# Wright Memorial Library
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{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Wright Memorial Library
| nrhp_type =
| image = Wright_Memorial_Library.JPG
| location = [Duxbury, Massachusetts](/source/Duxbury%2C_Massachusetts)
| coordinates = {{coord|42|2|55|N|70|40|48|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Massachusetts#USA
| area =
| built = 1909
| architect = [Joseph Everett Chandler](/source/Joseph_Everett_Chandler); John Osborne Chesley, Jr.
| architecture = [Colonial revival](/source/Colonial_Revival_architecture) and [Modern](/source/Modern_architecture)
| added = July 11, 2007
| refnum = 07000680
[{{NRISref|2008a}}]
}}
'''Wright Memorial Library,''' more commonly known as the "Wright Building," is a historic library at 147 St. George Street in [Duxbury, Massachusetts](/source/Duxbury%2C_Massachusetts).
==Historic significance==
The Wright Building was donated to the [Town of Duxbury](/source/Duxbury%2C_Massachusetts) by Georgianna Wright (1837–1919), an influential citizen of Duxbury and philanthropist. In 1890, Wright had donated her guest house to serve as the first [Duxbury Free Library](/source/Duxbury_Free_Library). The wooden building soon grew too cramped and by 1906, Wright decided to fund the construction of a new building. Sparing no expense, she hired a well-known architect, [Joseph Everett Chandler](/source/Joseph_Everett_Chandler), to design a brick library in the [colonial revival](/source/Colonial_Revival_architecture) style. Other projects by Chandler include the [Frederic Adams Library](/source/Frederic_C._Adams_Public_Library) in [Kingston, Massachusetts](/source/Kingston%2C_Massachusetts) and the restoration of the [Paul Revere House](/source/Paul_Revere_House) in [Boston, Massachusetts](/source/Boston%2C_Massachusetts). The cornerstone was laid in 1907 and the building completed in 1909. A newspaper reporter present at the dedication noted some of the library's impressive features, including electric lighting and a reading room paneled in black cypress with gilded accents.[Browne and Forgit, 20-21.]
==Restoration==
In 1997, the Duxbury Free Library moved to new quarters, leaving the Wright Building empty. Used sporadically by various organizations for a few years, by 2004 the Wright Building was vacant and suffering decay. By a vote of Duxbury [Town Meeting](/source/Town_Meeting), [Community Preservation Funds](/source/Community_Preservation_Act) were appropriated and the Town of Duxbury undertook the extensive restoration of the building. The 1909 portion of the library was outfitted for use by the [Duxbury Rural and Historical Society](/source/Duxbury_Rural_and_Historical_Society) for their Drew Archival Library where historic documents are preserved. The 1968 addition was refurbished for use by the Duxbury Student Union Association. The Wright Building was re-dedicated on September 22, 2007, just slightly over one hundred years after the cornerstone was laid.[ It was listed on the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in July 2007.]