Milton Public Library Turns Historic Glass Tiles into Tables

At first glance, the sleek, opaque, sea-foam green glass tables located in the  café appear to give the room a feeling of modern serenity. But these tables are an understated piece of history both the library itself and the town of Milton.

The one inch thick glass panels that make up the table tops are salvaged pieces of glass flooring that were a part of the original library’s design. The glass flooring was erected on the second and third floors of the Milton Public Library back in the 1930s and was a common architectural innovation at the time. When the library underwent major renovations, about fifty glass pieces were saved, thanks in large part to Library Trustee Marjorie Jeffries, for the special purpose of maintaining Milton’s history.

 “The glass fascinated me” said Jeffries. “It’s a historical artifact."

Both Jeffries and Milton Library Director Phil McNulty are well versed in the unique story of the glass tiles and their transformation to tables beginning in 2009.

“I believe that Milton was one of the first libraries around to put [glass floor panels] in and one of last to take them out,” said McNulty. “When the pieces were turned to tables, each table was a little different. Some have edges that are smoothed…others with sharp edges and unique grooves in the glass."

Stonecraft Inc. of Seekonk, MA took on the task of re-cutting the glass and The Village Forge in Hyde Park, MA created rot iron framework and legs for each of the tables.

Explaining the two different designs, Jeffries pointed out, “each one is different because you can get them rot iron rimmed or not and in different sizes."

A batch of full-size tables, coffee tables and book ends were created from the two designs and all sizes except for two full size tables are now currently sold out. The two remaining tables will are on sale for $425 apiece. There are five glass tables in the library café and according to Director McNulty, those will be sold as well if need be, but  he is not sure if a new batch of tables will be ordered. All of the table sales will benefit the library.

For more information and for a chance to have a piece of Milton history in your home, contact the Milton Public Library at (617)-698-5757 or go to http://www.miltonlibrary.org/librarygifts.asp