What is an Athenaeum?
Athenaeum 1. "An institution, such as a literary club or scientific academy, for the promotion of learning." 2. "A place, such as a library, where printed materials are available for reading." (American Heritage Dictionary, 3rd Ed. )
The Athenaeum in Athens was a sanctuary of Athena (goddess of wisdom, fertility, the useful arts, and prudent warfare) built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian and frequented by poets and men of learning. ( Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 1967 Ed.)
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is a private, nonprofit public library and art gallery located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The Athenaeum fills two roles: it serves the people of St. Johnsbury by enriching their lives, and it stands as a regional and national treasure - a monument to the nineteenth-century belief in learning. The Athenaeum is a legacy of the Fairbanks Family of St. Johnsbury, inventors and manufacturers of the world's first platform scale, who gave the Athenaeum to the town of St. Johnsbury in 1871. With his wealth Horace Fairbanks created a center of culture for the people of his town - a true "athenaeum."
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum at a glance (PDF)
A brief history of St. Johnsbury (PDF)
Other Athenaeums
There are approximately 10 scattered across the country. See our Resources page for links to these institutions.
Directions
From I-91 heading North: take Exit 20. Bear right onto US 5 North. Go straight to the first stop sign. this is the intersection of Railroad St. and Eastern Ave. Turn left and drive up the hill. The Athenaeum is on the left side of Main St. at the intersection of Eastern Avenue.
From I-91 heading South: take Exit 21. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto US2 East. Proceed one mile into St. Johnsbury, bear left at St. Johnsbury Academy. The Athenaeum is on the left, at the top of the intersection of Eastern Avenue.
From I-89 heading South: Take Montpelier exit, follow US 2 East 40 miles to St. Johnsbury. Bear left at St. Johnsbury Academy. The Athenaeum is on the left, at the top of the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Main St.
Parking is available behind the Athenaeum or along Main St. or Eastern Avenue. Handicapped spaces are marked. Handicapped accessibility to the main floor of the Athenaeum is provided from the back parking lot.
Dowload a brief history of St. Johnsbury, Vermont- Make PDF file.
Hours of Operation
The Athenaeum is open year - round during the following hours:
Monday: 10:00
AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00
AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 10:00
AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM to 4:00
PM
Sunday: Closed
Athenaeum Newsletter
Download past newsletters (PDF)
Last update: 8/6/07