Burnham Athenaeum

The Burnham Athenaeum is a Classical Revival library building in Champaign featuring four two-story Ionic columns at its entrance, cream-colored brick walls, and decorative terra cotta ornamentation across the facade. The structure displays carefully crafted architectural details typical of late 19th-century public buildings.

The building was constructed in 1896 using funds donated by Albert C. Burnham and served as Champaign's first permanent public library until relocation in 1978. Following this transition, it was recognized in 1978 for its historical significance and added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The building reflects how late 19th-century communities valued public spaces for learning and gathering. Its formal design with classical columns communicates that this was an important civic institution meant to serve all residents.

The building is located at 306 West Church Street and is easy to spot thanks to its prominent classical columns and distinctive design. Before visiting, check what the building currently hosts or whether tours are available, as it no longer functions as a working library.

A continuous terra cotta band runs around the entire building just below the second-story windows, creating a striking horizontal line that catches the eye. This ornamental feature demonstrates the care taken in the original design and is easy to miss at first glance.