Mr. Carnegie's Grand Tour of Washington

Andrew Carnegie : : 

Andrew Carnegie : Making Libraries Free to All

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The Carnegie Library Consortium of Washington is a special initiative of the Clark County Historical Museum in Vancouver, WA.

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The Carnegie Library Consortium of Washington celebrates Carnegie libraries – the cultural legacy of 19th-century steel magnate Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919).

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Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant, came to America with his family in 1848 in the hope of a better future. They settled near Pittsburgh in Allegheny, PA.

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In a rags-to-riches story of the American Dream, Carnegie started working in a factory but soon began climbing the ladder in business.

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While still a teenager, Carnegie was allowed access to the personal library of a wealthy businessman. Carnegie never forgot the opportunity the library provided in furthering his education. Col. James Anderson, an iron manufacturer in Allegheny City, PA, during the mid-1800’s, opened his private library to the public each Saturday afternoon.

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The experience also taught Carnegie a valuable lesson: Anyone who works hard can be successful.

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Upon his retirement, Carnegie had become the richest man in the world, amassing a $500-million fortune (worth about $200 billion in today’s dollars).

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Believing that “the man who dies rich, dies disgraced,” Carnegie’s retirement years were spent giving away his fortune through cultural donations.

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Remembering Col. Anderson’s benevolent gesture of opening his library to less fortunate boys, Carnegie launched a library program of his own. “In bestowing charity... help those who help themselves.”

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Between 1883 and 1929, Carnegie’s fortune built 2,509 libraries around the world. Of those, 1,681 were built in America.

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Forty-one Carnegie libraries dotted Washington’s small towns and big cities. Six were built in Seattle alone; another four in Spokane.

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Today, 33 Carnegie libraries survive in Washington State; many are at least 100 years old. Some are still functioning libraries; one is a French restaurant. Others have been adapted as museums, municipal buildings and businesses.

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Carnegie paid for construction of libraries. But it was up to the community and its members to financially support the library and take advantage of all that it offered.

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Carnegie libraries are known for stately beauty. They are elegant, often symmetrical and employ classical elements of architecture.

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Carnegie libraries have many architectural features in common, such as: (a) a large staircase and grand entry to symbolize how acquisition of knowledge and culture elevates a person

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Carnegie libraries have many architectural features in common, such as: (b) lamp posts to symbolize the enlightenment that knowledge provides

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Carnegie libraries have many architectural features in common, such as: (c) the use of brick or stone indicating that knowledge is strength. It also showed the intent of the library’s role as a lasting pillar of the community.

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Many Carnegie libraries still exist. Though some have been adapted for reuse as museums, municipal and business offices, and homes, they continue to serve their community.

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You can visit some of Washington’s Carnegie libraries by using Mr. Carnegie’s Grand Tour of Washington, an annual automobile-based adventure tour that spotlights participating Carnegie libraries and heritage sites across the state. Contact this site for information.

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Some Carnegie libraries are in your own backyard. Site-specific Carnegie library information goes here...

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A special initiative of the Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver, WA