Library News

One of our displays this month on the second floor of the library features items purchased with funds from the Topsfield Library Art Committee via the Gould Trust over the past twelve months, with the goal of bolstering our already high-quality arts and crafts book selection in the library. A special thank you to the Committee and its members for making sure we have a collection of items in the arts that informs, inspires, and sparks the creative juices of the Topsfield community. The Topsfield Library Art Committee is a group of local citizens, appointed by the Library Board of ...Read More

As part of the Topsfield Library’s Rev 250 programming marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and with tall ships visiting Boston for Sail Boston 2026, we are excited to host author James L. Nelson to discuss his book George Washington’s Secret Navy. Watch this program anytime on this page, or on our YouTube! ABOUT THE BOOK: In 1775, General George Washington secretly armed a handful of small ships and sent them to sea against the world’s mightiest navy. This is the story of how America’s first commander-in-chief–whose previous military experience had been entirely on land–nursed the fledgling ...Read More

On June 24, 2026, the Topsfield Town Library was proud to host author Sarah Lohman virtually. We partnered with the Topsfield Historical Society to bring this exciting program to Topsfield! She asks: what is the state of American food on its 250th birthday? Watch this lecture below, as Sarah looks at all all the flavors, dishes and cooks that got us here, from the Indigenous ingredients that shape regional American cuisine, to the influence of the African kitchen, to the fast food revolution. About the Speaker: Sarah Lohman is originally from Hinckley, Ohio where she began working in a museum ...Read More

On June 1, the Topsfield Town Library and Topsfield Sustainability Advisory Committee welcomed Molly Courson, the Resiliency Program Director at the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA), for a lecture on water conservation tips and best practices. This informative discussio teaches  practical ways to conserve water, creating a more sustainable landscape at home, and about how the Ipswich River Watershed Association is working towards a more climate resilient future for our watershed. Watch this presentation via YouTube. Topsfield’s Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) and Topsfield Town Library are proud to co-sponsor this Speaker Series focused on creating a greener, more sustainable Topsfield. This was the ...Read More

The Topsfield Town Library hosted Jane Oneail, the founder of Culturally Curious, a company that curates and presents art appreciation programs, on May 27th for this program celebrating 250 years of American Art. This program celebrates America’s extraordinary artistic legacy as we commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary with a curated exploration of the masterworks that have defined our cultural identity. From the luminous landscapes of the Hudson River School to the bold innovations of Abstract Expressionism, this program showcases the diverse voices and revolutionary spirits that have shaped American art across two and a half centuries. Watching this program, discover ...Read More

As part of our series celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Topsfield Town Library was excited to host Audrey Stuck-Girard on May 14, with a portrayal of Abigail Adams in a first-person speech/lecture format (with questions at the end) with a focus on the following: How the Adamses were pulled into public service and the cause for independence at the time Boston Massacre and trial Women’s rights and women as political entities in Revolutionary America Realities of 18th-century America We are proud to share with you this recorded event here. Also, consider registering for our other Rev250 ...Read More

On April 23, the Topsfield Town Library hosted Chris Burkinshaw for a lecture titled “Our Solar System and Beyond: Explore Astrophotography.” This was hosted as part of state-wide Massachusetts Space Week festivities. View our presentation here! About the Presenter: Chris has been fascinated by science and space for as long as he can remember, from early memories of his grandfather talking about Jupiter and Andromeda Galaxy to watching Comet Hale-Bopp arc across the sky as a kid.  It all changed three years ago when he pointed a Nikon camera at a comet and spotted a faint green dot on the ...Read More

On April 16, the Topsfield Town Library welcomed artist Elizabeth Knowles, the sculptor of “Gourd” which is on display outside the library this year as part of our Temporary Sculpture Program (funded by the Gould Trust), to give a talk about her sculpture, her artistic process, inspirations, and more. View the video of the installation of the work here. Natural patterns inspire Elizabeth Knowles’s work. Some are biological patterns at the cellular level of organisms. Others are geological patterns found in the earth’s natural landscapes. Through painting, sculpture, and site-specific installation, she explores how dynamic patterns connect landscapes and life ...Read More

On April 12, a capella group BU Treblemakers performed at Topsfield’s Great Hall as part of the Topsfield Town Library’s concert series (sponsored by the Topsfield Library Music Committee and funded by the Gould Trust). Several hit songs spanning multiple generations were performed a cappella and several more were performed as solo projects with and without musical accompaniment. View the full concert below, thanks to Boxford Cable Access TV.

Topsfield’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Topsfield Town Library are proud to co-sponsor a Speaker Series focused on creating a greener, more sustainable Topsfield. In the latest entry to our series, we welcomed Jon Laurie from Black Earth Compost to discuss composting. Our current trash system is not sustainable; Jon showed participants how food scrap diversion is an essential piece of the puzzle when looking at sustainable practices. Finished compost helps to add nutrients back into our soil systems while sequestering more carbon and retaining moisture. Participating in composting programs is a great way to give back to your local ...Read More