The Puppet Free Library Boston
Hidden Puppet Wonderland
Tucked away in the basement of Emmanuel Church on Boston’s iconic Newbury Street lies a hidden treasure—the Puppet Free Library. To enter, visitors must ring the bell above a small door, painted archway on Public Alley. Once inside, they step into a magical world unlike any other.
As I press the bell with eager anticipation, puppeteer Sara Peattie welcomes me in. We walk through another door into a storage space that holds over 200 puppets—an astonishing sight! The room is brimming with vibrant, oversized puppets of all kinds: expressive human faces, eerie ghouls, a beaming sun, towering giraffes, lions, flowers, and even fierce dragons. Many of these puppets have graced theater stages or traveled across the country. Suspended from the ceiling, the library’s oldest puppet seems to watch over the room.
Listening to Peattie’s story, I can’t help but admire the dedication behind these creations. He began his journey as a puppeteer’s apprentice at 18 and has been crafting puppets for more than 40 years, spending most of his time in his workshop. Each puppet takes about a week to make, and the library lends out a few every week.
Established in 1976, the Puppet Free Library continues to spread joy throughout Boston, providing free puppets for schools, community centers, parades, and various celebrations. Because the focus is on lending rather than exhibitions, the library is only open to visitors on Tuesdays.
For those looking for a truly unique experience in Boston, this whimsical and enchanting library is well worth a visit.
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