Bryan Carnegie Library
111 S. Main St., Bryan, TXIn 1895, twenty-five women formed the Mutual Improvement Club of Bryan (which became the "Women's Club" in 1909) for the expressed purpose of planting trees along Bryan's streets, creating a city park, and establishing a free public library. In 1902, two of the club's most prominent members, Mrs. Rose Fountain Howell and Mrs. George M. Brandon, assumed sponsorship of fund raising activities for the construction of the library.
A direct appeal for funds was made to Andrew Carnegie through Thomas W. Stewart, a Galvestonian financier whose father had been a close friend of Carnegie. Stewart was the brother-in-law of Li Hie Wilson, whom the mutual Improvement Club had designated as Bryan's first librarian. Stewart succeeded in obtaining a grant of $10,000 from Carnegie for the construction and furnishing of the library. There were no stipulations with the funds, other than an agreement that the city of Bryan would provide a building site, and $1,000 a year for the Library's maintenance and acquisition of books.
The Bryan City Council accepted the agreement and appointed a nine member board of managers for the library, which included Mrs. Howell and Mrs. Brandon. A portion of Bryan's downtown municipal park was chosen as the site for the library, and building contracts were made with the Howell Lumber Company, the H. T. Lewis Construction Company, and F. E. Gieske, the Library's architect who was on the architectural faculty at nearby Texas A&M University.
The Classic Revival Library opened its doors on December 17, 1903. The purchase of books for the library became a community wide project, initiated with a $1500 donation from the Mutual Improvement Club. In addition, substantial contributions from individual citizens of Bryan were received. A private circulating library, founded by Mrs. Howell in 1900, agreed to donate its entire collection to the library, as well as future purchases after each new book had made one circuit among each of the club's members. The Malcom Mclnnis family, prominent local residents, gave a reception for the library's benefit and invited virtually the entire population of Bryan, asking one book per person as the admission charge.
The newly completed library building had a second floor auditorium which became the focal point of Bryan's cultural and civic activity. It was the permanent meeting place of the Women's Club, housed various church congregations during the construction of new buildings, and was the scene of public meetings and political speeches. In 1919, the library was chosen as the permanent reunion hall for the survivors of Hood's Texas Brigade.
The Hood's Texas Brigade Association, a group of confederate veterans from the famed Texas unit,held annual reunions from 1872 to 1933. prior to 1919 the group met at various locations in Texas, twice previously in Bryan, in 1876 and 1902. The utility of the library's auditorium, and the hospitality of the citizens of Bryan appealed to the organization for which a champagne reception was given on the library grounds each year, after the library was designated as the permanent meeting hall in 1919. The Hood's Texas Brigade Association inserted a small plaque to the right of the library's main entrance which reads "Hood's Brigade, Bryan, our last headquarters, and this building our last home."
Hood's Texas Brigade was the most well known of Texas' confederate units, and the only one from Texas which fought as a body, in the eastern theater of the Civil War. General John Bell Hood, the Brigade's commander, was the youngest confederate General, and assumed command of the Wilderness Campaign from fellow Texan, General Albert Sidney Johnston. Hood personally officiated at the reunion each year until his death in 1879. The last known member of the reunion association died in 1934, a year after the last reunion meeting.
During both World Wars I and II the auditorium of the library became a small factory, with Red Cross volunteers preparing shipments of clothing, blankets and bandages.
In 1944, Mrs. Lee J. Rountree, president of the Library's board of managers, established the Children's Educational Foundation, to create a separate library for children which would provide special services and programs. Mrs. Rountree obtained donations from townspeople as well as former residents for the project. The auditorium was slightly altered, with painting and decoration, an in 1953 became the Rountree Room for Children. The stage was occasionally used for the presentation of plays and lectures, and the auditorium itself was filled with shelves of children's literature.
