150th Anniversary: Home

Celebrating 150 years at the Morse Institute Library!
The original Morse Institute Library building, designed by George B. Thayer and constructed by Underwood Brothers, was dedicated on December 25, 1873. It's been an honor serving our patrons through providing books, programs, and community spaces for any and all.
Read more about our history
Our History in Snapshots
1808
Samuel Morse’s bookcase, from 1808 containing 100 books, was the original collection of the nascent Morse Institute Library.
1874
Tthe original library building as it appeared in 1874 before the copula was removed.
1874
One of the stained glass rose windows, restored for the renovations in the 1990s.
1952
Bringing books to the community for decades. This is a picture of the MIL bookmobile in 1952.
1950s
Children’s Story time 1950s in the original library building
1960s
The renovations of the 1960s expanded our children’s department.
1980s
An incognito story time in the children’s department complete with glasses and beards.
1980s
MIL has been supporting STEM education for decades. Here we have a young patron using our computers in the 1980s.
1996
The Morse Institute Library after the renovations of 1996.
2007
MIL has a long history of supporting veterans. This bench was dedicated to the Women Veterans of Natick in 2007.