Gresham Carnegie Library

Gresham Carnegie Library is a Tudor Revival structure distinguished by brick walls, leaded glass windows, and decorative herringbone brickwork patterns across its facade. The interior now houses a museum dedicated to local history, occupying the original library building and its spaces.

The structure was built in 1913 with funding from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation as an educational facility, initially serving the community for five decades as a reading center. Later in the 20th century, it was transformed into a history museum, reinventing its role as a keeper of community knowledge.

The building maintains its role as a place of knowledge and community connection, even as it shifted from a reading center to a repository of local stories. Visitors can sense how the structure has adapted while keeping its purpose of bringing people together.

The building sits at the intersection of North Main Avenue and Fourth Street, making it easy to locate. Plan ahead to explore the exhibits about local history, as it operates as a museum with specific spaces arranged for viewing.

The windows feature colophon medallions, a detailed embellishment traditionally used by printers to mark their publications. This unusual design element connects the literary purpose of the space with the history of printing itself.

Location: Gresham

Inception: 1913

GPS coordinates: 45.50056,-122.43083

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:08