A new public library was constructed in 1968, and the Carnegie Library was occupied by the Bryan City Planning and Traffic Departments. The Library was carefully renovated to maximize the reversibility of the alterations. The fine coffered ceilings and cast iron pillars on the interior were not removed, and fluorescent office lighting was dropped from the ceiling on an independently suspended grid.
The citizens of Bryan are conscious of the architectural and historical value of the Carnegie Library, and plans are being made to restore the structure and use the interior space for a local museum, and as a meeting place for local, civic, historical, and cultural groups.
Bibliography
Texas Historical Commission, Marker files: Carnegie Library. Texas Historical Commission, Austin, Texas.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
1881: Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, begins his philanthropic efforts in library construction by donating funds to build the Braddock Library in Pennsylvania.
1883: The first "Carnegie Library" is officially established in Dunfermline, Scotland, Carnegie's birthplace. This library serves as a model for future Carnegie Libraries.
1886: Carnegie writes an article titled "Wealth," where he articulates his belief in philanthropy and the responsibility of the wealthy to give back to society.
1889: The Carnegie Corporation of New York is established with the aim of funding the construction of libraries across the United States and other English-speaking countries.
1893: The first Carnegie Library in the United States, the Carnegie Library of Braddock in Pennsylvania, is opened to the public.
Late 1890s to early 1900s: The construction of Carnegie Libraries spreads rapidly throughout the United States and other parts of the English-speaking world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The libraries are often designed by prominent architects and feature diverse architectural styles.
1901: The Carnegie Corporation of New York is founded as a philanthropic organization to manage and administer Andrew Carnegie's charitable projects, including the library program.
1902: Carnegie makes a significant endowment, donating $10 million to establish the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Institute includes a library, an art gallery, and a natural history museum.
1917: Andrew Carnegie dies, leaving a lasting legacy of philanthropy, including the establishment of thousands of libraries around the world.
1920s-1930s: The construction of Carnegie Libraries gradually slows down, and the focus shifts to maintaining and updating existing libraries to meet changing community needs.
Late 20th century to present: Many Carnegie Libraries undergo renovations, expansions, or repurposing to adapt to modern library services and technological advancements. Some continue to operate as public libraries, while others have been transformed into cultural centers, museums, community spaces, or educational institutions.
The Carnegie Libraries have left an indelible mark on the accessibility of knowledge and education. They remain a testament to Andrew Carnegie's belief in the power of libraries to uplift communities and provide opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
The county was officially created in 1841 and named after the Brazos River that flows through the area. During the mid-19th century, Brazos County experienced significant economic growth due to the expansion of cotton farming. The construction of railroads in the late 1800s further spurred development, leading to the establishment of new towns such as Bryan, which later became the county seat.
Brazos County played an important role in the Civil War, with many of its residents supporting the Confederacy. Throughout the war, Union troops occasionally invaded the county, leading to skirmishes between soldiers and local militias. The end of the war brought an era of reconstruction and the county, like many others in the South, faced significant economic challenges as it struggled to rebuild.
In the 20th century, Brazos County experienced steady growth and development. The presence of Texas A&M University, which was established in 1876, has had a major impact on the county's economy and cultural landscape. Today, Brazos County is a vibrant community known for its educational institutions, agriculture, and rich history.
Brazos County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Brazos County, Texas.
- 1821 - Mexico gains independence from Spain, including the area that would become Brazos County.
- 1837 - Brazos County is officially founded and named after the Brazos River.
- 1854 - Texas A&M University is established in Brazos County.
- 1861 - The Civil War begins, affecting Brazos County and leading to economic challenges.
- 1882 - The first railroad reaches Bryan, the county seat of Brazos County, enhancing transportation and trade.
- 1900 - The town of Marystown, later renamed College Station, is established near Texas A&M University.
- 1930 - The area experiences significant population growth due to the expansion of Texas A&M University.
- 1943 - During World War II, the Bryan Air Base is established in Brazos County, contributing to the local economy.
- 1970 - George Bush, future President of the United States, moves to College Station and becomes involved in local politics.
- 1999 - The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is opened at Texas A&M University.