Mary Baker Eddy Library

Mary Baker Eddy Library is a major research library, museum, and archive located in Boston, Massachusetts. Dedicated to the life and ideas of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, it opened to the public in 2002. The institution serves as a center for scholarly research and public exploration of Eddy's writings, the history of the Christian Science movement, and themes of spirituality and health. Its most famous feature is the Mapparium, a unique three-story stained-glass globe.

History and founding

The library was established by The First Church of Christ, Scientist to provide a permanent home for its vast archival collections related to Mary Baker Eddy and the global growth of the Christian Science movement. Planning began in the late 1990s, culminating in a dedication ceremony in 2002. The creation of the library consolidated materials previously held in various administrative buildings of The Christian Science Publishing Society. Its founding mission emphasizes open public access to primary source materials for historical and biographical research, distinct from the church's religious activities.

Architecture and location

The library is housed within the Christian Science Plaza, a notable complex in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood designed by the renowned architects I. M. Pei and Araldo Cossutta. The structure is part of the original Christian Science Center, a landmark of Modernist architecture completed in the 1970s. The interior was extensively renovated to create modern exhibition galleries, reading rooms, and archival storage. Its most iconic architectural element is the Mapparium, a walk-through stained-glass globe built in 1935, depicting the political world of that era.

Collections and exhibits

The library's core holdings include Eddy's personal library, correspondence, manuscripts, and published works such as Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The archives contain extensive records from The Mother Church, The Christian Science Publishing Society, and the newspaper The Christian Science Monitor. Permanent and rotating exhibits explore themes from Eddy's life, the principles of Christian Science, and the intersection of spirituality, medicine, and media. The Mapparium exhibit includes a presentation on the global impact of ideas.

Research and educational programs

The institution operates a reading room where scholars, students, and the public can access its collections by appointment. Staff provide research assistance and facilitate the study of primary documents related to American religious history, women's history, and 19th-century publishing. Educational outreach includes public lectures, symposia, and teacher workshops often developed in collaboration with academic institutions like the Massachusetts Historical Society. Digital initiatives have made a growing number of archival materials, including editions of The Christian Science Monitor, available online.

Significance and cultural impact

As the principal repository for materials on Mary Baker Eddy, the library is an essential resource for historians studying new religious movements in America and the role of women in founding major institutions. Its location on the Christian Science Plaza, a designated Boston Landmark, makes it a significant cultural and architectural destination. The Mapparium, featured in films and literature, is a unique cartographic artifact that attracts visitors from around the world. The library's work promotes scholarly and public dialogue on topics ranging from the history of ideas to journalistic ethics.

Category:Libraries in Massachusetts Category:Christian Science Category:Buildings and structures in Boston Category:Research libraries in the United States Category:2002 establishments in Massachusetts