Ironwood Carnegie Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ironwood Carnegie Library
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 235 E. Aurora St. Ironwood, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1901 |
| Built by | Donald and Egan |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000948 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 2011 |
The Ironwood Carnegie Library is a special library located at 235 E. Aurora Street in Ironwood, Michigan. It holds a unique record: it's the oldest Carnegie Library in Michigan that has been open continuously since it was built! Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
Contents
A Look Back: The Library's History
The idea for a public library in Ironwood started way back in 1892. At first, the library was located inside the Ironwood City Hall.
How the Library Got Built
In 1900, a very famous businessman named Andrew Carnegie offered to help. He promised $12,000 to Ironwood to build a brand new library. Mr. Carnegie often gave money for libraries, but he had a few rules. The town had to provide the land for the building and promise to take care of the library once it was built.
In 1901, Mr. Carnegie actually gave even more money, adding another $5,000 to his gift! The building was constructed that same year by Archie Donald and Daniel Egan, who were builders from Ashland, Wisconsin. The total cost was $17,000.
Michigan's First Carnegie Library
This library was very important because it was the first Carnegie Library ever built in the state of Michigan! The library officially moved into its new building in 1901, and a special ceremony to open it happened in January 1902.
What's Inside Today?
Even after all these years, the Ironwood Carnegie Library looks much like it did when it first opened. Only small changes have been made to the building. You can still see some of the original chairs, tables, and even the main desk where books were checked out!
What Does It Look Like?
The Ironwood Carnegie Library is a smaller building. It's built using two main materials: brownstone and brick. This gives it a classic and sturdy look.
