Preserving Fairfield’s Past, Building for the Future

The Carnegie Library & Historical Museum has stood as a cornerstone of Fairfield since 1892, when it became the very first of 1,689 libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie. Today, the museum remains more than a building — it is a living archive of Jefferson County’s history and a place where generations come to connect, learn, and celebrate our shared heritage.

Looking Back: The Carnegie Capital Campaign

In 2018, a structural analysis of the Carnegie Museum building laid out the urgent preservation work needed to protect this historic landmark. Over the next seven years, the Carnegie Museum Foundation undertook a four-phase capital campaign, addressing everything from structural stabilization to historic window replacement.

Through this effort, the Foundation joined the Museum Board in overseeing the restoration and stabilization of the museum’s southwest corner, completed extensive tuckpointing, brick cleaning, and parapet repair, and replaced the building’s windows with historically accurate, energy-efficient designs. The front stairs, railing, and sidewalk were also repaired to ensure safe access for all visitors. Thanks to overwhelming community support, generous donors, and matching grants, the million-dollar campaign succeeded in preserving the integrity of this beloved building. The final piece — the installation of historic window blinds this summer — marked the official conclusion of the project.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

While the completion of this campaign is cause for celebration, the work of preserving the Carnegie is far from finished. Guided by the recently completed Existing Conditions Report, the Foundation is preparing to launch its next capital campaign.

Funds from this campaign will be focused on a historic roof restoration and accessible expansion. This project will rebuild the original roofline, which was removed in the 1940s, restoring the building’s distinctive silhouette and honoring its original design. Future fundraising will also include a discreet north-side addition featuring ADA-accessible restrooms on every floor, a modern stairwell and fire escape, and access to the attic for future use. One of the key motivations for the planned addition is the need to provide modern, accessible restrooms while preserving the building’s historic character. Since the Carnegie was not originally constructed with restrooms, this update is essential for both functionality and visitor comfort. These improvements will preserve the historic integrity of the structure while ensuring accessibility, safety, and long-term use for the community.

Ways to Give

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Carnegie Museum Foundation depends on donors to protect both the museum’s extensive artifact collection and its greatest artifact of all — the building itself. Contributions can take many forms, from cash and check donations to gifts of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. Donors may also choose to give through Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, Donor-Advised Funds, or legacy gifts made through estate planning or life insurance. Donations of $1,000 or more are permanently recognized on the museum’s donor wall as a lasting tribute to those who support preserving this community treasure.

The Carnegie Historical Museum has always been a place of connection — where stories are preserved, memories are shared, and history is kept alive. As we close one chapter of restoration and begin another, the Carnegie Museum Foundation invites the Fairfield community, Jefferson County, and beyond to once again join us in protecting this treasure. Together, we can preserve the past and build for the future.