Carnegie Libraries of Kansas
Thematic Nomination and Multiple Property Documentation
National Register of Historic Places
Statewide / Multi-County
The Carnegie Libraries of Kansas (ca. 1902-1921) are significant under Criteria A & C for their historical association wth the Carnegie Corporation Library Building Program and for their architectural significance as a new building type. Sixty-three Carnegie-funded libraries were built in Kansas during the first three decades of the 20th century; four of these libraries were built on college campuses. In most cases, the Carnegie funded library represent the community's first library building; although, many Kansas communities had book clubs and library organizations well before the Carnegie Corporation Library Building Program was founded. In the case of the four college libraries, the building represented the first structure which was solely devoted to housing the institution's books and providing space. Many of the Carnegie libraries built in Kansas reflect the high space utilization design guidelines promoted by the Carnegie Corporation after 1910, underscoring the point that before the Carnegie Corporation Library Building Program, few architects and/or builders had experience designing this building type.
Files
Associated Properties
- Anthony Public Carnegie Library (Anthony)
- Burlington Carnegie Free Library (Burlington)
- Canton Township Carnegie Library (Canton)
- Cherryvale Carnegie Free Library (Cherryvale)
- Clay Center Carnegie Library (Clay Center)
- Coffeyville Carnegie Public Library Building (Coffeyville)
- Columbus Public Carnegie Library (Columbus)
- Council Grove Carnegie Library (Council Grove)
- Downs Carnegie Library (Downs)
- El Dorado Carnegie Library Building (Old) (El Dorado)
- Eureka Carnegie Library (Eureka)
- Fort Scott Public Carnegie Library (Fort Scott)
- Girard Carnegie Library (Girard)
- Herington Carnegie Public Library (Herington)
- Hutchinson Carnegie Library Building (Labor Temp) (Old) (Hutchinson)
- Independence Public Carnegie Library (Independence)
- Kingman Carnegie Library (Kingman)
- Lincoln Carnegie Library (Lincoln)
- Lyndon Carnegie Library (Lyndon)
- Manhattan Carnegie Library Building (Old) (Manhattan)
- Old Anderson Memorial Library (Emporia)
- Osborne Public Carnegie Library (Osborne)
- Oswego Public Carnegie Library (Oswego)
- Peabody Township Carnegie Library (Peabody)
- Sterling Free Public Carnegie Library (Sterling)
- Washburn University Carnegie Library Building (Topeka)
- Wellington Carnegie Library (Wellington)
- Wichita Carnegie Library Building (Old) (Wichita)
- Winfield Public Carnegie Library (Winfield)
- Yates Center Carnegie Library (Yates Center)