OUR HISTORY + MISSION
Step back in time and learn the history of The Carnegie.
Preserving the past, embracing the future.
In October 1898, a small group of dedicated citizens laid the groundwork for a safe place for the people of Elwood, Indiana to gather and to become more educated and cultured.
On May 3, 1899, with 1,150 books and twelve magazines, the library was opened to the public in a small room of the O’Brien building at 1414 Main Street.
By spring of the year 1900, Elwood’s population had grown tremendously, from a mere 400 in 1883 to just under 16,000. A new room was opened for the library in the newly-built city hall.
As patronage continued to increase, demands increased in proportion and they quickly outgrew their allotted space. Wise heads began to cast about for relief.
a place to gather since 1903.
our historic roots
On August 27, 1901, Miss Fatout assisted Mr. Frank L. Saylor, secretary of the library association, in composing a letter to Mr. Andrew Carnegie, asking for his help in establishing a building fund for a new library.
With the assist of a generous gift from Mr. Carnegie, construction on the new library began in 1903 and, on June 1, 1904, the new building was dedicated and a grand opening ceremony was held.
Built to house 20,000 volumes in 1903, the building had become obsolete by 1994. With circulation expected to surpass 100,000, a new public library was opened across the street from The Carnegie in 1997.
Since this time, the historic library has largely remained unoccupied and unattended, resulting in significant disrepair, causing it to be identified on Indiana’s “Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties” in 2020.
In 2021, the property was purchased by its current owners, with the intention of preserving the history and reviving the space to be used as a place to gather once again - this time for weddings and other special events.
The history continues…
Our mission at The Carnegie is to provide a unique, historic, and elegant venue that becomes a timeless backdrop for your dream wedding.
We strive to preserve the nostalgia and romance of our neoclassical building while providing modern amenities and exceptional service.
We aim to make every moment of your special day unforgettable, enveloping you and your guests in an atmosphere of sophistication and charm.
At The Carnegie, your love story becomes part of our history.
Meet the Owners
For Greg and Jennifer, managing wedding venues extends beyond business.
Their stewardship stems from a deep appreciation for the properties' rich history and unique architectural beauty.
As Hoosiers at heart, they bring a touch of Midwestern warmth and hospitality to every event they host. Both seasoned entrepreneurs, Greg and Jennifer are no strangers to the wedding industry and have a proven track record of making wedding day dreams come true.
At their venues, no detail goes unnoticed and your special day is their highest priority. They look forward to meeting you and helping to make your dreams a reality.
“When we found The Carnegie, we knew this property needed a lot of work. But, it was just waiting to be brought back to life.”
We dedicated three years to restoring and renovating The Carnegie.
Throughout the process, we stripped away generations of coverings to reveal beautiful original features, just waiting to be brought back to life.
Consider the heart-of-pine wood floors laid over a century ago but buried under layers of green carpet tiles and the original oak circulation desktop uncovered beneath two layers of laminate - now, all part of our elegant reception space.
Layer by layer, we returned this library to its original beauty, preserving as much as we could and adding thoughtful touches that helped elevate this historic building and turn it into the dream wedding and special event space it is today.
“Let There Be Light” - Genesis 1:3
Andrew Carnegie‘s own bookplate, circa 1915, bears this Biblical phrase, which symbolized to him the illuminating quality of books and knowledge. Carnegie sometimes requested a rising sun and the phrase, “let there be light” be engraved near the entrance of the libraries he funded.
A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
“As we installed these beautiful sconces from Olde Brick Lighting, it dawned on us that light has not illuminated this beautiful library in decades. Thinking of the history that has been made, and all the memories that will be made, on this block on North 16th Street really makes use pause.”
Our library is once again thriving and filled with light, memories and love. Are you ready to leave your mark in the next chapter of The Carnegie?
“If you’re an old soul, this venue will capture your heart just like it did ours.”
SOMETHING OLD AND SOMETHING NEW.
Once an endangered historic landmark, The Carnegie is now the perfect setting, with all modern amenities, for your vintage wedding. Let The Carnegie be your “something old” as it transports you and your guests back to the Gilded Age.
