Carnegie Libraries

[Image description: The Elroy Public Library celebrated its centennial and that of the Carnegie building in March of 2008.]

Andrew Carnegie was often referred to as the ‘Patron Saint of Libraries’.  He donated $56,162,622 for the construction of 2509 library buildings throughout the English-speaking parts of the world.  He donated $40,000,000 for the construction of 1679 public library buildings in the United States.

Sixty Wisconsin communities were the recipients of 63 public library grants from Andrew Carnegie.  In addition, two academic institutions also received Carnegie library grants.  Twelve of these Carnegie buildings have been razed, and 29 are no longer used as libraries.  Most of the Carnegie buildings that continue to be used as libraries have received various expansions and modifications. Years in which Carnegie library grants were received (not including the 3 branch libraries) along with the number of libraries: 1901(7); 1902 (9); 1903 (12); 1904 (3); 1905 (8); 1907 (3); 1908 (1); 1911 (2); 1912 (2); 1913 (5); 1914 (3); 1915 (3).  Only six other states received more Carnegie grants than Wisconsin.

Other Internet sites that feature postcards of Wisconsin Carnegie Libraries

• The Library Postcard site of Sharon McQueen and Richard Douglas
• The Library Postcard site of Judy Aulik

If you have more up-to-date information about any of the buildings below please contact me at nix@libraryhistorybuff.org .

Wisconsin Carnegie Public Library Buildings

* Antigo received its Carnegie grant in 1903.

Arcadia received its Carnegie grant in 1905.

Baraboo received its Carnegie grant in 1902.The building is still used as a public library. The centennial of the building was celebrated in 2003.  It has been expanded to the rear but the original building and facade are preserved.

Barron received its Carnegie grant in 1912.

Bayfield received its Carnegie grant in 1903. The building is still used as a public library.

** Beloit received its Carnegie grant in 1901.

Berlin received its Carnegie grant in 1903.

* Black River Falls received its Carnegie grant in 1914.

** Chippewa Falls received its Carnegie grant in 1902.

* Clintonville received its Carnegie grant in 1915.

Columbus received its Carnegie grant in 1903.

Cumberland received its Carnegie grant in 1905; the building opened in 1906; more info.

* Darlington received its Carnegie grant in 1904 and the building opened in 1905. It now houses the Lafayette County Historical Society.

* Durand received its Carnegie grant in 1905.

* Eau Claire received its Carnegie grant in 1902.

Edgerton received its Carnegie grant in 1905. A significant expansion of the building was completed in March 2006 in a way that maintains the architectural integrity of the original Carnegie building.

Elroy received its Carnegie grant in 1905. The library building was dedicated on March 4, 1908.  It was remodeled in 2000. The Elroy Public Library celebrated its centennial in 2008.

** Fond du Lac received its Carnegie grant in 1902.

* Green Bay received its Carnegie grant in 1901.

* Hayward received its Carnegie grant in 1903.  The Hayward Carnegie library building is being used as a retail store.  The interior has undergone a very nice rennovation/restoration.  The original circulation desk is still there.

* Hudson received its Carnegie grant in 1903.

* Janesville received its Carnegie grant in 1901. The Carnegie building has been remodeled as a center for senior citizens.

* Jefferson received its Carnegie grant in 1911.

Kaukauna received its Carnegie grant in 1902. The building has a major addition and is still being used as a public library. It was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in March, 1984.

Kilbourn (See Wisconsin Dells)

* Ladysmith received its Carnegie grant in 1907. It was converted into a bed and breakfast.

** Madison (Main) received its Carnegie grant in 1907.

* Madison (Sixth Ward Branch) was constructed in 1912.

** Manitowoc received its Carnegie grant in 1902.

* Medford received its Carnegie grant in 1913.  The Medford Carnegie library building is now used as a community chamber of commerce facility.

Merrill received approval for  Carnegie grant in 1907, but it was not until October, 1909 that the City Council accepted the grant. The building has been significantly expanded and remodeled Postcard image.

** Neenah received its Carnegie grant in 1901.

Neillsville received its Carnegie grant in 1913.

New London received its Carnegie grant in 1903.

* Platteville received its Carnegie grant in 1914.

* Plymouth received its Carnegie grant in 1908.

* Racine (Main) received its Carnegie grant in 1901. The building currently serves as the home of the Racine Historical Society.

*Racine (Uptown Branch) was constructed in 1913.

* Reedsburg received its Carnegie grant in 1911.

Rhinelander received its Carnegie grant in 1903. The building has been remodeled to the point that it is no longer considered eligible for the National Register of Historical Places.

** Rice Lake received Carnegie grant in 1903.

** Richland Center received its Carnegie grant in 1903.

* Ripon received its Carnegie grant in 1902. For postcard image and other memorabilia click here.

Shawano received its Carnegie grant in 1914.

** Sheboygan received its Carnegie grant in 1901. The building was razed to make way for an expanded art museum. A small part of the former building is incorporated into the grounds of the art museum

** South Milwaukee received its Carnegie grant in 1915.

Sparta received its Carnegie grant in 1902.

** Stevens Point received its Carnegie grant in 1902.

Stoughton received its Carnegie grant in 1905. The Carnegie building was incorporated into a major expansion in a way that it maintains its status on the National Register of Historical Places. The main floor of the original Carnegie building has been substantially restored to its original condition and is well worth a visit.

* Sturgeon Bay received its Carnegie grant in 1911.

* Superior (Main) received its Carnegie grant in 1901. The building was completed in 1902 and has the distinction of being the first Carnegie library in Wisconsin. The building has been vacant since 1991 and is in danger of being demolished. A group called the Friends of the Carnegie has purchased the building with the intent to preserve it. Postcard image front. Postcard image back.

* Superior (East End Branch).  The building was constructed in 1917 and has the distinction of being the last Carnegie library built in Wisconsin.  The building currently serves as a private residence.

Tomah received its Carnegie grant in 1915.

* Two Rivers (the building no longer serves as a public library) received its Carnegie grant in 1913.

Viroqua received its Carnegie grant in 1904. Postcard image #1. Postcard image #2.  In a remodeling and expansion of the building its facade was replaced in such a way that it is not eligible for the National Register of Historical Places.

Washburn received its Carnegie grant in 1903.

* Watertown received its Carnegie grant in 1905.

Waukesha  received its Carnegie grant in 1902. The Carnegie building was incorporated into a much larger new building.  It's a nice space but it lost its eligibility for the National Register of Historical Places.

* Waupaca (the building no longer serves as a public library) received its Carnegie grant in 1913.

* Waupun [Waupun Public Library] received its Carnegie grant in 1904. The new library opened on October 21, 1905. It now houses the Waupun Heritage Museum) Postcard image front. Postcard image back.

** Wausau received a Carnegie grant in 1903.

** Wauwatosa received its Carnegie grant in 1905.

* West Allis received its Carnegie grant in 1913.

* Wisconsin Dells (originally listed as Kilbourn) received its Carnegie grant in 1912. The building has been relocated to park across from new library and houses offices.

Wisconsin Carnegie College Library Buildings

* Beloit College's Carnegie Library now houses the Pettibone Center for World Affairs.

** Lawrence University's Carnegie Library building was demolished in 1974.


* Communities marked with a single asterisk still have their Carnegie building but the building is no longer used as a library.

** Communities marked with a double asterisk have demolished their Carnegie buildings.