Manitowoc in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Century of Service: Manitowoc Public Library 1900-2000
Photographed By Melinda Roberts, July 14, 2012
1. A Century of Service: Manitowoc Public Library 1900-2000 Marker
Side one of the marker
Inscription.
A Century of Service: Manitowoc Public Library 1900-2000. . Manitowoc has a rich library tradition. Around the Civil War several efforts were made to provide library services, but failed primarily due to lack of funding. During 1898 and 1899 the Clio Club, a women's literary group, raised $4,700 to establish a library supported by public taxation. Manitowoc's first public library opened on March 13, 1900 in rooms above the US Post Office. It was clear the new library was too small. Andrew Carnegie was solicited and on December 29, 1902 a response was received that $25,000 would be donated for a library if the city maintained the structure and supplied a suitable site., The Carnegie Library on North Eighth Street opened on August 27, 1904 and served Manitowoc until after ,
(Continued on other side), (Continued from other side). World War II when several branch libraries were established. By the mid-1950s overcrowding forced the library board to consider building a new library., In 1964 the library received a federal building grant. In November 1965 ground was broken after the Common Council approved the remaining funds. The Hamilton Street library opened on January 14, 1967., For more than 30 years the Hamilton Street library served the needs of the community and the demands of changing technology. In the mid-1980s it became apparent the community was outgrowing the library. Following the completion of a successful capital campaign, the new Manitowoc Public Library opened its doors on September 2, 1998. The new library at 707 Quay Street, in historic downtown Manitowoc, is a beautiful addition to the legacy of library service in our community.
Manitowoc has a rich library tradition. Around the Civil War several efforts were made to provide library services, but failed primarily due to lack of funding. During 1898 and 1899 the Clio Club, a women's literary group, raised $4,700 to establish a library supported by public taxation. Manitowoc's first public library opened on March 13, 1900 in rooms above the US Post Office. It was clear the new library was too small. Andrew Carnegie was solicited and on December 29, 1902 a response was received that $25,000 would be donated for a library if the city maintained the structure and supplied a suitable site.
The Carnegie Library on North Eighth Street opened on August 27, 1904 and served Manitowoc until after
(Continued on other side)
(Continued from other side)
World War II when several branch libraries were established. By the mid-1950s overcrowding forced the library board to consider building a new library.
In 1964 the library received a federal building grant. In November 1965 ground was broken after the Common Council approved the remaining funds. The Hamilton Street library opened on January 14, 1967.
For more than 30 years the Hamilton Street library served the needs of the community and the demands of changing technology. In the mid-1980s it became apparent the
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community was outgrowing the library.
Following the completion of a successful capital campaign, the new Manitowoc Public Library opened its doors on September 2, 1998. The new library at 707 Quay Street, in historic downtown Manitowoc, is a beautiful addition to the legacy of library service in our community.
Erected 2000 by Manitowoc County Historical Society in cooperation with the Friends of the Manitowoc Public Library.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1793.
Location. 44° 5.463′ N, 87° 39.446′ W. Marker is in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in Manitowoc County. Marker is at the intersection of Quay Street and South Eighth Street (U.S. 10), on the right when traveling east on Quay Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 707 Quay St, Manitowoc WI 54220, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Manitowoc Public Library. (Submitted on July 16, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2012, by Melinda Roberts of De Pere, United States. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2012, by Melinda Roberts of De Pere, United States. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings • Can you help?