Allegheny Center in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Free Public Library Building in the United States
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 9, 2011
1. First Free Public Library Building in the US plaque
First Free
Public Library Building
in the United States
Donated by
Andrew Carnegie
Supported by
Public Funds
Completed in 1890
Women's Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Erected by Women's Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 40° 27.176′ N, 80° 0.333′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Allegheny Center. It can be reached from Allegheny Square East west of East Ohio Street. Located on right side of the building entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15212, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James Hay Reed (within shouting distance of this marker); Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Taze Russell (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Regarding First Free Public Library Building in the United States. The First Free Public Library Building was designated a Pittsburgh Historic Landmark in 1970 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 9, 2011
2. Historic Landmark
The Carnegie Library
of Pittsburgh
Formerly
Carnegie Free Library
Dedicated 1890
Smithmeyer & Pelz, Architects
Pittsburgh History &
Landmarks Foundation
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 9, 2011
3. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Photographed by Dabbs, circa 1890
4. North Side Library and Music Hall
Interior of the Music Hall at the Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in the city of Allegheny, now the North Side section of Pittsburgh.
Courtesy: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Internet Archive
5. Andrew Carnegie
from The Biographical Dictionary of America, 1906, by Rossiter Johnson.
Internet Archive
6. Carnegie Free Library,
Alleghany, Penn.
Alleghany, Penn.
from The Biographical Dictionary of America, 1906, by Rossiter Johnson.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,498 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on June 22, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5, 6. submitted on June 19, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
