MutualOne Charitable Foundation Helps Restore Edgell Memorial Library Windows

The MutualOne Charitable Foundation’s $10,000 grant to the Framingham History Center will help complete Phase II of the window restoration project at the Edgell Memorial Library in Framingham.

Built in 1872 as the town’s Civil War Memorial, the Edgell Memorial Library is one of Framingham’s most historic structures. One of only a few remaining Victorian Gothic structures in the area, the building is included in the local Framingham Centre Historic District and the National Register of Historic Places.

During the first phase of the restoration project, which began in 2009, a total of 21 of the building’s windows were restored. Phase II addresses the remaining 43 windows in need of repair. 

“It’s important to preserve Framingham’s history for the benefit of future generations,” said Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and a trustee of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation. “We’re happy to do our part to make sure that goal becomes a reality.”

“We are so pleased that MutualOne Charitable Foundation has chosen to support our efforts to finish the restoration of the windows at the Edgell Memorial Library — Framingham’s Civil War memorial and first free-standing library,” said Annie Murphy, executive director of the Framingham History Center.
“This funding will help us complete the final phase of securing the envelope of this community treasure, which needs to happen before we can move inside and begin work on the beautiful interior space. We truly appreciate MutualOne’s understanding of how important local heritage and ‘pride of place’ is to our community."

The History Center hopes to complete both the exterior work and future interior restorations by 2015 – the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.

The  $10,000 grant to the Framingham History Center was among awards totaling $63,385 made by the Foundation in its most recent round of funding. 
The MutualOne Charitable Foundation is a continuation of the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation following the 2012 merger of Framingham Co-operative Bank and Natick Federal Savings Bank.

Since it was originally established in 1998, the Foundation has donated over $2.3 million to charitable, educational, and civic initiatives that improve and enhance the quality of life in Framingham, Natick, and surrounding communities.
Operating under an 1889 state charter, MutualOne Bank has full-service offices at 828 Concord St. and One Lincoln St. in Framingham, and at 49 Main S, in Natick, and a Loan Center at 160 Cochituate Rd in Framingham.