Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum (Jacksonville) facts for kids
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | 101 West 1st Street (formerly 1116 North Laura Street) Jacksonville, Florida |
| Public transit access | Bus: L8, L7, Monorail: Rosa L. Parks Station Northbank Line
Southbank Line
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The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Jacksonville, Florida, was a special place. It was one of several Karpeles museums across the United States. These museums are unique because they are often located in old, repurposed buildings. Other Karpeles museums are found in cities like Buffalo, New York, and Santa Barbara, California.
The museums display manuscripts and important documents. These items come from the private collection of David and Marsha Karpeles. Their collection is known as the largest privately owned collection of manuscripts in the world. The Jacksonville museum opened in 1992. It was housed in a building that used to be the First Church of Christ, Scientist. This building is in Jacksonville's Springfield neighborhood.
The Museum Building
The building that housed the Karpeles Museum is very impressive. It stands at the entrance to the Springfield neighborhood. It also overlooks Henry J. Klutho Park and Hogans Creek. The building was constructed in 1921. It cost about $80,000 to build back then.
The building has a grand front with large columns. This style is called Classical Revival. It was unusual for a church of that time. Most churches had steeples or bell towers, but this one did not. The architects who designed it were Marsh & Saxelbye. W.D. Gerbrich was the builder.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, started holding services in Jacksonville in 1892. The church officially formed in 1897. They met in different places before moving into this building in 1921. The building is located at 101 West 1st Street. It is considered an important historical building in the Springfield area.
In 1992, the church sold the building to David Karpeles. The church then closed down in 1993.
About the Karpeles Museum
The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Jacksonville opened its doors in 1992. It was owned by David Karpeles. He was a former math professor. He became very successful by investing in real estate. Later, he started collecting rare manuscripts.
In 1983, David Karpeles began opening museums. He wanted to share his huge collection with the public. His collection grew to be the largest in the world. The Jacksonville museum usually featured three or four exhibits each year. These exhibits came from Karpeles' own collection. Sometimes, they also showed items from other collectors. The museum also hosted about six art exhibits.
The museum kept many of the building's original features. These features showed its history as a church. For example, it had large stained glass windows. It also had an altar area and upstairs seating. Some items from the church were left behind. These included a piano and a collection of books. The museum turned these books into a special library. Visitors could sit comfortably and read them. Since the building was a Christian Science church, most books were about religion or medicine. However, there were also many classic books.
After 30 years of operation, the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Jacksonville closed in 2023. Later in 2023, new owners bought the building. They reopened it as Karpeles Grand. It is now used as a venue for events.
See also
- List of former Christian Science churches, societies and buildings
