Honoring the Carnegie Downers Grove Library 2025 Historic Site

In 1915, where the current library now stands, the Downers Grove Carnegie Library was built for the community by Andrew Carnegie who was a famous Industrialist as well as philanthropist. Downers Grove turned to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation—a source of support that changed the future of libraries across America. Downers Grove citizens met Carnegie’s requirements and secured an $8,500 grant with a provision that the village pay library staff, maintain the library, and provide books. Downers Grove citizens Frederick Lundquist, James W. Chilvers, Ernest Brunet, and Henry Woelfersheim contributed to the building. In 1977, a new building replaced the original to accommodate heavy usage and a booming population. However, a plaster panel was found and called the brick.

According to Marketing and Communications Manager at the library Cindy Khatri, the brick was safe for decades. Their Staff Artist, Melody, worked with them for 36 years! She had the brick safely kept under her desk until she retired. She then gave it to her replacement, their Graphic Design and Gallery Coordinator, Grace, who took up the mantle of keeping the brick safe in the Marketing & Communications workspace. For a while it lived on top of their little refrigerator so it wouldn't be accidentally kicked or knocked over. When they heard the Historical Society was going to name the library as a historical site, we knew it was the perfect time to bring it out.

In October, a commemorative plaque and the decorative stone panel once called the brick were unveiled at a special event attended by many people including community members and representatives from the Historical Society and Library. Lois Sterba, a board member of the Downers Grove Historical Society, provided a detailed discussion of the history of Carnegie libraries in America and finished with an account of the history of the Downers Grove Public Library.

The new permanent display honors the library’s history and its enduring impact on Downers Grove. Take a trip to the library in Downtown Downers Grove at 1050 Curtiss Street. Step inside the Curtiss Street entrance to see the new display. The decorative panel is on a stand and above is the commemorative plaque explaining the beautiful Carnegie story.