Property Record
701 MAIN ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Racine Carnegie Public Library |
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| Other Name: | Racine Heritage Museum |
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| Reference Number: | 11076 |
| Location (Address): | 701 MAIN ST |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Year Built: | 1903 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1999 |
| Historic Use: | library |
| Architectural Style: | Neoclassical/Beaux Arts |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | JOHN LAWRENCE MAURAN |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Racine Public Library |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/20/1981 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. The original funding for construction was provided by Andrew Carnegie ($50,000). He provided funding for public libraries in cities without proper library facilities across the country. The building was expanded in 1989 [B]. The museum today houses the extensive Hoy Bird Collection, mounted by Dr. Philo Hoy between 1847 and 1891. He was a [physician and naturalist] and an internationally known amateur ornithologist, as well as founder of the Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Letters. The Racine Public Library is currently located at 75 Seventh Street. 2016- "History is right at our doorstep. This prominent building is an original Carnegie Library, built with support from the Carnegie Foundation, intended for public and free access to learning and knowledge for all citizens. Hear the story of its transformation from a library to a museum." -"41st Annual Tour of Historic Places: Southside Historic District", Preservation Racine News, Fall 2016, Volume 6. Prepared by Pippin Michelli (2016). IT WAS DESIGNED BY JOHN LAURENCE MAUREN (1866-1933) OF ST. LOUIS. HIS DESIGN WAS DESIGNATED "THE LIBRARY BEAUTIFUL" BY THE WESTERN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION IN 1902. THE RACINE PUBLIC LIBRARY USED THE BUILDING UNTIL 1958. RACINE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM MOVED INTO THE BUILDING IN 1963. Resurveyed November 2009; appearance unchanged. 2009: "This 2-story Beaux Arts building was constructed in 1903 and is irregular in plan with alternating courses of brick and limestone throughout the masonry veneer on all sides. The front (west) elevation has a central projecting entry bay with a large rounded arch framing the doorway. The front door is capped by a pediment that is supported by two Ionic columns. Windows are 1-over-1 double-hung and single-pane casement. A decorative cornice with dentil motif runs the perimeter of the building just below the roofline." |
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| Bibliographic References: | [A]. RACINE JOURNAL TIMES 9/21/1995. [B]. 1998 phone conversation with Pam Priesler, library business assistant. Racine Daily Journal 5/29/1903, p. 1. Racine Daily Journal 2/11/1903, p. 1. Hand in Hand, 1897-1972: Racine Public Library, 75 Years of Community Service, Racine: Racine Public Library, 1972. Assessor's records. HISTORIC 6TH ST. BUSINESS DISTRICT WALKING TOUR GUIDE, 1990. "Architecture/History Survey of 7th Street from 9th Street to Main Street in the city of Racine, WI. October, 2009. WHS Project #10-0922, Prepared by Gail Klein." Renewing Our Roots: A Guide To Racine, Wisconsin, Central City, Southside, Preservation-Racine, 1977. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |