Browns Valley Carnegie Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Browns Valley Carnegie Public Library
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The Browns Valley Carnegie Library from the north-northwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Broadway Avenue & 2nd Street, Browns Valley, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1915–16 |
| Built by | McClure Construction Company |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001762 |
| Designated | August 15, 1985 |
The Browns Valley Carnegie Library is a special building in Browns Valley, Minnesota. It was finished in 1916. This building used to be a library, and it was a gift from a very rich man named Andrew Carnegie.
Today, the building is important because of its beautiful design. It also shows how important education was to communities long ago.
What is a Carnegie Library?
A Carnegie library is a library building that was built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie. He was a very wealthy businessman. Carnegie believed that everyone should have access to books and learning.
Between 1883 and 1929, he helped build over 2,500 libraries around the world. Most of these were in the United States and Canada. He gave money for the buildings. The towns then had to provide the land and pay for the books and staff.
Why is This Building Special?
The Browns Valley Carnegie Library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. The library was added to this list in 1985.
It is important for two main reasons:
- Architecture: It is considered the most important building from the early 1900s in Browns Valley. It was built in the Neoclassical style. This style often uses grand columns and balanced designs.
- Education: The library shows how Andrew Carnegie helped small towns get libraries. These libraries were very important for learning and reading in communities.
What Happened to the Library?
The Browns Valley Public Library used this building for many years. It served the community until 1997. At that time, the library moved to a new, more modern building.
Since 1997, the Browns Valley Historical Society has used the old library building. They use it to store historical items. This helps keep the history of Browns Valley safe.
