August 31, 2026 | Middlebury, Vermont
On Saturday, August 29, the Ilsley Public Library opened its doors to a new chapter as the Middlebury community celebrated the Grand Opening of the newly renovated and expanded library.
More than 3,700 people walked through the library during Saturday’s celebration, an extraordinary turnout and a fitting welcome for a building that has served as a cornerstone of downtown Middlebury for more than a century.
ReArch Construction was proud to celebrate alongside the Town of Middlebury, the Ilsley Public Library, Wiemann Lamphere Architects, the Ilsley 100 Project Team, Library Trustees, Friends of the Library, donors, and the many community members who helped make this ambitious project possible.
Honoring the Past, Building for the Future
Originally constructed in 1924, the Carnegie-style Ilsley Public Library has grown alongside Middlebury for more than 100 years. This latest transformation preserves the original building’s history and character while dramatically expanding what the library can offer future generations.
ReArch Construction and Wiemann Lamphere Architects were selected as the design-build team in August 2023, bringing together design and construction expertise from early planning through completion.
Wiemann Lamphere Architects created the architectural vision, with a stunning design that creates an exceptional connection between the historic library and its contemporary addition. The transition between old and new feels both deliberate and natural, preserving the character of the original building while creating bright, welcoming spaces that reflect how libraries serve communities today.
A Complex Transformation
Bringing that vision to life required an equally thoughtful construction process.
Renovating, restoring, and expanding a century-old building presents challenges that simply do not exist with new construction. The team had to carefully uncover existing conditions, protect historic elements, integrate modern building systems, and seamlessly connect new construction to a structure built generations ago.
The expanded library now offers dedicated spaces for children, teens, and adults; a spacious community room; a rooftop garden; improved accessibility; updated building systems; and welcoming spaces designed for learning, gathering, and connection.
Throughout construction, ReArch worked closely with Wiemann Lamphere, the Town, the Library team, and our trade partners to navigate complex conditions while protecting the character that makes the Ilsley Library such an important part of Middlebury.
Built by More Than 250 Skilled Tradespeople
A project of this complexity is only possible through the collective effort of an exceptional team.
ReArch extends its sincere thanks to the more than 250 subcontractors and skilled tradespeople who worked on the Ilsley Public Library. Their craftsmanship, problem-solving, and commitment are evident throughout the completed building.
We are equally grateful to everyone who championed this vision, and to the Town of Middlebury and the Library for entrusting our team with such an important community landmark.
We are incredibly proud of our ReArch team. This project demanded tremendous coordination, persistence, attention to detail, and care. From the beginning, our team understood that we weren’t simply renovating and expanding a building—we were helping steward a place that belongs to the entire community.
A Library for the Next 100 Years
The Ilsley Public Library has belonged to this community for more than a century. We are honored to have helped prepare it for the next 100 years.
