Lakeland Currents: Save The Carnegie

Season 9, Episode 5

Between 1883 and 1929, Andrew Carnegie, a self-made steel tycoon, funded the construction of 2,509 libraries throughout the world, including more than 1,600 in the United States. One of those libraries still stands today in downtown Bemidji – and a group of local residents is fighting to ensure that building remains standing long into the future. The Save the Carnegie Steering Committee has been working since 2012 to raise $1.6 million to preserve and repair the 106-year-old building. Lakeland Currents host Bethany Wesley welcomes to the program Lew Crenshaw, chairman of the committee, and Cathy Marchand , treasurer of the committee. Together, they explore the history of the Bemidji Carnegie Library and discuss why they believe the library should be preserved for future generations.

Upcoming Save the Carnegie fundraising Events

June 11 – Carnegie Art & Craft Fair – Inside Carnegie Library
July 16 & 17 – Art in the Park – Library Park and Carnegie LibraryAugust 6 – Depot Days – Beltrami County History Center
September 14 – Community Pint Night – Bemidji Brewing
December 4 – 4th Annual Winter Tea – Northwest Minnesota Foundation

Historic Photos of the Carnegie Library – Courtesy of the Beltrami County Historical Society