Arthur Fuller Davis Gallery

Brief History

Arthur Fuller Davis was Acton’s longest serving Librarian (1902-1945). He was born in 1863 in Roxbury, Massachusetts and at age 12 moved to 491 Main Street in Acton. He graduated from the Acton Center Grammar School and went on to study painting in Malden with Albion Bicknell. He later studied and worked in New York City.

In 1892, he returned to Acton where he continued his painting. In 1902 he was elected the Librarian of the Acton Memorial Library and served 43 years. His home at 491 Main Street was diagonally across the street from the Library, making for an easy commute. Most of his works show Acton as he saw it on his frequent walks and bicycle trips and from the windows of his home.

The detailed descriptions in his journals, and his many sketchbooks, give us a vivid picture of life in the Town over a period of 60 years. In 1935 he wrote a history of the Acton Memorial Library, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the incorporation of the town.

Online Gallery

The gallery on this page contains works by Arthur Davis that belong to the Acton Memorial Library. The library’s collection significantly increased with a gift from Richard Nylander in 2017. These works can be viewed in a separate online gallery.

The Acton Memorial Library and its licensors retain all proprietary rights to the content. The content may not be reproduced, transmitted or distributed without the express prior written consent of the Acton Memorial Library Board of Trustees.