Eureka Springs' Carnegie Library to Celebrate Centennial This Year
Photos available: 501-682-7609; www.arkansasmediaroom.com
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Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
In addition to shopping venues, Victorian architecture, Thorncrown Chapel, The Great Passion Play, music shows, unique lodging, tons of events, and other tourist attractions, the town of Eureka Springs is rich in history. Part of that history will be celebrated this year with the centennial of its Carnegie Public Library.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Andrew Carnegie founded 2,509 libraries in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the Web site, www.carnegie.org, he spent more than $55 million of his wealth on libraries alone.
In 1910 a group of residents from Eureka Springs petitioned Andrew Carnegie for funds to build a public library in the town. Carnegie agreed to donate $12,500 for a library, contingent upon the city providing funds for a librarian, books and utilities.
For a full century, citizens of Eureka Springs have shown their appreciation of Carnegie’s generous gift to the town by patronizing, maintaining, upgrading, and enhancing the Carnegie Library. The original stone building now houses not only books, periodicals, and newspapers, but internet access, books on tape, and a CD and DVD collection. The library sponsors children’s programs, book club discussions, and language classes. Materials not owned by the library can be borrowed through “Interlibrary Loan,” a free service which can access the resources of libraries across the nation.
“The people of Eureka Springs cherish their history. One of the most remarkable aspects of that history is the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library. How it came to be here in our little town, and how it has continuously served the community for one hundred years, is worthy of recognition and honor,” said Lynn Larson, a centennial committee member and past library board member.
“It is a fulfillment of Andrew Carnegie's belief that knowledge should be freely available to all, regardless of financial means or station in life. We are proud to carry on the legacy, providing materials and resources that bring the world of information to every patron free of charge.”
The library is one of only two remaining Carnegie-funded libraries in Arkansas. “There were four and now there are two that are still being used as libraries,” Larson explained. Morrilton’s is still in use as a library. The Carnegie Library in Little Rock was razed in 1964, and the one in Fort Smith serves as a television production studio.
To ensure the long-term existence of the library and to celebrate the centennial, events such as book fairs, teas, garden parties, and lectures will be held every month throughout the year 2010.
Some of the main events include the library foundation’s annual book festival, Books in Bloom, scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. on May 10 at The Crescent Hotel. Local area authors will serve as guest speakers and sign copies of their books.
The big centennial birthday party set for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 13 at the library will include balloons, food, music, games, cake and party favors.
The Eureka Springs Preservation Society Victorian Tea from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 11 at The Crescent Hotel Conservatory has a $20 admission fee that will go toward restoration of the library annex. Free of charge, a Friends Victorian Tea is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Eureka Inn. The town’s annual Silver Tea, which takes place during the holiday season, will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at The Crescent Hotel.
“We’re doing a lot of partnering with other groups throughout this year,” Larson said.
The annual Robert Burns Night in Eureka Springs is an example. In its 11th year, the annual fete will be Jan. 23, near the date of the famous poet’s birthday, which is Jan. 25. This year Andrew Carnegie will also be toasted and celebrated. Larson said Carnegie, who was Scottish, was known to memorize some of Burns’ poems. Scheduled at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center, event tickets are $40.
“We are pretty rigid about free public library, but it is one paid event,” added Larson. “There are other events that we hope will develop as the year goes on but we just don’t have commitments yet from speakers and such.”
In addition to the events being a draw, the Classical Revival-style building itself is interesting to explore for those who enjoy architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and constructed of locally quarried limestone. The architecture of Carnegie’s libraries was typically simple and formal. Many welcome patrons to enter by ascending a staircase to a prominent doorway as a symbolization of a person’s elevation by learning. Outside, a lamppost stood for enlightenment. Eureka Springs’ library has a main entry accessed by two staircases leading up from each side. Two sconces with large round globes flank each side of the door.
On Feb. 21, Dr. Ethel Goodstein Murphree, associate dean and professor at the University of Arkansas School of Architecture, will discuss the historic details of the libraries architecture.
For more information and details about events, visit the library’s Web site at www.EurekaLibrary.org or call 479-253-8754. The library is located at 194 Spring St. in the historic downtown.
