Mural Unveiled on Main Floor
Many people may have noticed that our ongoing book sale was moved, and in its place appeared a piece of art covered for an unveiling planned for February 19, 2025. The 140-pound ceramic tile mural was uncovered as spectators gathered to marvel at the art honoring Barre’s 250th Anniversary. The following article was written by our friend and Historian at the Barre Historical Society & Museum, Lucy Allen. Read it below or click here to visit their Facebook page.
𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘’𝗦 𝟮𝟱𝟬𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗨𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬
A ceramic tile mural designed and created by Leverett artist Judith Inglese was unveiled at the Woods Memorial Library this afternoon. She calls the mural “Our Shared Stories.”
The project was commissioned by the Barre Library Association to honor Barre’s 250th Anniversary and was funded with the generous support of Fidelity Bank.
This large mural is a refreshing approach in illustrating Barre’s long history. Judith’s mural starts with the early days at the bottom of the mural, with a Native American as the first figure. Early settlers are shown at work. As the eye follows the line of history upward, we see the trial of Quock Walker, whose actions led to the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts in 1783. We see farmers and cows, the Hotel Barre and our wonderful Concord Stagecoach, Dr. Brown’s School for the developmentally disabled, school children and No. 4 Schoolhouse, children playing—both in the old times and more contemporary ages—and the Harding Allen Bandstand with its musicians and spectators. Representative buildings on Barre Common stand proudly near the top, and also the former Barre Wool Combing Co. with a group of immigrants that formed the nucleus of its workforce.
Flowing down the right side of the mural is the Ware River, with the historic covered bridge (which was lost in the Hurricane of 1938). Throughout the mural are sprinkled representatives of our wildlife, such as the deer, raccoon, great blue heron, fox, and several bird species.
The mural is large and occupies a brick wall that was once the back wall of the original Woods Memorial Library before the circa 2000 addition. The terra cotta colors, and other earth tones, blend beautifully with the library’s décor.
Judith described her technique for creating the mural. She has a large oven for firing the clay pieces. Most are glazed, but some, such as the faces of the people, are not glazed. She described the process of researching the history to be included, and the planning of the many pieces to be made, as very time consuming.
The artist hails from New York City and received her training in New York and Boston. Her decision to specialize in public art for small and rural communities may seem strange, but this wonderful piece of art proves that she made the right career choice.
Representatives of Fidelity Bank, the Barre Historical Society, and Barre’s 250th Anniversary Committee attended the unveiling, which was sponsored by the Barre Library Association.
If you are local, you really must make a trip to Woods Memorial Library to view this mural and wind your way through Barre’s history in a unique fashion.
Lucy Allen
February 19, 2025
