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Q1. When was the Library built?
Q2. How is the Library funded?
Q3. Who are the trustees and officers of the Library, and what do they do?
Q4. Are the collections of the Library available on the Web site?
Q5. Do I need an appointment to explore the Collections?
Q6. What are the main exhibits of the Library?
Q7. Can I view some of Eddy’s original notes and artifacts in any of the exhibits?
Q8. Who is Mary Baker Eddy?
Q9. Was Mary Baker Eddy a member of the suffrage movement?
Q10. What kind of book is Science and Health with the Key to the Scriptures?
Q11. Did Mary Baker Eddy write or publish any other works?
Q12. What is the church that Mary Baker Eddy founded?
Q13. Did Mary Baker Eddy found The Christian Science Monitor?
Q14. What other publications did Mary Baker Eddy establish?
Q15. What is Mary Baker Eddy’s healing method?
Q16. When is the Library open?
Q17. What are other points of interest close to the Library?
All Answers
Q1. When was the Library built?
A1. The Library is housed in an 11-story structure originally built for The Christian Science Publishing Society. Constructed between 1932 and 1934, the neoclassical style building with its renowned Mapparium® has become an historic landmark in Boston’s Back Bay. Restoration of the Library’s 81,000-square foot portion of the building began in 1998, and the final renovation and additional construction were completed in 2002. See About the Building for more information.
Q2. How is the Library funded?
A2. The General Fund of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, was the source for the money to renovate the space and build out the Library, as well as establish the staff. A separate fund has also been established for donations specifically designated for the Library. Additional funds are expected to come from grants and partnerships with other educational institutions, as the Library establishes its programs.
Q3. Who are the trustees and officers of the Library, and what do they do?
A3. The Mary Baker Eddy Library Board of Trustees currently has nine members including DiAnne Drake, Honor Hill, Laura Roberts, Deborah Velders, Lyle Young, John Fawcett, Sandra Rygel, and Lisa Stepanski. Library Officers include Lesley Pitts (President/Executive Manager) and Holly Stark (Treasurer/Director of Finance and Operations).
Their function is to provide expertise and support to the Library's operations and initiatives, as well as recruit new board members to support the Library's mission. To foster successful collaboration between experienced insights and fresh perspectives, Trustees are appointed to a three-year term and limited to two terms. SeeBiographies for more information.
Q4. Are the collections of the Library available on the Web site?
A4. Select items from the collections are available on the Library’s Web site (see Search the Catalog). Due to technical and related limitations, however, parts of the collections will be gradually added to the site.
Q5. Do I need an appointment to explore the collections?
A5. Unless your research is somewhat specialized, no appointment is needed. Please call Research & Reference Services at 617-450-7218 for more information.
Q6. What are the main exhibits of the Library?
A6. There are three main exhibit areas of The Mary Baker Eddy Library. The Mapparium is an historic three-story, painted glass globe that provides a walk-through opportunity for visitors to consider how ideas have shaped the world. The Hall of Ideas® is a dramatic and engaging presentation that celebrates great ideas that have inspired individuals and changed the world. The Quest Gallery is a multi-media exhibit exploring the life of Mary Baker Eddy and her experiences surrounding her discovery of Christian Science.
Q7. Can I view some of Mary Baker Eddy’s original notes and artifacts in any of the exhibits?
A7. Yes. The Quest Gallery has several showcases containing Mary Baker Eddy’s original works, including her Genesis notes and selected correspondence.
Q8. Who is Mary Baker Eddy?
A8. Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) was an influential American author, teacher, and religious leader, noted for her groundbreaking ideas about spirituality and health, which she named Christian Science. She articulated those ideas in her major work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, first published in 1875. Four years later she founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, which today has branch churches and societies around the world. In 1908 she launched The Christian Science Monitor, a leading international newspaper, the recipient, to date, of seven Pulitzer Prizes. See Life to read more.
Q9. Was Mary Baker Eddy a member of the suffrage movement?
A9. Mary Baker Eddy did not take an active part in the suffrage movement, though there is record of her paying membership dues. The focus of her work was to enable both men and women to be independent, and free of ill health, and any type of hardship by learning about God.
Q10. What kind of book is Science and Health with the Key to the Scriptures?
A10. Mary Baker Eddy’s primary work is a 700-page book detailing her discovery of Christian Science, her system of healing, and her commentary on the Scriptures. It was the focal point for the expression of so many of Eddy’s ideas.“ That work is the outgrowth of my whole life, as my dear husband used to say,” she wrote to a student. See Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures for more information, including the complete text online.
Q11. Did Mary Baker Eddy write or publish any other works?
A11. In addition to her primary work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, as well as some autobiographical reflections, Mary Baker Eddy wrote and published many other works during her lifetime. See Other Writings for a complete listing.
Q12. What is the church that Mary Baker Eddy founded?
A12. The Church of Christ, Scientist, was founded by Mary Baker Eddy and a small group of students in 1879. See The First Church of Christ, Scientist, for more information.
Q13. Did Mary Baker Eddy found The Christian Science Monitor?
A13. Yes. The Christian Science Monitor is an international daily newspaper founded in 1908—its object and journalistic ethic established by Mary Baker Eddy is “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.” See The Christian Science Monitor for more information.
Q14. What other publications did Mary Baker Eddy establish?
A14. Mary Baker Eddy established The Christian Science Publishing Society in 1898, and it remains very active today. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Christian Science Monitor, the Publishing Society’s offerings include The Christian Science Journal, Christian Science Quarterly, Christian Science Sentinel, and The Herald of Christian Science. See Periodicals for more information.
Q15. What is Mary Baker Eddy’s healing method?
A15. The complete statement of Mary Baker Eddy’s healing method, which she defined as “Christian Science,” is outlined in her primary work, Science and Health with Key to Scriptures. This spiritual healing practice grew out of her Biblical research and first-hand explorations of the medical treatments of her day. Chronically ill from childhood, she sought help from diverse healing systems, including drugs, diets, water-based therapies, and homeopathy. Her study and practice of homeopathy led her to some important insights into the mental nature of illness and cure—what is known today as the mind/body connection. See Healing Practice to read more.
Q16. When is the Library open?
A16. The Library is open Tuesday-Sunday, as well as some Monday holidays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. See Hours & Admission for complete details.
Q17. What are other points of interest close to the Library?
A17. The library is located on the Christian Science Plaza, one of many popular destinations in Boston’s historic Back Bay and the Fenway Cultural District, which are also home to the Prudential Center, a number of world-class museums, fine shopping, and award-winning restaurants. See Visiting Boston for more information.
