Bryan Carnegie Library - Bryan, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 30° 40.379 W 096° 22.401
14R E 751650 N 3396305
The Carnegie Library is a two-story brick masonry Classic Revival structure. It is now the Bryan Carnegie History Center. Open Tue - Fri.
Waymark Code: WMY5NA
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2018
Views: 6
NRHP Nomination Form
The Library, built in 1903 from plans designed by the architect T. E. Gieske of Texas A&M University's Architectural Department, was essentially a two-story rectangular structure with a two-story portico and projecting foyer on its west, or main facade, identical bay windows on its north and south sides, and an eastern facade with no major projections.
The Library's red brick exterior has not been modified since its construction. The western (main) facade consists of a four column, three bay portico flanked on each side by a single bay. The portico has smoothly plastered untapered columns with finely detailed plaster Corinthian capitals and moulded plaster bases. The pedimented portico has a modillioned cornice, which is repeated on each of the building's four sides and above the bay windows. The pediment contains a circular window framed with pateras and fillets of stucco acanthus and oak leaves.
A new public library was constructed in 1968, and the Carnegie Library was occupied by the Bryan City Planning and Traffic Departments. The Library was carefully renovated to maximize the reversability of the alterations. The fine coffered ceilings and cast iron pillars on the interior were not removed, and flourescent office lighting was dropped from the ceiling on an independently suspended grid.