Lincoln Branch Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln Branch Library
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Lincoln Branch Library viewed from the southeast
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 Location in Duluth
Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2229 W. 2nd Street, Duluth, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1915–17 |
| Built by | Joseph Hanson |
| Architect | Abraham Holstead & William J. Sullivan |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 12001175 |
| Added to NRHP | January 14, 2013 |
The Lincoln Branch Library is an old building in Duluth, Minnesota. It used to be a library and was built between 1915 and 1917. This building was the first permanent home for a Duluth Public Library branch. This branch first opened way back in 1892.
The Lincoln Branch Library is a special kind of building called a Carnegie library. This means it was built with money given by Andrew Carnegie, a very rich businessman. The building looks like an old castle, in a style called Late Gothic Revival. It was the last of three Carnegie libraries built in Duluth.
Library services moved to a new building in 1990. Two years later, in 1992, the Duluth Art Institute (DAI) bought the empty library building. The DAI still uses the building today. They have art studios, teach classes, and host many events there.
In 2013, the Lincoln Branch Library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. It was chosen because it shows how libraries started to open branches in different neighborhoods. This helped make sure everyone, especially people in working-class areas, could easily use library services.
About the Building
The Lincoln Branch Library is a single-story building. It is shaped like a rectangle and built in the Late Gothic Revival style. The original building is about 69 feet long and 51 feet wide. There is also an addition that is about 32 feet by 36 feet. The outside walls are made of brown and dark red bricks. It also has light-colored limestone decorations.
The front of the building faces southeast. This is where the main entrance is located. A concrete staircase with brick and limestone railings leads up to the doors. The entrance has two wooden doors with glass panels. These doors are framed by limestone. Above the doorway, you can see the letters "DPL" carved into the stone. This stands for Duluth Public Library. Right above the doors, it says "Lincoln Branch Library." Old-fashioned square lanterns stand on each side of the entrance.
The building has many windows. On the ground floor, there are two groups of five windows. Above these, on the first level, there are two groups of seven windows. A limestone band separates the ground floor from the first floor. There are also carved stone shields placed evenly along this band. The original staircase was rebuilt in 1996, but they used the same limestone.
The southwest side of the building has a large pointed roof section called a gable. In the middle of this gable is a tall, three-part Gothic window. This window is framed in limestone. Two stone shields are on either side of the window. There is also another entrance on the west side. This entrance has wooden doors with arched glass and leads to what was once called the "Club Room."
A garage was built on the northwest side of the building. This garage covers some of the original wall. It seems that some windows were removed when the garage was added. The northeast side of the building looks similar to the southwest side. It also has a gable with the same type of window and stone shields. There is a brick chimney at the north corner of the building.
The building has been updated over the years. However, most of these changes were made to follow building rules. They did not change the building's historic look very much. Around the building, you can see some trees and garden areas. There is also a well-kept lawn.
History of the Library
In 1891, people in Duluth's West End wanted a library. This area is now known as Lincoln Park. So, a group of citizens met with the Duluth Library Board. The West End Branch Library opened in 1892 in a room in a building called the Irwin–Sloan Block.
However, the library faced some tough times. It closed due to money problems in 1893 and again in 1896. Even with a gift from a Duluth resident, it closed once more around 1900. Luckily, the library reopened in January 1908. For several years, it moved to different places but stayed open.
In April 1915, money was set aside to buy land for a permanent library. Andrew Carnegie then gave $30,000 to build the new library. Abraham Holstead and William J. Sullivan were chosen as the architects. Joseph Hanson was the builder. The plans for the library were ready by April 1916.
The library was named the Lincoln Branch Library because it was close to Lincoln Park. Construction continued through 1917. The grand opening was held on August 30, 1917. About 500 people came to the special ceremony! The library officially opened to the public on September 1. The Lincoln Branch Library was the third and last Carnegie library built in Duluth. The other two were the main Duluth Public Library (built in 1902) and the West Duluth Branch Library.
In 1966, a garage was added to the library. This garage was used to keep two bookmobiles. The building continued to be a library until October 1990. At that time, a new library took over serving the western part of Duluth.
The Duluth Art Institute bought the building in November 1992. They said they bought it to get more space. They also wanted to "reach under-served communities" with art programs. In 1997, the garage addition was updated. The garage doors were replaced with windows.
Images for kids
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Lincoln Branch Library viewed from the southeast
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View from the west with garage addition on left
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Detail of main entrance on the southeast face
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca Sucursal Lincoln para niños
