Carnegie Free Library

The story

Written by AI from this property's National Register nomination and the record above; every sentence is checked against its sources before it appears here. Corrections: privacy@treealive.com

The Carnegie Free Library is a Richardsonian Romanesque building at 1507 Liberty Ave. in McKeesport, Allegheny County, built between 1900 and 1902. William J. East and Daniel Stratton were its architects and builders, and the site covers 1.5 acres.

Why it's listed

It was listed in the National Register in 1980 under criteria A and C, with local-level significance in architecture and social history. Its significance runs from 1900 to 1902, its construction years.

Physical character

The plan is cruciform, with a slate roof over a rock-faced ashlar foundation. An octagonal tower carries a stepped roof, and the cross gables have heavy stone cornices. A stone stairway is broken by a series of landings; the doorway is Norman-arched, and engaged three-quarter columns carry crocket capitals. Openings include narrow slits and small, square single sash windows, with an acanthus frieze, projecting gargoyles and ashlar medallions for ornament. An auditorium was added in 1930; the roof forms include a gambrel and a small dome.

Historical context

The McKeesport Woman's Club asked Andrew Carnegie for library funds in 1899, and the McKeesport City Council approved an annual maintenance appropriation in 1900. It served as a library and was a museum at the time of its listing.