Boston Athenaeum (first) opens.

Founded by members of the Anthology Society, it is located initially in Joy’s Building at today’s 201 Washington Street. Incorporated on February 13, 1807, it is the oldest private library in the U.S. It is initially stocked with 3,000 books purchased by the Rev. Joseph Buckminster, and by 1819 one of only three libraries (along with the Philadelphia public library the Harvard College library) with 10,000 volumes. Books are first allowed to circulate in 1827. It soon moves to Scollay’s Building (second) at 14 Congress Street, the Rufus Armory House (third) on Tremont Street near King’s Chapel Burying Ground in 1809, to the James Perkins House (fourth) at today’s 185 Franklin Street (then 13 Pearl Street) in 1822, and to a new building (fifth) on Beacon Street in 1849.*