DATE OF RELEASE: July 28, 2025
TITLE: Architecture Firm Contracted for Ramsdell Library Design and Planning Great Barrington, MA — The Ramsdell Building Committee of the Town of Great Barrington announces its selection of Perry Dean Rogers Partners Architects of 177 Milk Street, Boston, for the Planning and Design Phase of renovating Ramsdell Library.
Ramsdell Library was awarded the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) grant on January 9, 2025. As one of the selected twelve libraries, the Town received $100,000 for this Planning and Design Phase. Together with $150,000 appropriated at Town Meeting in 2024, the funding provides for this phase to be completed by December 31, 2025.
From Project Architect Michael Bellefeuille: “We at Perry Dean Rogers are thrilled to begin working with the Building Committee and the Town of Great Barrington to reinvigorate this gem of a building. We are honored to be given the opportunity to create a new Ramsdell Library by restoring this historic landmark as well as creating exciting new spaces to better serve the entire community.”
Ramsdell Library was constructed in 1908 with a bequest of Theodore G. Ramsdell of Monument Mills, funding provided for the express purpose of creating a free public library. The new library symbolized culture and public progress in Housatonic. Aside from a basic addition in 1930 and an entrance ramp in 2023, the building has not been updated. The MPLCP grant presents an opportunity to return the beloved building to its original glory while providing comprehensive ADA access, improved collection and workspaces, and a greater variety of uses by the community.
The Committee had already selected CHA Solutions, also Boston based, as the Owner’s Project Manager. CHA was instrumental in guiding the Committee through the selection of the architect and will continue to guide the Committee throughout the Planning and Design process. Ramsdell Library is first waitlisted for construction funding, and the project will go to the community for approval when that money becomes available, sometime between 2026 and 2029.
The Ramsdell Building Committee welcomes questions and comments. Meetings are posted on the Town’s website and open to the public. More information about the project is available at gblibraries.org. More information about the Committee can be found at townofgbma.gov.