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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
*************************
Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
In addition to shopping venues, Victorian architecture, Thorncrown Chapel, The Great Passion Play, music shows, unique lodging, tons of events, and other tourist attractions, the town of Eureka Springs is rich in history. Part of that history will be celebrated this year with the centennial of its Carnegie Public Library.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Andrew Carnegie founded 2,509 libraries in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the Web site, www.carnegie.org, he spent more than $55 million of his wealth on libraries alone.
In 1910 a group of residents from Eureka Springs petitioned Andrew Carnegie for funds to build a public library in the town. Carnegie agreed to donate $12,500 for a library, contingent upon the city providing funds for a librarian, books and utilities.
For a full century, citizens of Eureka Springs have shown their appreciation of Carnegie’s generous gift to the town by patronizing, maintaining, upgrading, and enhancing the Carnegie Library. The original stone building now houses not only books, periodicals, and newspapers, but internet access, books on tape, and a CD and DVD collection. The library sponsors children’s programs, book club discussions, and language classes. Materials not owned by the library can be borrowed through “Interlibrary Loan,” a free service which can access the resources of libraries across the nation.
“The people of Eureka Springs cherish their history. One of the most remarkable aspects of that history is the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library. How it came to be here in our little town, and how it has continuously served the community for one hundred years, is worthy of recognition and honor,” said Lynn Larson, a centennial committee member and past library board member.
“It is a fulfillment of Andrew Carnegie's belief that knowledge should be freely available to all, regardless of financial means or station in life. We are proud to carry on the legacy, providing materials and resources that bring the world of information to every patron free of charge.”
The library is one of only two remaining Carnegie-funded libraries in Arkansas. “There were four and now there are two that are still being used as libraries,” Larson explained. Morrilton’s is still in use as a library. The Carnegie Library in Little Rock was razed in 1964, and the one in Fort Smith serves as a television production studio.
To ensure the long-term existence of the library and to celebrate the centennial, events such as book fairs, teas, garden parties, and lectures will be held every month throughout the year 2010.
Some of the main events include the library foundation’s annual book festival, Books in Bloom, scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. on May 10 at The Crescent Hotel. Local area authors will serve as guest speakers and sign copies of their books.
The big centennial birthday party set for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 13 at the library will include balloons, food, music, games, cake and party favors.
The Eureka Springs Preservation Society Victorian Tea from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 11 at The Crescent Hotel Conservatory has a $20 admission fee that will go toward restoration of the library annex. Free of charge, a Friends Victorian Tea is scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Eureka Inn. The town’s annual Silver Tea, which takes place during the holiday season, will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at The Crescent Hotel.
“We’re doing a lot of partnering with other groups throughout this year,” Larson said.
The annual Robert Burns Night in Eureka Springs is an example. In its 11th year, the annual fete will be Jan. 23, near the date of the famous poet’s birthday, which is Jan. 25. This year Andrew Carnegie will also be toasted and celebrated. Larson said Carnegie, who was Scottish, was known to memorize some of Burns’ poems. Scheduled at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center, event tickets are $40.
“We are pretty rigid about free public library, but it is one paid event,” added Larson. “There are other events that we hope will develop as the year goes on but we just don’t have commitments yet from speakers and such.”
In addition to the events being a draw, the Classical Revival-style building itself is interesting to explore for those who enjoy architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and constructed of locally quarried limestone. The architecture of Carnegie’s libraries was typically simple and formal. Many welcome patrons to enter by ascending a staircase to a prominent doorway as a symbolization of a person’s elevation by learning. Outside, a lamppost stood for enlightenment. Eureka Springs’ library has a main entry accessed by two staircases leading up from each side. Two sconces with large round globes flank each side of the door.
On Feb. 21, Dr. Ethel Goodstein Murphree, associate dean and professor at the University of Arkansas School of Architecture, will discuss the historic details of the libraries architecture.
For more information and details about events, visit the library’s Web site at www.EurekaLibrary.org or call 479-253-8754. The library is located at 194 Spring St. in the historic downtown.
####
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"