For more than a century, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall has been a beloved space for learning, connection, creativity and belonging.
Join us in celebrating 125 years of building community at the Carnegie Carnegie this year!
We’re celebrating in ways big and small and staying true to our motto by offering something for everyone.
Our doors first opened to the public on May 1, 1901 — our official birthday. This year, we’re bringing a most fitting jazz ensemble, Indestructible, led by legendary drummer Roger Humphries and acclaimed trombonist (and Carnegie’s own) Reggie Watkins, to the Music Hall on May 1 to celebrate.
May 1 also kicks off our BirthDAY of Giving campaign — an opportunity to give back to the library and music hall in a way that’s meaningful to you and that supports our work. Giving back might mean donating, signing up to volunteer, getting a library card, attending a show or participating in a free program — or maybe all of the above!
Over the year, we’ll be working to expand our offerings for our youngest patrons, too. With more out-of-school-time programming, a dedicated teen space, and a slate of summer reading activities coming up, we’re working to engage the next generation in meaningful experiences that will help them learn and grow.
A new concert series for children and families this fall will help connect our library and music hall programs while reaching more folks in our community as well.
This year will also be when we join the Civil War Trails network. While we’ve long been a historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, joining Civil War Trails will connect us to more than 1,500 historical Civil War sites across six states. Ours will be the first site in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Speaking of historic sites, if you’ve never been to our Captain Thomas Espy Post, or if it has been a while, now is a great time to visit, as we’ve recently added two restored uniform pieces and other key artifacts, including a drum, to the room. Stop by any Saturday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to see what’s new.
In addition to our connection to national history, another way we’re celebrating our 125 years of service is by making it easier for community members to connect with our shared local history.
Launched earlier this year, the Carnegie Community Archive is a collection of digital materials that tell the story of what’s now the Borough of Carnegie, and was known as Mansfield and Chartiers before these two boroughs merged in 1894.
Starting with the April 1975 issue of the Mansfield Item newspaper (an annual subscription cost $1, paid in advance), this collection spans well over a century of Carnegie life.
The Archive includes 33 years of the Mansfield Item, from 1975 through 2008; 53 years of the Carnegie Union, from 1888 through 1941; three years of the Gateway Press (Carnegie and West Area), from 1992 through 1994; and 88 years of the Carnegie Signal Item, from 1908 through 1996.
We’re also happy to offer digitized copies of the yearbooks from Carnegie High School (and later Carlynton Junior/Senior High School), spanning the years of 1915 through 1968.
All of the newspaper issues are fully searchable — no need to comb through years of scanned papers to find what you’re looking for. You can look up older relatives, community organizations, stories about our schools, local government activities — all of the elements that make up the fabric of life in a small community like ours.
Curious to know what Carnegieans thought about major events of the time? You can look up local stories about both World Wars, the Great Depression, Watergate, the Civil Rights era, numerous Olympic competitions … and this barely scratches the surface.
Can’t wait to dig in? While the Carnegie Community Archive will eventually be fully accessible online, if you’d like to explore the collection now just reach out to us and set up an appointment.
You can email evansw2@CarnegieCarnegie.org or call 412-276-3456, ext. 12. We’ll schedule a time to get you acquainted with the collection, show you how searching works, and answer any questions you might have — then you’re welcome to explore to your heart’s content.
Who knows what lost treasures you may turn up?
All this and more is in store this milestone year. As we celebrate 125 years of the Carnegie Carnegie, we invite you to join us and help write the next chapter of our extraordinary story.
To learn more, visit CarnegieCarnegie.org.
Marlee Gallagher is the executive director and Walker Evans is the library director of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall.
