The Ellen Stone Building was an early center for free thinking and discussion for religious, political, philosophical, and cultural groups in greater Boston.
Lexington industrialist Eli Robbins built the Stone Building as a lyceum hall in 1833.
In the 1830s, lyceums were developed around the country as the “common man”—men who did not own land—won the right to vote. Lyceums encouraged discussion and debate, embodying a commitment to democracy and lifelong learning.
In the 1840s, abolitionist leaders who were excluded from speaking elsewhere in Lexington and Boston came to the Stone Building. Speakers included prominent transcendentalists, suffragists, and abolitionists including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Theodore Parker, Charles Sumner, and Lucy Stone.
Robbins’ granddaughter Ellen Stone deeded the building to the Town of Lexington in 1892. The building served as a branch library for 115 years.
Today, the Ellen Stone Building is one of the few intact lyceum halls in the country. It is also empty. It was closed due to flood damage in 2007, and it has remained shuttered for 17 years.
Renovation Updates
Spencer Group Chosen for Building Plans
The Town of Lexington has hired the Spencer Preservation Group to prepare updated designs for renovating the Ellen Stone Building. Town Meeting voted to fund a new design and repairs in spring 2023.
According to the Town’s Request for Qualifications for this project, “The scope of work includes, up-to-date evaluation of the building and site, recommendations for further stabilization and historic preservation, working with community groups to determine the best modernization improvements that preserve the existing architectural character, but allow for present day public use.” (Emphasis ours)
The Town held an initial public kickoff meeting with stakeholders on April 12, 2024. The Town expects to bring the Stone Building project to Town Meeting for another round of funding in spring 2025
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