The historic Josiah Smith Tavern and Old Library in Weston’s town center will be renovated for re-use. Scheduled for 2012 opening, the project will reconnect two historic, centrally located buildings with the day-to-day functions of the community and provide Weston with a casual dining restaurant.

The tavern exterior has been renovated and a feasibility study has established the outline of the project. Approval for construction funding will be sought at Town Meeting in November 2009.

“The Tavern and Old Library buildings have the potential to provide great service to the community through their planned new uses, in addition to their historic value to the town, said Andrew Marvel, chair of the Josiah Smith Tavern / Old Library Committee.”

The Old Library, a brick-and-stone building, vacant since 1995, will serve as the new home for the Weston Women’s Community League on the upper level. The lower level will house a Weston History Center, with offices for the Historical Commission, the Historical Society and the town archives. The Josiah Smith Tavern will be restored to its original use as a dining and gathering place, serving as a casual family restaurant and function space. A planned 4,000-square-foot addition will contain a modern kitchen and a new elevator, stairs and restrooms.

The town recently retained Smith + St. John as project managers and Cambridge-based Prellwitz Chilinski Assoc. as architects.