Happy 100th to the Carnegie Building

With the prospect of a new year ahead, the last blog of 2010, will celebrate the 100th anniversary one of the loveliest buildings on campus.  Now known as the Carnegie Guest House, it was dedicated on September 10, 1910 as the Carnegie Library.

The name comes from Andrew Carnegie, a 19th century Bill Gates – who took some of the monies made by his companies and helped build libraries across the nation. Most were public libraries but a number of colleges, including Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, received funding as well. Carnegie required matching funds. Davidson started a campaign in 1905 and by 1908 was ready to accept $20,000 from the Carnegie Foundation.

The building was dedicated on September 10, 1910, an event that earned coverage in the Charlotte Observer. The paper reported that,

the ground floor of the Carnegie building was the scene of a bright and pleasing spectacle. The entire building was brilliantly lighted and with its hardwood floors, fine finish, white walls and large corridors, broad stairways, spacious rooms and handsome plate glass windows the new library was something  in which everyone, host and visitor alike, student, townsman, and faculty took genuine pride and pleasure.

The building served as a library from 1910 to 1941. In 1921, after a fire destroyed the Chambers building, the library was remodeled to share space with college administrator offices. By 1941, the student body doubled from 342 to 689 making a new and larger library necessary.  With the books moved to the new Grey Library, the Carnegie building was turned into a Guest House with rooms set aside for the YMCA. The Wildcat Handbook for 1942-43 included a page on the “New Y Building” noting

The Y.M.C.A. will start its second year in its new home. We think that it’s the finest building of its kind to be found on any college campus, and once you visit it we feel sure that you will agree with us.  .  .  On the main floor there is a very large and “homey” lounge with many comfortable chairs and couches made especially for you and your date or friends, or if you prefer privacy, there is a smaller parlor equipped for comfort. Then too, there are several rooms equipped with pool and ping pong tables.

The YMCA stayed in the building for 10 years. From 1952 to 1972, it served as the College’s guest house.  Between 1972 and 1975 it served as the student union, with the demolition of Ovens Union and remodeling of the Grey Library into a union. In 1976, it became both the guest house and a dormitory, the basement being used to house 12 coeds. The basement has also served in recent years as faculty offices and once again houses student dormitory rooms.