The Randolph Historical Society shares its address with the Ladies Library Association of Randolph (LLA). Nine ladies formed this association in 1855 for the purpose of promoting reading and intellectual growth. At that time there was no library in Randolph, the Turner Free Library would not be organized and built until 1874, nearly twenty years later.

They began their library with 50 books, which were kept in the bonnet shop of Mrs. Azel Howard. Present at all meetings was a Worcester dictionary which volume is still in the possession of the Association.

They joined the Mass. State Federation of Women's Clubs in 1855 and the General Federation in 1926. In 1933, the Junior Ladies' Library Association (JLLA) was formed.

In 1862 the Ladies' Library Association raised money to purchase clothing for Randolph's soldiers in the Civil War.

Early in the Twentieth century many programs and services that are now considered the usual function of government agencies were simply not available. Local organizations had to lead the way and pioneer the development of such programs. For instance, the Ladies Library Association fitted up a room in the old Prescott School with a gas stove and cooking utensils and introduced a school luncheon program.

The Association also encouraged the development of sewing classes for the children attending public school. Credit is also due for their efforts to establish rural free delivery service. They organized clean up days and worked to provide public dumps, all important to public health, yet nowadays taken for granted.

They also helped in the numbering of houses and the placing of signs on every street. Seemingly a trivial matter, both are still essential for public convenience, safety and protection from fires

Perhaps the Association's most outstanding community work; the 'Well Baby Clinic' was conducted monthly from 1927 until 1997. It was operated in conjunction with the Visiting Nurse Association and a prominent local pediatrician. The clinic provided affordable examinations for local infants, helping to assure their good health and development. Also in recent years, ladies of both groups had conducted an amblyopia clinic (eye examination) for local pre-school children.

In 1947 a scholarship was established to be granted yearly to a qualified Randolph High School Senior. Continuing a long tradition, work for the Veterans Association Hospital also takes place several times a year.

Memberships are currently open for both The Ladies Library Association and Junior Ladies Library Association. You are cordially invited to attend a meeting or to contact any of the officers for more information

This beautiful 1806 vintage home on North Main Street, houses the Ladies Library Association, The Junior Ladies Library Association and the Randolph Historical Society. Every three years, the LLA host a Christmas Showcase during which the various rooms are decorated by local designers in a holiday motif. For the last two years they have held a Strawberry Festival on the grounds the evening of July 3rd, before and during the Town's Annual Before the Fourth Parade. During the Bicentennial the Belcher House was the starting point for the Historic House Tour.

Occasionally the Belcher House is rented for weddings and parties. It can accommodate a moderate size group, and there is a full kitchen as well the carriage shed and barn. If you are interested in renting the Belcher House, please contact the LLA at 360 North Main Street, Randolph, Mass 02368. History of the Belcher Family in Old Braintree

Gregory Belcher was one of the first settlers in old Braintree. He signed, along with seven others, the covenant of the first church in Braintree on Sept. 16, 1639. He also purchased land in the area which later became known as the North Precinct. Eventually, in 1792 this region was organized as the City of Quincy, Mass.

His son. Samuel (1637-1679) was the original builder in 1666 of the house in which John Quincy Adams would be born and which is preserved today as his birthplace by the National Park Service.

Gregory Belcher (1664-1727) lived in the present John Quincy Adams birthplace and rebuilt it in 1716 into its present form.

Samuel Belcher (1699-1739) also resided in the old North Precinct region, now Quincy, just south of the present Adams birthplace.

His descendant, Samuel Belcher (1738-1795) and his wife Sarah (Wales) built thier homestead in 1762 on No. Main St., in what was then the South Precicnt of Braintree, opposite the present Jonathan Belcher House. It stood there until just after 1900. In 1793, the South Precinct was split off from old Braintree and became the Town of Randolph. In 1872, east Randolph was organized as the Town of Holbrook.

Jonathan Belcher (1767-1839), son of Samuel and Sarah Belcher built this house in 1806. He had married Abigail (Thayer) of Braintree on April 12, 1792. They had a son, Jonathan (1797-1878) who married Hannah (Jordan) of Canton, who added to the house. Their granddaughter; Annie Tower Tarbell, daughter of Abigail (Belcher) and Isaac Tower gave the house and its furnishings to the Ladies Library Association in 1911 to become its permanent home.