Cumberland library

In the heart of Cumberland lies the Cumberland Library, formerly a monastery that burned down in 1950. The library that stands today is composed partially of the old monastery. The library lies on a fairly large property that also contains an older library that was open prior to this new one, the Edward J. Hayden Library. Also on the property is an old condemned playground, several walking trails, a handful of old statues, and a Veterans' Memorial Park. Lovecraft fans would be intrigued by the rumors of paranormal happenings on the library's property, but overall, there is a calm feeling to most of the property. The well-inhabited land is quite welcoming, but the old monastery tells a different story.

Inside the library, the atmosphere is very peaceful, at least in the new additions to the building. The newer section of the building is very modern: new furniture, bright lights, new flooring. However, the old monastery makes up the hallways that connect the library to another building and are anything but peaceful. The old Gothic architecture, the loud creaky doors, and the dim lighting combine to create a terrifying environment. It is obvious that this is a completely different building from the actual library; they do not make one cohesive space.

As mentioned previously, most of the property surrounding the library is quite nice. The statues, Veterans' memorials, and walking trails are all well respected and make the space unique. The playground and old library do not give quite the same feeling, but they are nowhere near as spine-chilling as the old monastery. The playground was under construction at the time of visiting, so for the time being, it appears lifeless and gives one an uneasy feeling. There is an old library on the property of the Cumberland public library, the Edward J. Hayden Library. It is locked up; the building is a mystery to the public.

Having burned down after Lovecraft’s death, the monastery and its odd ghost stories were not ones that he could have written about in his lifetime, but the spooky old building and possible paranormal experiences could make for a fantastic piece today in the Lovecraftian style.

Above are directions to the Cumberland Public Library. There is a sizable parking lot on the property for visitors.