Carnegie Carnegie LibraryLibrary

By Cherisse BradyBy Cherisse Brady&&

Krista WassenaarKrista Wassenaar

Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie• Born November 25, 1835. Born November 25, 1835. • Moved to US in 1846.Moved to US in 1846.• Owned nation’s largest steel Owned nation’s largest steel

plant.plant.• Sold his company to J.P. Sold his company to J.P.

Morgan for $ 480 million.Morgan for $ 480 million.• Preached the Gospel of Preached the Gospel of

Wealth.Wealth.• Gave $ 311, 594, 230 in gifts to Gave $ 311, 594, 230 in gifts to

various organizations. various organizations.

Mankato, MNMankato, MN

Mankato, MNMankato, MN• On April 7, 1894 the Mankato City Council passed a On April 7, 1894 the Mankato City Council passed a

resolution creating a Free Public Library.resolution creating a Free Public Library.• The library was first housed in the 2The library was first housed in the 2ndnd floor of the YMCA at floor of the YMCA at

313-315 S Front St.313-315 S Front St.• Andrew Carnegie donated $40,000 to build a new public Andrew Carnegie donated $40,000 to build a new public

library.library.• The city had to provide a suitable site and agree to The city had to provide a suitable site and agree to

continuous support through local tax funds.continuous support through local tax funds.• The City Council advertised a national competition for a The City Council advertised a national competition for a

library design -- for a prize of $100.library design -- for a prize of $100.

The Structure in The Structure in the Beginningthe Beginning

• The architects were Jardine, Kent, and The architects were Jardine, Kent, and Jardine.Jardine.

• Its structure is one of only a few that Its structure is one of only a few that included a rotunda for the shelves of included a rotunda for the shelves of books.books.

• Used a steel beam and truss roofing Used a steel beam and truss roofing system to minimize the internal walls on system to minimize the internal walls on the 1the 1stst floor. floor.

• Downsized the original plan to come in Downsized the original plan to come in under budgetunder budget

• Contract price was $30,082 – without Contract price was $30,082 – without electric wiring and fixtures.electric wiring and fixtures.

• The contractors were J.B. Nelsen & The contractors were J.B. Nelsen & Company.Company.

• Mankato stone was used exclusively for Mankato stone was used exclusively for the building.the building.

The Interior in the The Interior in the BeginningBeginning

• $1,200 was budgeted for $1,200 was budgeted for interior paint decoration.interior paint decoration.

• The painter was Odin Oyen. The painter was Odin Oyen. • Used a strange mix of Used a strange mix of

Egyptian, Greek, and Egyptian, Greek, and Renaissance styles.Renaissance styles.

• Photographs of Oyen’s Photographs of Oyen’s exquisite work were taken and exquisite work were taken and exhibitedexhibited at the national St. at the national St. Louis Exposition.Louis Exposition.

Interior Interior CharacteristicsCharacteristics

The Structure The Structure TodayToday

• Underwent more than $450,000 Underwent more than $450,000 of restoration work and of restoration work and remodeling.remodeling.

• The exterior was sandblasted The exterior was sandblasted and cleaned.and cleaned.

• The building was brought into The building was brought into fire code compliance.fire code compliance.

• Electrical re-wiring was done to Electrical re-wiring was done to the entire building.the entire building.

• Plumbing was updated.Plumbing was updated.• Roof was repaired.Roof was repaired.

The Carnegie Arts The Carnegie Arts CenterCenter

• It is the largest visual arts center in south central It is the largest visual arts center in south central Minnesota.Minnesota.

• Founded in 1979 by the Mankato Area Arts Council.Founded in 1979 by the Mankato Area Arts Council.• It purchased the historical Carnegie Library in 1981.It purchased the historical Carnegie Library in 1981.• It is a community-based, nonprofit arts organization It is a community-based, nonprofit arts organization

committed to strengthening local visual arts.committed to strengthening local visual arts.• It houses the works of local artists.It houses the works of local artists.

Works Cited:Works Cited:• Bobinski, George S. Carnegie Libraries: Bobinski, George S. Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact onTheir History and Impact on

American Public Library Development.American Public Library Development. Chicago: American Chicago: AmericanLibrary Association, 1969Library Association, 1969

• Berkin, Miller, Cherny, & Gormly, Berkin, Miller, Cherny, & Gormly, Making America: A History of theMaking America: A History of theUnited StatesUnited States, Vol. Two: Since 1865, Second Edition, Vol. Two: Since 1865, Second Edition

• Carnegie, Andrew. Carnegie, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie.Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie. Boston and Boston andNew York: Houghton and Mifflin Company, 1920New York: Houghton and Mifflin Company, 1920

Special Thanks to:Special Thanks to:• Rosemary Froen for the use of her grant request presentation.Rosemary Froen for the use of her grant request presentation.• Blue Earth Historical Society for the use of their archives.Blue Earth Historical Society for the use of their archives.