We're planning to spend a few days in Marceline, Missouri - the boyhood home of Walt Disney. While researching what there is to see and do in Marceline, I started following the Marceline Public Library on Facebook. I know our own local library often has events that they post on social media, so my thought is that public libraries are good sources for trip planning!
The Marceline library is a Carnegie Library - a public library that the building was funded in part or in whole by Andrew Carnegie in the early 1900s in response to requests made from local residents or governments. I wasn't familiar with the Carnegie distinction, but as I learned more about it, I thought of the stories those buildings could tell and the lives they had touched - some over the course of 120 years or more. And it made me wonder just how many Carnegie Libraries were still standing, and more importantly, were still serving the community as intended.
So interestingly enough, I could not find a comprehensive map of Carnegie Library locations, but Wikipedia had lists of locations by state and an indication of whether the building was still there and in what capacity it was being used. I had to search for each state individually, and the data had not been updated since 2013, but it was a good place to start to see if there were more Carnegie Libraries along our route. You see, we have visited and toured some pretty interesting old libraries on previous trips, so surely there will be some if we just know where to look. So between Google Maps and the Wikipedia list, I created our own Carnegie Library Trail for our trip.
I've listed the libraries by state and town and included links to the library sites when available, and if I was able to find a picture of the building, particularly one from around the time it was new, I've included those as well. [The pictures are posted from URLs so photo credits are available if you follow the link.] Most of the towns were already on our route, a few will require a little detour, and some are places we plan to spend the night. A few on the list are no longer serving as libraries, but I've kept them on the itinerary because of their location or their new use is of interest as well. I found that some of the libraries in other parts of the states are now occupied by arts and culture centers, historical societies, or the local visitor / tourism office. For some of the locations, the libraries will be closed on the day(s) we are there, but I am as interested in the building as I am in the library itself.
So, if you're ready, get your library card and check out our Carnegie Library Trail!
Oklahoma
Kansas
The Dodge City building serves as the Carnegie Art Center.
Nebraska
The Beatrice building now serves as a visitor center.
Missouri
Iowa
The Le Mars site now serves as the Le Mars Art Center
The Sioux City Carnegie Library has been converted into affordable housing apartments.
Wisconsin
The Waupaca site is now home to the Holly History and Genealogy Center.
Michigan
The Petoskey library is notable for having been a place where Hemingway spent a lot of his time.
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Indiana
Instead of a photo of the Poseyville library, check out this video with its history.
Tennessee
Georgia
I know what you're thinking - that's a lot of libraries to visit. And you're right. I'm sure we won't make it by all of them, but that's okay. This trip is about seeing the Middle States, really seeing them, not just the main tourist attractions, although some of these Carnegie Libraries are on their towns' historical tour itinerary. Libraries hold so much of a locality's history and heritage and showcase the talent of its patrons and community. We've used our local library's resources and materials for several aspects of planning this trip; I expect the libraries on our trail will also contribute to our activities.
I'll leave you with these parting words from Andrew Carnegie himself. In a letter to Dr. S.J. Nichols of St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Carnegie wrote:
"The buildings should be dignified, but not ornate. The building is only the frame; the treasures of a LIbrary are within."
~ Cindy D.
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