203 N Main, Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives (Carnegie Library Building)

Carnegie Library Building, 1904.

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Architect: W.W. Rose, Kansas City

Newton's Carnegie library is one of fifty-five built in Kansas by Andrew Carnegie. Completed in 1904, the cost for the new library was $16,000.

Choosing the classical style put Newton in tune with the common Carnegie style used nationally and highlighted the Greco-Roman tradition. The front facade of the red brick and stone structure is dominated by two massive Ionic columns. Crowning the entrance is a plaster tablet with Roman inscription of the year (A.D. MCMIII). Newton's Carnegie Library was hailed as a "Temple of Learning" and a "power for good."

The architect was W.W. Rose of Kansas City, who designed the Kansas Building at the St Lois World's Fair the same year. By reputation he was "one of the best if the best."

Before the Carnegie library was built, the library was located on the second floor of one of the downtown businesses. A progressive community, like Newton, needed an actual library building. In March 1902. J.W. Patterson, president of the Library Board, applied for and received grant from Andrew Carnegie to build Newton's free library. The land at the corner of 2nd and Main was donated by E. C. Lewellyn and construction began in 1903. A grand opening was held on March 14, 1904.

An addition was added to the west side of the building in 1924 and the basement was remodeled to add a children's section in 1934. The building served the community as a library until a new library was built at Broadway and Oak in 1973.

Today, it continues to serve the community as home to the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives.

The Museum is open 10-4 Tuesday- Friday

Visitors and researchers welcome, admission by donation.

(Kristine Schmucker, Billie Wilson)