Duluth Public Library (historic) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Duluth Public Library
|
|
The former Duluth Public Library viewed from the southeast
|
|
 Location in Duluth
Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 101 W. 2nd Street, Duluth, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Adolph F. Rudolph |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 78003125 |
| Added to NRHP | May 5, 1978 |
The historic Duluth Public Library building is located in Duluth, Minnesota. It was built in 1902. This building was the very first library made specifically for the Duluth Public Library. It's known for its beautiful Neoclassical architecture. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it's an important historical place. It was recognized for its design and its role in helping people learn.
The library served the community for many years. In 1980, the library moved to a new building downtown. After that, the old building was updated. It was then used as an office building.
Contents
Building a Library: A Gift from Andrew Carnegie
In 1899, something exciting happened for Duluth. A newspaper called the Duluth Evening Herald helped make it happen. They got Andrew Carnegie to donate $50,000. Andrew Carnegie was a very rich businessman. He gave money to build libraries all over the world. Libraries built with his money are called Carnegie libraries.
Later that year, the city bought land for the new library. It cost $16,000. By 1900, a design for the building was chosen. It was created by an architect named Adolph F. Rudolph. The building was going to cost a lot of money. So, the city asked Carnegie for more help. He gave another $25,000. This made his total gift $75,000.
Construction and Opening Day
Building the library started in 1901. The cost was estimated at $68,900. On July 4, 1901, they laid the first stone. This was a special event on Independence Day. When the building was finished, it cost a bit more than the $75,000 Carnegie gave. The city paid for the land and the furniture. The library officially opened its doors on April 19, 1902.
This was the first of three Carnegie libraries in Duluth. The West Duluth Branch Library opened in 1912. The Lincoln Branch Library opened in 1917. In 1927, the main Duluth Public Library building got bigger. An addition was built at the back. This new part held more books and other things.
The Carnegie library building was Duluth's main library until 1980. That's when the library moved to a new spot. After the library moved out, the old building was fixed up. It then became an office building.
Architecture: A Grand Design
The Duluth Public Library building has a grand design. It is a two-story building. It is made of brick and brown sandstone. This style is called Neoclassical. It looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings.
The front of the building is very impressive. It has a large porch area. This porch has four tall columns. These columns are in the Ionic style. They have fancy tops. Above the columns is a triangular part called a pediment. The words "DULUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY" are carved there. The roof of the building has a round dome in the middle.
Inside the Library
Back in 1977, the main entrance was on the basement level. This floor had book storage areas. It also had rooms for workshops. A staircase led up to the first floor. This floor was for children's books and magazines.
A beautiful white marble staircase led to the second floor. This floor had the main desk where you checked out books. It also had more book shelves. There were reading rooms and reference rooms too. These rooms were on both sides of the staircase. Each room had a beautiful stained glass window.
Special Stained Glass Windows
The two stained glass windows were very special. They were designed by Anne Weston. They were made by Louis C. Tiffany Studios.
One window was made in 1893. It shows a character named Minnehaha. She is from a famous poem. The poem is called The Song of Hiawatha. Minnehaha is shown in front of Minnehaha Falls. This window was first shown at a big fair in 1893. Then it was given to the Duluth Public Library.
The second window was made in 1904. It shows Park Point along Lake Superior. When the library moved in 1980, these windows were moved too. They went to the Duluth Depot. In 2011, the windows were loaned to the St. Louis County Historical Society.
