Bryant Public Library, 430 Main Street South, Sauk Centre, Minnesota
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Bryant Public Library | |
| Address: | 430 Main Street S |
| Neighborhood/s: | Original Main Street Historic District, Sauk Centre, Minnesota |
| City/locality- State/province |
Sauk Centre, Minnesota |
| County- State/province: |
Stearns County, Minnesota |
| State/province: | Minnesota |
| Year built: | 1904 |
| Primary Style: | Renaissance Revival |
| Additions: | 1909: cupola added for natural lighting.
1998: two wing additions to Library. |
| Major Alterations: | Significant Alterations |
| Historic Function: | Library |
| Current Function: | Library |
| Architect or source of design: | Plans provided by Carnegie Foundation |
| Material of Exterior Wall Covering: | Brick |
| Material of Roof: | Composition |
| Material of Foundation: | Stone |
| First Owner: | City of Sauk Centre |
| Notes: | Carnegie Grant: $10,000 in 1903 for building + $1,000 for new roof in 1907.
Other names: Sauk Centre Public Library |
(45.7354642° N, 94.9519435° W)
| National Register of Historic Places Information | |
| Certification date: | August 5, 1994 |
| Level of significance: | National |
The Bryant Public Library, now known as the Sauk Centre Public Library is one of 65 public libraries built in Minnesota with funds from Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Corporation. Between 1899 and 1917, Carnegie, a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist contributed close to 1 million dollars towards library construction in Minnesota. This makes Minnesota the eighth largest recipient of Carnegie Library grants in the United States.
History
On February 12, 1903 the city of Sauk Centre secured $10,000 from Carnegie to build the Bryant Public Library. Plans were provided by the Carnegie Foundation and the library was completed in 1904. A further $1,000 was granted by Carnegie in 1907 to replace the roof of the original building.
While the Carnegie grant was used to construct the building, the Sauk Centre community had to provide a suitable site and were expected to tax themselves at the annual rate of 10% of the grant amount. This requirement imposed by Carnegie ensured a long-term commitment for the purchase of books, staff costs and maintenance of the library building.
The Bryant Public Library was named in honour of the American poet William Cullen Bryant. It continues to function as a library and is now called the Sauk Centre Public Library. This name is in fact closer to the original name of the Sauk Centre Library Association which was established in 1869.
Along with Bryant, the other notable author connected to the Carnegie Library in Sauk Centre is Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) the author of Main Street. The Bryant Public Library is located in the Original Main Street Historic District which is of national significance because of its association to Lewis.
Building Description
The Bryant Public Library is a one and a half storey Renaissance Revival style building with a raised basement defined by a simple stone water table. The brick building is covered with a low-pitched, hipped roof and topped by a square hipped-roofed cupola. The central projecting entrance porch has an arched opening with fanlight and keystone features. The center bay has a gabled roof flanked by recessed panels built into the brickwork. This emphasis on the entrance space creates a monumental opening to the interior of the building.
Additions to the building include the cupola in 1909 to add natural light, and two wing additions in 1998. Others works include re-roofing in 1989, front entry steps added in 1992 and interior renovations in 1998.[1]
Memories and stories
Badges
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This place is part of the Minnesota Carnegie Libraries Tour |
Photo Gallery
Related Links
Sauk Centre Public Library website
Notes
- ↑ The information provided in this entry is from the Bryant Public Library file held at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
