Benton Library Has its own Chapter in Belmont’s History

Constructed in 1892, the building that would eventually become the E.C. Benton Library was originally a chapel for the Belmont School for Boys. It was designed in the country Gothic style by the architectural firm Dull and Dallney. Seven years later, the school merged with Milton Academy and the chapel remained unoccupied until it was purchased in 1903 by Col. Everett C. Benton.

Benton and his family lived in the Bellmont mansion, part of the original estate of John Perkins Cushing, who was instrumental in incorporating the town of Belmont 50 years previously. Benton made the chapel available for public meetings, including the early services of the Payson Park Congregational Church and Belmont Methodist Church before those congregations constructed their own permanent buildings.

When Col. Benton died in 1924, his widow and children offered the building to the town of Belmont as a branch library. After some minor renovations that included adding shelving against the building’s wainscoting, the town opened the Benton Branch Library on June 10, 1930.

In 2009, Belmont decided that maintaining the building as a branch of the municipal library was not financially sustainable and closed the building’s doors for over two years. In 2011, though still owned by the town, the library reopened under the guidance of a newly formed organization, Friends of Benton Library. The nonprofit, led by Belmont resident Elizabeth Gibson since its inception, is supported exclusively by private donations and volunteers. Since its reopening twelve years ago, the library has steadily added new books to its shelves and new patrons. The mysteries and children’s books are particularly popular.