Fairfield Library, Carnegie Museum celebrate 130th anniversary

The Carnegie Historical Museum and the Fairfield Public Library are celebrating a joint 130th anniversary this year! These two institutions have a long history dating back to 1892 when The Carnegie Library was founded to create a permanent library for the town's collection.

The very first Fairfield Library reaches back to 1852, when Ward Lamson and Christian Slagle started the library in a downtown storefront, but it wasn’t until September of 1892 that the Carnegie Library, in its iconic red brick building, opened its doors for the first time.

Industry magnate Andrew Carnegie donated $30,000 to help in building a permanent library for the town's collection. It was the first of hundreds of Carnegie-funded libraries to be built west of the Mississippi River and served as a model for later projects. It was also one the few libraries Carnegie funded without stipulations concerning its use, public support, or design. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Carnegie Library building still stands today, though it is no longer used for its original purpose. The Carnegie Historical Museum is still on the third floor and Indian Hills Community College has taken over the rest of the building. The Fairfield Public Library itself moved to a new prairie style building in 1996 and continues to provide access to information of an educational and recreational nature for the residents of Fairfield.

According to Alecs Mickunas, Library Director, “The Fairfield Public Library board of trustees and our library staff strive to embody that same industrious spirit and commitment to the community that was so characteristic of our founders. We continue to be deeply committed to the protection of intellectual freedom; to providing inclusive, innovative and highly enjoyable programs and essential services to all our library patrons; and to nurturing an appreciation for literature and the search for greater understanding of our life’s purpose.”

The Carnegie Historical Museum is home to numerous exhibits from the Smithsonian but in more recent years has become known as a showcase of Fairfield history, including significant contributions Fairfield made to the Civil War and the Underground Railroad.

"The Carnegie Historical Museum is a vital part of Fairfield's history,” said Museum Director Mark Shafer. “It has preserved the stories of the early settlers, the Civil War, early business successes and the educational institutions that have shaped our city. The museum is a place where everyone can come to learn about our past and to understand how we got to where we are today.”

Over the years, these two organizations have enriched the community with access to books, technology, and historical information for all ages. Both continue to offer services that are free and open to the public.