Gresham Carnegie Library
a.k.a. Gresham Pioneer Museum
410 N. Main St., Gresham, OR Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
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 name "Oregon" comes from a mistake. The name was first used by French Canadian explorers who mispronounced the word "Ouragan" which means "hurricane" in French. They used it to describe the powerful Columbia River, and the name stuck.
The arrival of European explorers in the late 18th century marked the beginning of significant changes for the region. In 1806, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark journeyed through the area while on their famous expedition. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that permanent European settlement began. In 1843, a group of pioneers led by William Overton and Asa Lovejoy established the settlement of "Stumptown" on the banks of the Willamette River, which would later become Portland, the county seat of Multnomah County.
As Portland grew, Multnomah County was officially established in 1854, named after the Native American tribe that had originally inhabited the area. The county quickly became a hub of economic activity, predominantly due to its strategic location and accessibility to the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River. Rapid industrialization followed, fueled by the timber, shipping, and manufacturing sectors that thrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Throughout its history, Multnomah County has also been shaped by significant social and cultural movements. In the late 19th century, Portland became known as a progressive city, advocating for women's suffrage, environmental conservation, and workers' rights. The county was also deeply impacted by the forced removal of Native American tribes due to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to significant changes in the region's demographics and culture.
Today, Multnomah County remains a vibrant and dynamic part of Oregon. It is home to a diverse population and continues to be an important economic and cultural center in the Pacific Northwest. The county's rich history, from its Native American roots to its prominent role in the development of the region, contributes to its unique identity and ongoing growth.
Multnomah County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Multnomah County, Oregon.
- 1854 - Multnomah County is officially created on December 22, 1854.
- 1855 - East Portland is established as a separate city from Portland.
- 1874 - The city of East Portland is annexed by Portland, merging the two cities together.
- 1914 - The historic Burnside Bridge in Portland is completed, connecting downtown Portland with the Eastside.
- 1950 - The population of Multnomah County reaches over 400,000.
- 1975 - The Oregon Convention Center is opened in Portland.
- 1986 - The first light rail line, MAX Blue Line, begins operating in Multnomah County.
- 2014 - The Sellwood Bridge, a major transportation artery in the county, is replaced by a new bridge.
- 2017 - The Multnomah County Library system celebrates its 150th anniversary.
- 2019 - The population of Multnomah County exceeds 800,000.