A New Little Free Library at the Memory Hub!

The Memory Hub's new Little Free Library may well be the 'biggest little' free library in Seattle, standing over 8 feet tall. The library's red door opens to shelves filled with books and seasonal surprises inspired by Maude’s Garden, such as seeds, herbal tea, and more. It's a hand-built gift from longtime Memory Hub supporter Carl Westphal.

After nearly a year of searching for the perfect material for his dream project, Westphal's friends at Bloedel Reserve told him that a large Western Red Cedar had fallen on the garden grounds. It was perfect. To design and build the structure, Carl worked with his longtime friend Terry Miller, a talented woodworker, who used handheld tools to carve the tree trunk and help with many design challenges.

"Working with Terry was my favorite part of the project for me," says Westphal. "It was delightful to see it complete, as it turned out even better than I had hoped."

There’s no guidebook for turning a massive tree into a free library; and likewise, there’s no guidebook for safely installing such a structure in the ground. We are fortunate that the Memory Hub's garden contractor, Stone Soup Gardens, agreed to take the job. Both the creation and installation were labors of love that took ingenuity, problem-solving, and collaboration - and a whole lot of physical strength.

“Carl’s one-of-a-kind Little Free Library surpassed my wildest dreams," said MBWC's Marigrace Becker, Director of the Memory Hub. "This whimsical addition to Maude’s Garden will delight Memory Hub visitors for years to come.”

Thank you to the Alzheimer's Association for donating many of the first books, which will soon be available in the unique new addition to the Memory Hub and the First Hill neighborhood.

Want to visit our Little Free Library? We’re the first stop on an upcoming Little Free Library walking tour in First Hill. Join us at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 23. Learn more