Bradenton Carnegie Library

The Bradenton Carnegie Library is a Classical Revival building in Florida featuring buff-colored brick, granite details, and Doric columns located at 15th Street West. The structure displays two stories designed specifically to accommodate Florida's construction environment and climate considerations.

The building was constructed in 1917 with a 10,000 dollar grant from the Carnegie Corporation, making it one of ten Carnegie libraries established in Florida. It represents an important chapter in how philanthropic initiatives shaped public library development across the southern United States.

The building served the community as a public library before transitioning to house historical records. This shift reflects how the space has adapted to meet changing local needs while maintaining its role as a gathering place for information.

The building now serves as the Historical Records Library, housing over 100,000 documents including government records, marriage licenses, maps, and military discharge papers. Visitors can research local history through original records spanning more than a century of regional documentation.

The building deviates from standard Carnegie libraries by featuring a two-story design instead of a basement, accommodating Florida's specific construction requirements. This adaptation demonstrates how national architectural plans were modified to suit local environmental conditions and building codes.