Forbes Library image

Forbes Library

Bar Tourist attraction Public library Library

Library containing research materials on the public & private life of President Calvin Coolidge. People often mention library, Coolidge, Library, presidential, Calvin, visit, beautiful, museum, Presidential, staff,


Address

20 West St, Northampton, MA 01060

Website

www.forbeslibrary.org

Contact

(413) 587-1011

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (104 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: (Memorial Day), Closed, Holiday hours
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 8 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: library (20) Coolidge (10) Library (10) presidential (7) Calvin (7) visit (7) beautiful (6) museum (6) Presidential (6) staff (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 Terri M. 5 years ago on Google
    This has to be the smallest presidential library in the USA. Despite its small size, there is a lot of information on the president and his family. Also there are also some very interesting Native American items that were given to the president. The library building is quite beautiful and worth a look see. There are parking meters in the library parking lot, $0.25 per hour and quarters only. If this review was helpful to you, please give it a like.
    15 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jonathan R. 6 years ago on Google
    Small but important! Calvin Coolidge was one of those presidents that I just sort of heard of (and memorized his name) but I knew literally nothing else about him. This museum solved all that. Personal effects, letters, photos- it was great :) It is a medium sized room and a reproduction of his law office. You can read everything and see anything in about 30 minutes. It is free.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M L. 7 years ago on Google
    If you have a few minutes to spare and appreciate American history, stop on by. The library has limited hours, but any of the librarians are happy to open it up and allow you to explore. The museum features many original possessions and artwork of Pres. Coolidge. Humble. Subtle. The presidential library that matches Silent Call to a T.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Melissa V. 1 year ago on Google
    It was my first visit to Forbes Library today. I was very happy with the layout of the building. There was an elevator to use in case stairs were not possible to climb. The circulation desk was helpful in giving the needed information about notary public service provided at the library. Appointments can be made to meet with one of the notary publics or if one happens to be on site, they are accessible.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeff W. 1 year ago on Google
    In our quest to visit all Presidential Libraries we took the opportunity to visit President Calvin Coolidge's in Northhampton MA. It is on the second floor of the Forbes Library. Although much smaller than more contemporary to me Presidential libraries like Johnson and Bush, it was a pleasant surprise and informative. It will take an hour if you read and view everything. It was worthwhile stop on our tour.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nobody S. 5 years ago on Google
    This Presidential Library and Museum is a bit small but has many historical artifacts. The museum is actually in Library, on the 2nd floor. I spend about 30 minutes looking through the exhibits. Even though small this place is an interesting stop.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adam W. 9 months ago on Google
    Really cool place with a large CD collection. Lots of cool artwork throughout the building and the landscaping is on point. But there is paid parking everywhere.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Char T. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic resources available, including rentable Wifi hotspots, board games, and craft magazines. Friendly and helpful staff and beautiful architecture. They've adapted really well to the pandemic and are definitely Covid careful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thomas 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful place. The kids center down stairs in the basement has a huge fish tank with some very big fish in it. My daughter loves it, we can sit there the hole time and just watch the fish swim around. The first floor up stairs from the kids center is a great place for adults, lots of space, if you wantnto kick back and read a book there's plenty of seats and tables to sit at, and they have some great spots way in the back if you want to be alone with you book or computer. They have computer free to use with a library card and they even have free Ansestory.com if you want to look up your family's past, absolutely amazing to find pictures of my great grandparents I've never seen before. And then on top of all this there's a amazing Presidential library and museum for our 30th President of the United states of America, Mr. Calvin Coolidge, its definitely a place to visit, they have artifacts and very important memorabilia from his presidency. I was blown away when I seen what they have there. It was a check on my bucket list of things to do after my first visit there. Please visit this place, it's a good lesson to younger kids.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris L. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited the Calvin Coolidge presidential library and had a great experience! The staff member inside the exhibit was very knowledgeable and answered any questions we had. Very well kept and informative. Coolidge’s former homes are also located nearby. A must-visit for any presidential fan.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mimi D. 4 years ago on Google
    My little family are regulars at this beautiful and we'll stocked library. Very welcoming even with my big dorky baby stroller.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Philomena N. 7 years ago on Google
    It's not really a presidential library; Mrs. Coolidge made the request that his office when he was a lawyer should be preserved. I believe even the door says Law Office. The Library could not turn down her request but that is a public library, not a presidential library site. His homestead is in Vermont; that's where most people go. I don't believe all presidents have libraries.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Leon C. 5 years ago on Google
    Library and Museum is a overstatement. The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum is a single room on the top floor of the Forbs Public Library. This rooms displays are open to the public but are among the smallest of the displays in the Library. Consisting of a few books a small assortment of effects. Including An Indian head dress, mechanical bull and a few photos. Much of the history of President Coolidge in Northampton, new Hampshire and Washington is glazed over.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jeffrey M. 5 years ago on Google
    Not an enormous collection in the museum part. Historical chronology of his life but not much on his presidency. The archivist wasn't there so I can't comment on the library contents.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alex S. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice librarians, well maintained, lots of cozy nooks to study in, open late!

  • 5/5 Murad C. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved the library and the friendly staff. Cosy atmosphere that you can study in peace. If you are here, please visit Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. It is upstairs. Spare some time and learn a lot of history about the 30th US president. There are a lot of memorable items and the staff in the library are more than happy to tell you all about them.

  • 5/5 Brian M. 1 year ago on Google
    I recently viewed the current Exhibit at the Hosmer Gallery , the art is Fantastic ! What a Great place to experience Original art !!!!

  • 5/5 Tony B. 1 year ago on Google
    Love having Forbes as my local library--it's an immensely high standard for any across the country

  • 5/5 Ben S. 1 year ago on Google
    It's SUCH a beautiful and fascinating building. I lived in Noho for about 15 months after graduating from Hampshire, and I did some of my grad school applications at Forbes when my apartment walls wore thin and I was climbing them. 🤣 The Montague Bookmill, Haymarket Cafe, Rao's Roast (in Amherst, now Share Coffee) & The Old Mill Inn Cafe in Hatfield all saw me a LOT during the mid-late Summer/early Fall of 1998. 🤪

  • 5/5 Hilary C. 1 year ago on Google
    Great public library - wonderful staff, amazing resources (musical instruments! museum passes!), beautiful building

  • 4/5 David K. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice library with lots of charm. Enjoyed the Calvin Coolidge presidential library too.

  • 5/5 katelyn b. 10 months ago on Google
    Amazing library and staff. Beautiful place to browse and read, wonderful art displayed and swapped out pretty regularly. Great collection , network is wonderful if you need to order something. Staff is always helpful, kind and understanding. They seem to truly care for their community, can you ask for more than that ?


Call (413) 587-1011 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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