Malden Public Library 8-7-12
After visiting the First Baptist Church in Malden, Massachusetts to see the curved staircase built by my great-grandfather, Robert Paine Palmer my Mom, my sister and I all walked next door to the Malden Public Library to see the other staircase we had hear so much about.
To our great surprise, it was much easier to get to see the staircase in the church. We soon discovered that the spiral staircase was in an historic part of the building not accessible to the public. The library was very busy that day but the kind man at the information desk was able to get a few moments to show the staircase to us. While our visit there was brief at least we were able to get some photos and the library historical board was very interested in our information and family photos. The information librarian pointed out that if my great-grandfather was a Master Stairbuilder, then he probably built more than just these two staircases! What a thought. We were amazed that this never occurred to us! More research would be needed, of course, but it set our minds turning to thinking of how we could research this. We exchanged contact info and went on our way. Below are the few photos I was able to take in the brief time allotted.
Upper floor with spindles similar to the ones on the staircase
Spindle detail
Mom beams as she stands on the spiral staircase built by her grandfather.
By talking to the librarian we were able to determine that this staircase was built before the one in the First Baptist Church next door since the interior of the church burnt down in 1915 and had to be rebuilt. The library was built in 1895.
Mom and Mary Grace stand looking at the house on Dow Avenue where her mother and grandparents use to live in Arlington Heights, MA.
This is the last house that Robert Paine Palmer lived in at 64 Dow Ave in Arlington Heights, Massachusetts.
I am so glad I was able to see all of this before I move away.
