Carnegie Library (Guthrie, Oklahoma) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Carnegie Library
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Carnegie Library in 2006
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | 402 East Oklahoma Avenue (corner of Oklahoma Ave. and Ash St)., Guthrie, Oklahoma |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1901 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000666 |
| Added to NRHP | June 21, 1971 |
The Carnegie Library in Guthrie, Oklahoma, is a very old and special building. It was built in 1901. This library was the second one in Oklahoma to get money from Andrew Carnegie. It is also the oldest Carnegie library in Oklahoma that is still standing today!
The Guthrie library first opened its doors on May 20, 1903. It served as Guthrie's main library until 1972. At that time, the city thought about tearing it down. But a kind person named Fred Pfeiffer offered to pay for a new building next door. He said the old library had to stay. The city agreed, and the building was given to the Oklahoma Historical Society. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Today, the old Carnegie Library is part of the Oklahoma Territorial Museum. The museum opened on November 13, 1973.
Contents
A Special Library's Story
How It Started
The Federated Women's Clubs of Guthrie wanted a library. They asked Andrew Carnegie for money to build one. Andrew Carnegie was a very rich businessman. He gave money to build many libraries across the country.
In 1901, Carnegie first gave $20,000 for the library. Then he added another $5,000. The women's club also raised more money. The whole project cost about $35,000. They likely collected books and furnished the rooms too. This was a common way for Carnegie libraries to get started.
Building a Grand Place
Carnegie believed library buildings should look important. He wanted them to show how much the community valued learning. The Guthrie library was designed by J. H. Bennett, a local architect. Its style is called "Second Renaissance Revival."
The building has two stories and an attic. It is made of brick and stone. The main floor has a large room in the center. This room is covered by a beautiful dome, called a rotunda. The dome is 20 feet (6.1 m) wide and rises 50 feet (15 m) high. Around the rotunda were five rooms. These rooms were used for reading, storing books, and club meetings.
Mr. Carnegie's Rules
Andrew Carnegie was not happy when he found out how his money was spent. He learned that funds went to build the rotunda, a meeting room, and fireplaces. He wanted his money to be used only for buying books and shelves. He felt these other things were not necessary.
The Guthrie library was the last Carnegie library in Oklahoma to use his money this way. After this, Carnegie made sure his grants were only for books and shelves.
Important Events
Many important things happened at this building. In 1906, the last governor of Oklahoma Territory, Frank Frantz, was sworn in here. Then, on November 16, 1907, the first state governor, Charles N. Haskell, was also sworn in. This was a very big day for Oklahoma!
The Carnegie Library is part of the Guthrie Historic District. This means it is an important historical building in the area. There is also a statue outside the library. It celebrates the symbolic wedding of "Mr. Oklahoma" and "Miss Indian Territory." This event happened during Governor Haskell's inauguration.
Oklahoma Territorial Museum
The Oklahoma Territorial Museum is a museum that tells the story of early Oklahoma. It has documents and exhibits about the "Unassigned Lands" in Indian Territory. It also covers the exciting Land Run of 1889. This was when people raced to claim land. The museum also shows what life was like for homesteaders. It explains the governments of both Oklahoma Territory and the State of Oklahoma from 1907 to 1910.
The museum building has two stories. It is right next to the old Carnegie Library. The Carnegie Library is now part of the museum. The museum's address is 406 East Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie. The first floor of the new building shows exhibits about the Land Run. It also teaches about the daily life of settlers in Oklahoma Territory. The second floor focuses on government, transportation, education, and entertainment. It also covers how Oklahoma became a state.
