Racine Heritage Museum, Carnegie library in Racine, Wisconsin
The Racine Heritage Museum is a Beaux-Arts building from 1904 originally constructed as an Andrew Carnegie-funded public library, now housing exhibitions on local history. Built from Bedford stone with three floors, it contains a collection of over 200,000 objects including artifacts related to manufacturing, lake transportation, local industries, and community life.
The idea of a public library in Racine began in 1895, and with support from Andrew Carnegie, the building opened in 1904 with nearly 100,000 books. After the library moved to a larger facility in 1958, the original Beaux-Arts structure became a museum and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
The building displays the motto 'Free to the People,' reflecting its original purpose as a public library open to all. Exhibits showcase items connected to local industries, transportation, and the lives of residents and immigrants who shaped Racine.
The museum is centrally located on Main Street and easily fits into a walking tour of the city with clear navigation through its three floors. Plan to spend time exploring the varied exhibits, as the large collection is distributed across limited display space.
The museum features an exhibit dedicated to Laurel Clark, a local astronaut who flew a space shuttle mission. The building also holds an Egyptian mummy that was once owned by a local philanthropist.
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