Central Library

The Central Library is a public library building in downtown Milwaukee that spans an entire city block, combining limestone with French and Italian Renaissance design elements. Inside, the building contains reading rooms, archive spaces, and exhibition areas distributed across multiple floors.

The building opened in 1898 when architects Ferry and Clas designed it to serve both library and museum functions in a single structure. This dual purpose shaped the cultural offerings of the city for generations to follow.

The building serves as a gathering place where residents use its study spaces, meeting rooms, and archives for learning and community events. Its role in the downtown area reflects how people value access to shared knowledge and public gathering spaces.

The building is centrally located and easily accessible, with additional branch locations spread throughout the city. Visitors should note that the collection is extensive and different areas serve different purposes.

Italian craftspeople who settled in Milwaukee created intricate mosaic tile floors throughout the building using small tessera pieces. These handcrafted details remain visible today in various areas of the building.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: 1895

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts

Made from material: limestone

Part of: Milwaukee Public Library

Address: 814 West Wisconsin Avenue

Website: http://mpl.org

GPS coordinates: 43.03944,-87.92250

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00