I'm a single gal living in rural Appalachia. I have a job that keeps me busy and a to-do list so long I'll never see the end.
Adventures- both big and small- are an important part of my life. Since I don’t even have a houseplant depending on me right now, I’m free to do basically whatever I please. This blog tells some of those stories.
Life is pretty darn good!
When the town of Lee, Massachusetts commissioned a new firehouse in 1911, they built a perfect building to house horse-drawn apparatus. But 115 years later, times have changed and this beautiful building is now holding back the department.
Built of famed Lee marble, it is an impressive building and certainly a focal point along Main Street. I got the scoop from my tour guide at the library who shared that this facility can’t house a lot of modern fire trucks and joked that the space is so tight they only let the old guys back the trucks into the bays
The town is actually in the process of building a new public safety complex that will house fire, police and EMS. The old firehouse will be decommissioned. Fortunately, this is a community that values historic places and they have an initiative underway to repurpose the space for public use.
Imagine if these walls could talk! From horses to a different kind of horsepower, I am sure it has seen a lot!
In a town filled with interesting buildings, none captured my attention more than the public library in Lee, Massachusetts. While exploring downtown, I was excited to see one of the most recognizable buildings in my little world – a Carnegie Library.
I wasted no time hustling up the sidewalk and through the front doors to see the interior. Check out these doors.
But I didn’t just see the inside, I got a tour and such a warm welcome that I wished for a moment that I worked there.
The original part of the Lee Library was constructed in 1907 with help from Andrew Carnegie who gave $12,000 to the project. Unfortunately, the total price for the library and furnishings was $35,000.
My tour guide said that building the library was a source of contention in the community as some were supportive, others were vocally against, and some were on the fence. Some didn’t understand why the town needed a new library at all and certainly didn’t want to see tax dollars used for the cause. This sounds tragically familiar in 2026.
The compromise was for the additional funding to come from the town and from private donations. The town pitched in $18,300 and private donors covered the rest.
Lee Marble Works quarried and cut the marble used in the construction of the building. This was a big deal because Lee was known to have some of the finest marble anywhere. This original building is Corinthian in style.
The interior woodwork is polished birch, something that I didn’t expect but that is beautiful.
Look at this amazing fireplace! Can you read it? “A book fitly chosen is a lifelong friend.”
Indeed.
The building has since been added onto and updated but they have done a nice job preserving the original space and many original elements. The circulation desk has been relocated but is original. They have a couple of original bookshelves including one that rotates plus that gorgeous woodwork, fireplaces, and the requisite portrait of Andrew Carnegie that hangs in every one of his namesake libraries.
There’s even an unusual metal roll-up door that could be used to partition off the section of the library where books were originally shelved from the entryway.
A new wing was added in 1977, tripling the library’s square footage but they did a great job making the new addition consistent with the old. It’s clearly of a different era and doesn’t have the same workmanship but they incorporated the same local marble and honored the spirit of that 1907 space.
I want to make it clear that this library is one of the most active and busy small town libraries I have ever seen. They were busy that day, chatting with their patrons like old friends and making everyone feel seen and welcome. They even were hosting a local art show in their community room and I was invited to peruse the art which was submitted by children and adults. Plus, a staffer took the time to give me a great tour and patiently answer all my many questions.
It made my cynical little heart swell with pride for them.
This is the last remaining Carnegie in the Berkshires and it’s clear they are proud of that as well.
When out adventuring, remember that libraries are safe spaces to find a clean restroom, place to fill your water bottle, and even get local information. Librarians are some of the most helpful and knowledgeable people around. It’s even better when the building is historic and pretty!
When we were in Massachusetts, my lovely traveling pal wanted to spend a chunk of time in a local quilt shop. She found one in Lee, a sweet little town where I had a fun afternoon exploring and she had a good time finding goodies for her projects.
Lee has an interesting downtown with plenty to see and places to shop and eat. Known as the “Gateway To The Berkshires;” it feels like a quintessential New England town. People were friendly and helpful, there’s some interesting buildings to see, and it feels rich with history.
It was incorporated in 1777 so Lee IS rich with history. Mahican Indians once lived here. Paper making was a longtime industry and the area is known for its world class marble. In fact, Lee marble can be found in many famous places including New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a wing of the US Capitol in Washington DC.
Lee is charming and inviting enough that I even enjoyed wandering around in the rain.
As much as I enjoyed my stroll through town, I actually spent most of my time chatting with someone at their library.
That’s because I came to a dead stop at this sight.
It’s a Carnegie Library and it’s the only Carnegie in the Berkshires. It is clearly well loved and maintained and a source of pride for the community.
Come back and I’ll tell you about the warm welcome I received here!
This wasn’t the best day. Scout went back to the vet today with another flare up of an issue that started earlier this year. It’s called Feline Idiopathic Cystitis or, in laymen’s terms, inflammation of the bladder wall.
So we got another round of medicine – a liquid and two pills to be administered a couple of times a day for the foreseeable future. He sang the song of his people all the way there and back but was a perfect little gent for the vet.
He was less gentlemanly as I single handedly wrestled him to the floor for his first dose.
I was having a “Calgon, take me away moment” tonight as I went through the mail. Seamless gutters, bill, bill, credit card offer… and a postcard! Not just any postcard but one that features a gorgeous painting by Florida Highwayman Alfred Hair.
My Pittsburgh pal, who I admired Highwaymen art with earlier this year, was recently in Florida and thought to send this to me. Did you read the story I wrote a few months ago? If you didn’t, you should because their art is magnificent and they painted prolifically. Click here to read about them.
She says the antique stores down there are like galleries of their work, something I would love to see someday.
Why do I tell you this? It’s just a gentle reminder that real mail from friends and family is still relevant and important. Birthday cards and thank you notes have been all but replaced by texts and Facebook greetings. Yet, there’s something special about opening your mailbox to something from a friend.
It tells me that, for a moment, the sender thought to buy a postcard, write a message, and take it to the post office. And during her vacation!
What a nice thought.
So, buy yourself a few stamps and some cards or postcards and send a note here and there. Brighten someone’s day! You never know the impact your actions might have.
We were out for a walk in Stockbridge, when I spotted this car outside the historic Red Lion Inn. I felt sort of weird snapping a photo with the trunk open but couldn’t resist.
Where I come from, it’s not every day you see an Alfa Romeo cruise down the street.
What fun it would be to put the top down for a tour of the countryside in this little Italian roadster!
It’s going to be 72 and sunny today and perfect for heading out on a roadtrip. Hope you get to take advantage of this perfect fall day and maybe spot a cool classic while you’re out and about!
