Kellogg Public Library and Neville Public Museum

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018

1. Kellogg Public Library and Neville Public Museum Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Michael R. Matucheski and Diane H. Filipowicz, 5/1981:
A small-scale statement of Neoclassical form, the Kellogg Public Library is an unusually solemn and elegant variation

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018

2. Kellogg Public Library and Neville Public Museum Marker

The marker is mounted on the south facade of the building, just to the right of the entrance.

of Carnegie library design characteristic of the early twentieth century. In addition to being a fine work by a locally significant architect, the building represents a social/humanitarian achievement in the city in the concerted effort of the city, the Church, and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to provide a social and educational facility. The severity of Henry A. Foeller's design for the Kellogg Public Library in Green Bay raises the modest-sized structure to the monumental, consistent with the public auditorium, county courthouse and annex, and post office in the immediate area.

As a public service and educational facility, the construction of Green Bay's Kellogg Public Library marked an important point in the civic development of the city, and a fruitful exercise in private (Carnegie), public (City of Green Bay) and church (Bishop Messmer) sponsored support. The building was the first in Wisconsin to be sponsored by a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, whose name is linked with civic betterment nationwide in the funding of such institutions.

The beginnings of the public library in Green Bay date back to the winter of 1883-94 when Rufus B. Kellogg, President of the Kellogg National Bank, introduced the subject in the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The item was then dropped until 1887 when Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Neville inaugurated their "Evenings in Italy" series, proceeds from which were donated to the library fund. In the spring of 1888, the city of Green Bay issued $15,000 in municipal bonds, all of which were purchased by Kellogg who gave them back to the city on the condition that Green Bay appropriate at least $900 annually for library services for a fifty year minimum.

On February 13, 1901, Andrew Carnegie offered the city of Green Bay $20,000 for a library building if the city would furnish a suitable site and agree to support the library at a cost not less than $2,500 annually. This was the first Carnegie Grant made to Wisconsin. One lot upon which the library was built was donated by Bishop Sebastian G. Messmer of Green Bay, while the adjoining lot was purchased by the city. The library opened on February 16, 1903. An addition was built in 1913, partially funded by another Carnegie Grant. In 1926, an east wing was added to the library in conjunction with the establishment of the Neville Museum, which was in keeping with the original style of the library.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018

3. Original Neville Public Museum Entrance (west façade)

From the National Register Nomination:  In 1926, the library's museum was moved to separate quarters in a southwest wing designed by Marvin S. Stephenson of the firm Foeller, Schober & Stephenson of Green Bay. Temple fronts raised above the basement-story entrance on the northwest and south facades of the museum, each covering a single large rectangular window, constitute the only articulation on the otherwise blank limestone walls. Double-door entrances are set beneath a console- supported cornice and pediment (on the west and south elevations, respectively) in the center of the principal facades. A divided concrete balustrade forms an open forecourt before the west entrance. NEVILLE PUBLIC MUSEUM is inscribed in the frieze of the entablature on the west facade of the museum wing.

Excerpt:  In 1883, local businessman Rufus Kellogg proposed the idea of establishing a library for the city of Green Bay. After a few years, funding was provided by Arthur Neville and a Carnegie Grant. Built in 1902, local architect Henry Foeller designed the Neo-Classical Building. An addition was constructed in 1914. In 1925, construction began on the east wing which became the home of the Neville Public Museum when it was finished in 1927. In 1974, a new city library was built leaving the Kellogg Library vacant. It was later rehabilitated to commercial offices and is known as Jefferson Square.

Excerpt:  The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 1981, for its significance in architecture and social history. It was built in 1901 in the Classical Revival architectural style.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018

4. Original Carnegie Library Entrance (west façade)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018

5. Carnegie Library Building (built 1901-1903) (west elevation)

Known today as the Jefferson Court Building, it houses Green Bay's offices of the United States District Court - Eastern District of Wisconsin.
From the National Register Nomination: One story in height, raised above a full basement, the 46x96-foot rectangular building is dominated by a center Ionic portico atop three runs of wide stairs. The double-door entrance, with fixed overlight and flanking narrow overlighted windows, is prefaced by a mosaic tile floor with classical border. A plain pediment with antefix crowns the coursed, cut Bedford limestone walls; the entablature with plain frieze is carried across the walls under the cornice. Regular rectangular window openings composed of single large glass plates topped by fixed overlights, underscored by limestone sills, alternate with wide limestone pilasters on all elevations. Corresponding square plate glass windows light the basement story beneath.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2018

6. Jefferson Court Building / Kellogg Public Library / Neville Public Museum (SW elevation)