The First Carnegie Library in Kansas:




The Carnegie Arts Center's beautiful historic building was originally one of 64 Carnegie Libraries in Kansas.  Funds for the construction of the library building were provided by philanthropist and steel barron Andrew Carnegie (Carnegie Steel) who believed in self-improvement through learning and a society based on merit.  The drive to establish a public library in Leavenworth was originally initiated by local women's literacy groups.  Construction began in 1900, and in 1902 the first Carnegie Library in Kansas opened to the public.


Thirty-seven years later in 1939, the large stacks area (where the books were kept) was added to the east end of the building.  The new addition was every bit as grand as the original bulding, with two stories of bookshelves and floor to ceiling windows.  The beautiful neoclassical structure served the city of Leavenworth as a library unitl 1985, when the library grew too large for the building.  The Leavenworth Public Library then moved to its present location, leaving the original building empty.



Bringing the Arts to Leavenworth:


After two years, the building found a new use.  Two Leavenworth artists, Rebecca Johnson and Mary Ellen Maxwell wanted to open a fine arts center to serve Leavenworth county and needed a building.  They found what they were looking for in the old Carnegie Library building.  After acquiring the building from the city, and months and months of hard work, the Carnegie Arts Center opened.  The old library building had been transformed!  The original offices had become music studios, the children's reading room had become a classroom and pottery studio, the library stacks had become an art gallery, and the meeting room had become a dance studio.  Over twenty years later the Carnegie Arts Center continues to provide Leavenworth and the surrounding communities with quality fine arts education.



An Uphill Battle:


Historic buildings have a lot of charm.  They also have a lot of problems.  The Carnegie Arts Center has seen more than its fair share of repairmen.  Shortly after opening, the Carnegie faced many structural repairs, including work on the windows, roof, and drainage systems.  The building has come a long way in the past 22 years, but the work is not over yet.  Anyone interested in learning more about what they can do to help is encouraged to contact the Carnegie Arts Center.




last updated 12/23/09