Public Library, Ellsworth, Maine

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The Ellsworth Public Library is located on the banks of the Union River in downtown Ellsworth, Maine. The Federalist-style building built in 1817 for Colonel Meltiah Jordan is listed on the National Register of Historic Houses, and is commonly known as the Tisdale House after Seth Tisdale, one of its illustrious owners. The house has been a public library since 1897 when George Nixon Black gave the remodeled building to the City of Ellsworth with the enduring condition “That the premises conveyed shall be always used for a public library”. [http://www.ellsworth.lib.me.us/about/history-of-the-library/]

Public Library, Veterans Park, Redondo Beach, California

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Designed by the noted architect Lovel Bearse Pemberton, the new Spanish/Dutch colonial building in Veterans Park on the Esplanade (above, center) was dedicated on July 2, 1930, and this iconic structure served as the main library for the city for sixty years. In 1981 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Public Library, Anacortes, Washington

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The Carnegie Gallery was originally designed as a Carnegie Library and was built between 1909 and 1911. It became the home of the Anacortes Museum in 1968, and in 1977 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Architect, builder, or engineer: Piper & Cox

Anacortes Illustrated. Containing a General Description of the State of Washington and a Review of Resources, Terminal Advantages, General Industries and Climate of Anacortes and Its Tributary Country. Cover title: Anacortes. Illustrated. Washington.

1908 Public Library, Muncie, Indiana

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This vintage post card was sent to Miss Flora Turner, Williamsburg, Indiana.

In 1901, the city of Muncie received a $50,000 Carnegie grant. Architect Marshall S. Mahurin of Fort Wayne, who also designed the 1893 Fort Wayne City Hall, designed the classical revival building. The cornerstone was laid on 1 June 1902, and the official opening was 1 January 1904. Above the entrance is the legend "This building the gift of Andrew Carnegie. Built anno Domini 1902." On either side of this are reliefs of female figures, identified as Law, Science, Prose, Art, Poetry, and Music.

The Muncie Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 17 June 1976 as building #76000019. Ten years later, the library received the Althea Stoeckel Award for Historic Preservation for the renovation of the interior of the building. [A very big thank you to Waymarking.com, www.waymarking.com] More information about the Carnegie Library in Muncie Indiana, including contemporary photos, can be found here.

Carnegie Libraries: The Future Made Bright

Part of the National Park Service's Teaching with Historic Places Lesson Plans, the website Carnegie Libraries: The Future Made Bright is replete with fascinating information about one of the 20^th Century’s most intriguing figures, Andrew Carnegie.

It is probably safe to say that most anyone reading this will have visited a library at some time in their life. According to the American Library Association (ALA) there are an estimated 123,129 libraries of all kinds in the United States today. Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie’s donations of more than $40 million paid for 1,679 new library buildings in communities large and small across America. About thirty-six Carnegie libraries exist in New Jersey, where I live.

It is probably safe to say that there are millions of visits to currently operating Carnegie libraries in the United States every year. In 2004, over one million people visited the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh alone. The impact of Carnegie is immeasurable.

The National Park Service (NPS) has developed a wonderful site for use as a lesson plan for educators that detail the history and contributions of Carnegie and his libraries. For those unfamiliar with the history of the libraries, the NPS website serves as a simple introduction.

Before Carnegie, the public library system suffered from a lack of money and resources, insufficient book collections, and limited memberships. Buying books and building libraries were, for most citizens, a low priority. The generosity of Andrew Carnegie accelerated the development of American libraries. His donations provided communities across the country with millions of dollars to build new libraries.

The site gives a sample of the form used for applying for applying for a Carnegie grant, examples of Carnegie libraries and background history, samples of library building plans, and detailed information on the Carnegie libraries in Medford (WI), Connellsville (PA), Richfield (UT), Spokane (WA), and Girard (KS).

Why the National Park Service you may ask? They are the focus of the NPS because many of the Carnegie libraries are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit the site and gain a deeper appreciation for these wonderful places!

WEBSITE [http://www.nps.gov/history/Nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/50carnegie/50carnegie.htm]

1906 Flower Memorial Library WATERTOWN NY

Beautiful vintage postcard published by the Rotograph Company, no. H6242a.

ERECTED BY MRS. EMMA FLOWER TAYLOR
IN MEMORY OF HER FATHER, EX-GOVERNOR FLOWER.
Cost of building with decorations, $250,000.
The cornerstone was laid JULY 11, 1903, by MRS. TAYLOR,
with a prayer by REV. Archdeacon Joiner and address by MR. S.F. BAGG. The building was completed and presented to the city of Watertown NOVEMBER 10, 1904. The building was designed by the architectural firm of ORCHARD, LANSING & JORALEMON. [SOURCE] On the National Register of Historic Places: Flower, Roswell P., Memorial Library (added 1980 - Building - #80002628)

Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library Website

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