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TIMELINE

  • A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
    From the Library's Grand Beginnings to Today.
  • A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
    From the Library's Grand Beginnings to Today.
  • The Wichita Carnegie Library opening and dedication
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    LIBRARY OPENING
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    1915
  • 1915
    LIBRARY OPENING
    The Wichita Carnegie Library opened to the public on May 14, 1915 and celebrated its dedication on September 29, 1915. Due to the selfless efforts of two dynamic individuals: Andrew Carnegie, one of America’s foremost philanthropists, and Louise C. Murdock, a woman of insurmountable determination who has left a lasting impression in Wichita. To the citizens, the Wichita Carnegie Library was a cathedral of learning, fine art and cultural ideals symbolizing the convergence of education, business and art.
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  • Wichita outgrows the Wichita Carnegie Library
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    OUTGROWING PUBLIC NEEDS
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    1957
  • 1957
    OUTGROWING PUBLIC NEEDS
    The library grows in its use and importance to the citizens of Wichita. In 1937, the library held over 116,000 books and circulation exceeded a million books annually. With a staff of 43, the Wichita Carnegie Library was already bursting at the seams. In 1957, the Wichita Carnegie Library could no longer hold the volumes nor sustain the need. A new building was proposed for completion in 1967, directly across the street.
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  • Opening of the new public library across the street
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    WICHITA PUBLIC LIBRARY OPENS
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    1967
  • 1967
    WICHITA PUBLIC LIBRARY
    The Library Moves Across the Street With the help of over 600 Wichita students, the library collection was moved from the Wichita Carnegie Library to the new Wichita Public Library directly across the street.
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  • From library to a center for the exploration of sciences
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    OMNISPHERE & SCIENCE CENTER
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    1976
  • 1976
    OMNISPHERE & SCIENCE CENTER
    Omnisphere & Science Center It was in 1967 when the City of Wichita moved its public library location from the Wichita Carnegie Library to its current location across the street. This left the Wichita Carnegie Library building in a period of transition. Its use during these years varied from court proceedings to scientific education and finally storage.
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  • Now a landmark with its listing in the National Register of Historic Places
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    WICHITA CARNEGIE LIBRARY
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    1987
  • 1987
    A NATIONAL LANDMARK
    Listing on the National Register of Historic Places Far more than a structure to house books, the Wichita’s Carnegie Library gave visitors the feeling that they were entering a cathedral to learning, fine art and cultural ideals. The importance of this building was made evident by its lavish Beaux Arts styling and opulent aesthetics and is acknowledged with the listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
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  • The Omnisphere & Science Center closes with the opening of Exploration Place.
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    A BUILDING IN TRANSITION
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    2000
  • 2000
    A BUILDING IN TRANSITION
    With the opening of Exploration place the Omnisphere & Science Center in the Wichita Carnegie Library building is closed and becomes city storage for six more years.
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  • The Wichita Carnegie Library is purchased
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    NEW OWNERS - NEW VISION
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    2006
  • 2006
    A NEW VISION
    In 2006, a locally-owned fourth generation family business, Fidelity Bank, purchased the Wichita Carnegie Library and began renovations with a new vision for the building. Fidelity’s primary design goals were to preserve the remaining historical character, renovate where possible to create executive quality office space and to establish a convenient yet appropriate link between the newly acquired Carnegie building and the Bank’s adjacent corporate office tower.
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    Wichita Carnegie Library prior to 2009
  • A landmark is preserved and a vision restored
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    A VISION RESTORED
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    2009
  • 2009
    A LANDMARK PRESERVED
    A Vision Restored. A Landmark Preserved Adapting the Carnegie Library to new use has made this remarkable building productive once again and has preserved one of Wichita’s most important landmarks. Fidelity Bank has accepted the responsibility of being good stewards of the Carnegie Library Building. This landmark building not only helps us better serve our business community, it also stands as a lasting tribute to Mrs. Murdock, Andrew Carnegie and all those who have contributed to the cultural advancement of Wichita.
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  • Celebrating 100 years of Wichita's historic cultural landmark
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    100TH ANNIVERSARY
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    2015
  • 2015
    100th ANNIVERSARY
    100th Anniversary of the Wichita Carnegie Library. Celebrating Wichita’s historic symbol of the convergence of education, business and art.
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When it was originally opened in 1915, the Wichita Carnegie Library marked the beginning of Wichita's cultural renaissance. Far more than a structure to house books, the library gave visitors the feeling that they were entering a cathedral to learning, fine art and cultural ideals. Now fully-restored, the Carnegie houses Fidelity Bank’s commercial banking division.

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Fidelity Bank

220 S. Main St. Wichita KS 67202

316.268.7292

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