History of the Library
History
The Manistee County Library opened to the public on June 1, 1905 as a city library. Funding for the construction of the library came from Andrew Carnegie and The Lakeside Club of Manistee, with George L. Harvey of Port Huron designing the building. The cornerstone was laid on November 3, 1903.
Notably, in 1905, the library received a gift from T.J. Ramsdell of Bien Double Elephant Edition Audubon prints. The library had them bound in the 1970’s, and the book is on display at the library to this day. Another gift that has stood the test of time is the “Great Colonial Clock”. Donated in November of 1925 by Lumberman Edward Buckly, this grandfather clock sounds its Westminster chimes every 15 minutes.
In April of 1973 it was voted to merge the Manistee Public (city) and County library to improve library service in Manistee County. They also voted to renovate and expand the library building. The renovated library building opened in December of 1974.
The Manistee Library was placed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places. In 1997, a Michigan Historical Marker was erected in front of the library, paying tribute to “the building with its grand entrance pavilion,” which reflects Beaux Arts Classicism.
The Branches
- The Arcadia Branch Library opened in 1982. In 2003 it had to briefly close because of a fire in the building, but was able to reopen a few months later.
- Originally established in 1963, the current Keddie Norkonk Memorial Library in Bear Lake was built in 2002.
- Originally opened at the community center in 1965, the Kaleva Branch Library was built in 2004.
- The Onekama Branch Library opened at the Farr Center in 1965, and a new wing was built in 1997.
- Having moved to 3 different locations, the Wellston Branch Library opened at its current location in the Norman Township Hall in 1999.
