A Tudor Revival style Carnegie library built in 1904
A Classical Revival style Carnegie library built in 1906. It was praised by the local newspaper for its "tasteful simplicity"
Most Carnegie Libraries have a distinct style with variations, making them immediately identifiable in any small town. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie would give grants to build a library to almost any town that requested and agreed to conditions.
Vancouver had a Carnegie library but after a couple of moves for newer and bigger locations, in 1995, a Roman Revival* library was built to resemble the current day Colosseum.
*not a real term, I made it up
some free public buildings for Thursday Postcard Hunt
I guess the idea of simplicity has changed during the last century... Anyway, I love seeing postcards about libraries. Maybe every town should issue one, whatever the style of its library! Even if it is a Roman Revival building ;)
ReplyDeleteMy postcards are on this post.
There are some Carnegie Libraries in towns near me, like you say all different, a great worldwide legacy.
ReplyDeleteMy buildings are here
Thank you for posting this on the A to Z April Blogging Challenge site! I love postcards and I love stamps, so thought I'd join in.
ReplyDeleteLibraries is a great pick for public buildings. I've visited almost all of the branches in my system, but alas, no postcards, just photos.
Thanks,
Lisa
https://lisasgardenadventureinoregon.blogspot.com/2024/02/thursday-postcard-hunt-public-buildings.html
What an interest story about the Carnegie library! I learn so much from these postcards! The first listed is so cute. The round one is original....
ReplyDeleteSo many small towns had postcards of their library back in the early part of the century.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I think of the Vancouver library, but I've never seen it in person.