Architecture and Eaglepoint Builders, we are proud to have etched ourselves into a little piece of Andover’s history, and future.

Source: Memorial Hall Library debuts new roof deck