Did you know that if you walk through the Malden Public Library’s old entrance…
And go up these stairs…
At first, it may just seem like another quiet area in the building. But soon you’ll discover you walked into the Malden Public Library’s often missed photo exhibit.
It’s located by the old entrance, which served as the library’s main gathering area, before the renovation was completed in 1990, making it hidden from the public eye.
As you walk inside, paintings fill every wall. Each painting tells a story that captures a moment from America’s history. Senior student Ismail Elbahlawan explained how he had never known about this art gallery until recently and explained how he “didn’t expect to learn as much” just by “walking through a few rooms.”
One painting in particular tends to catch people’s eye more than the rest. Towering over the rest is Lincoln at Gettysburg, which librarian Marita Coombs shared some information about that most viewers may not know. “General Howard, who is in this painting, actually came back to this very library and saw this painting. Rumor is that he cried when he saw this.” Knowing that someone depicted in this piece came and saw it for themselves adds so much depth to this artwork.
And honestly, it’s really cool to know that you’re standing in the same place a historic figure once stood.
Coombs gave more information on the other men included in this painting. “Edward Everett, who was the most prominent speaker of his day, was invited to give the keynote address at the national cemetery before Lincoln did.” She explained the significance of Everett, and how his speech lasted two hours, contrary to Lincoln’s two minutes.
She walked us through some more paintings, such as Storm over Lanesville, Venice, The Reader, Woe in Yellow, and more.
“When you look really close while creating a painting, I can’t imagine seeing the outcome,” Coombs emphasized her awe with every painting in the photo gallery and the process by which they were created.
“How are you seeing all this detailed work, and seeing how the haze of the day makes everything disappear? The idea of seeing how it will look in the end and playing with the colors, the lights, and shadows. There’s a lot about the brain that I don’t quite get, and I don’t think my brain is too dimensional, but to be able to see all these dimensions and the sizes, like in the painting Lincoln at Gettysburg, feels unreal,” Coombs explained.
Along with historical pieces, there are more creative and interpretive pieces as well. The gallery’s most recent painting is a fairy with a butterfly on her head. She’s seen as half human, half mechanic, as she has one normal leg wearing a high heel and the other, a mechanical leg.
What’s interesting is how different people react to it. Young children tend to see the butterfly on her head and view the painting as magical and appealing, while others’ eyes go straight to the leg and find it unsettling.
“I immediately thought the painting was creepy, but as I looked at it more, I appreciated the painting’s overall beauty,” Elbahlawan stated.
Do you own or have ever owned a pair of Converse sneakers? Whether you do or don’t, this next information may be of interest to you.
The famous Converse brand traces its originality right back here to Malden, and it’s actually connected to the Malden Public Library itself. Elisha Slade Converse, Malden’s first mayor, was also the man who had founded the Boston Rubber Shoe Company. Before the Converse brand became widely popular, it invested in Malden’s future by helping build and fund for this public library. The library was built in honor of Elisha Slade Converse and Mary Converse’s son, Frank Converse, in the 1880s.
You might be wondering what happened to Frank Converse. The backstory to this memorial isn’t as wholesome as you may think.
Do you know that big clock you always see in Pleasant Street, never warranting a second thought? Well, it actually used to be a bank where a bank robbery took place, taking the life of Frank Converse.
His life tragically ended at the age of 17, when he was shot and killed while working as a bank clerk, in what is known to be one of the earliest and fatal bank robberies in American history.
“I go to the library a lot, but it never occurred to me that there was a backstory this meaningful, and I’m surprised I never knew about it. I think it’s cool how the Converse family chose to honor this son with this library,” senior student Janiyah Warner stated.
Next time you visit the Malden Public Library, take a chance to explore beyond the books. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or just learning something new, this exhibit offers more than you might expect.
If you’re interested in learning more about Malden’s history and seeing paintings like the ones described in this article, I encourage you to check out the Malden Public Library art gallery, available to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays.
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