The Carnegie Library in Seaforth circa 1910 - Courtesy of Toronto Public Library
Some local buildings owe their historic roots to a billionaire philanthropist.
Andrew Carnegie owed his riches to the sale of his steel company to J.P. Morgan in 1901. Known for his ruthless business practices, Carnegie turned over a new leaf when he dedicated his fortune to the establishment of public libraries across North America.
Jim Seale, Programming and Community Engagement Coordinator with the Huron County Library is a history enthusiast, he says that thousands of libraries across the continent owe their establishment to Carnegie’s grants,
Locally, the Brussels, Seaforth, Clinton and Goderich libraries were built from money provided by Carnegie, and opened from 1905 to 1912.
It’s possible that libraries as we know them today would not exist without Carnegie, as his intervention cemented the role of the library as an establishment in nearly every community,
The history of libraries in North America is one that’s being forgotten as the role of the library in the community changes, says Seale,
The Goderich Library also owes it’s roots to Carnegie
The transition away from quiet buildings where people went to study and acquire knowledge, to that of a community hub is a transition that the Huron County Library is undergoing with enthusiasm, however, it owes it’s roots to the funds provided by Carnegie more than a century ago.
For more information about Carnegie’s public library philanthropy, you can view archival photographs from the Toronto Public Library (digitalarchiveontario.ca, search Carnegie Libraries Ontario), or you can contact the Huron County Museum, or Library to learn more.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
