1907 Public Library, Sedalia, Missouri

[LIB1552] Founded in 1895, Sedalia Public Library was first located in the basement of the Pettis County Courthouse. In the Fall of 1899, the Sedalia Public Library Board of Trustees was notified that Sedalia had been awarded a $50,000 Carnegie Grant to build a new library, which was the first to be awarded by Andrew Carnegie in the State of Missouri. The current library building was dedicated in 1901 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The historic Sedalia Public Library building is in the Greek Revival style of architecture constructed of ornate white terra cotta stone with a limestone foundation. Four massive limestone columns support the front porch at the entrance to the library. The interior features the original golden oak woodwork throughout the building, marble floors in the main lobby, 5 ornate fireplaces, glass floors in the stack areas, antique cantilever shelving, a skylight, and a collection of antique furniture and paintings. As visitors enter Sedalia Public Library, they journey back in time to the turn of the century. [From the website]