About the Levi Heywood Memorial Building
 The Gardner Museum was established in 1978 in the Levi Heywood Memorial
Library building. Designed by Fuller and Delano of Worcester, the
building was completed in 1886 and is now one of the finest extant
examples of Richardson Romanesque architecture. Notable museum
architectural details include stained glass windows throughout and
numerous decorative plaques. Since at the time of the building's
construction Gardner was known as the “Chair City of the World," the
shape of a chair was incorporated into the center front façade of the
building (see picture above). Some interior features include three
ornate brick and stone fireplaces and beautifully preserved oak
moldings. The Gardner Museum was individually placed on the National
Register of Historic Places and is located in the Gardner Uptown
National Register Historic District.
| 