University of Kentucky, Carnegie Library, Lexington

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS KY,34-LEX,13A-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

One of two Carnegie Libraries in Lexington, Kentucky. Built with a bequest of from the Carnegie Foundation'. Miss Margaret I. King, for whom present University of Kentucky Library is named, was the first librarian. Once held offices of Dr. Funkhauser and Dr. Webb, who started the Anthropology and Archeology Department at the University of Kentucky. PART I HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: Original and Subsequent Owners: The City of Lexington until (History of Land Transmittals of the University of Kentucky in the King Library). Given to the University of Kentucky by City of Lexington (University of Kentucky Archives).

Carnegie Library

Page 2 HABS No. 2. Date of Erection: Started and dedicated (The Lexington Herald Newspaper) 3. Architect: Edward L. Tilton (Report to Board of Trustees by Dr. Patterson in University Archives.) Builder and Suppliers: Hendricks and Moore, contractors; J. J. Fitzgerald, power house connections; Tucker Electrical Construction Co., Library Bureau, Furniture; Van Deren Hardware Co., Window Guards; Taylor Bruner Co., Furnace; Higgin Manufacturing Co., window screens; Warren Webster Co., Specialties. (Financial report from Architect to University of Kentucky Board of Trustees in University Archives.) 4. Description of Original Structure: The Library was 58 feet square. There was but one single story above the basement.

This, however, was of the same height as would ordinarily be given to a two story building. Inside there was a wide balcony at the proper height of a second floor, running - around the large central reading room. The basement was well lighted and was used for a reading room and for ranges of bookcases. Most of the interior finish was built of heavy rough stone 20 inches thick each block being cut to same size. The upper walls were built of pressed brick. The front was arranged in the form of an artistic facade with lamp posts on each side of the entrance. The approach to the entrance was a large stone staircase. The roof, which forms a large cornice, was made of clay tile. (Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Record, Volume I No. I October The University Archives.) 5.

Notes on Renovations and Alterations: General Renovation in changing the building from library to Museum in which entailed addition of high iron grill gate at top of steps leading to the main floor. Removal of partition walls in the east end and the back stairs and dumb waiter. Addition of steel and wood beams to main floor were made. CARNEGIE LIBRARY Page 3 HABS No. Conversion of basement to lecture room. Patching of roof supports, ornamental plaster, leaded glass dome and art glass skylight, and cracks due to settling (Letter from J. M. Crutcher, Supt. of Buildings and Grounds to President McVey in University Archives). Change of lighting design in (Drawings in University Engineering Department). Installation of display boxes in {Work order in University Engineering Department).

Front iron doors removed and glass doors put in entrance in (Drawings in University Engineering Department). 6. Important Old View: a) Photographs of building during and after construction and drawing of campus in showing location all in University Archives, Lexington, Kentucky. b) Photographs of interior in University Archives, Lexington, Kentucky. B. Historical Events Connected with Structure: Held offices of many famous men of the University of Kentucky such as: Dr. Funkhauser, Dr. Webb and Dr. Donovan. Prepared by: M. B. Mahaffee, III Architectural Student under the direction of: Dr. James P. Noffsinger Associate Professor of Architecture The University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky January, CARNEGIE LIBRARY Page 4 HABS No. PART II ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1.

Architectural Character; Building is an example of nineteenth century ecclecticism with interesting detail and a handsome interior. Sentimental value is attached to this building as a campus landmark. 2. Condition of Fabric: The building is in excellent condition and has been well maintained since construction. B. Technical Description of Exterior: 1. Overall Dimensions: 58 square feet. 2. Foundations: Original cons truction dating from Broken ashlar walls 20" thick of limestone extended above finish grade. 3. Wall Construction: Brick, non-lustrous, fire bonded, common bond, troweled joints.

All four facades are articulated into three equal vertical elements by four brickpillasters which sit on a concrete base directly above horizontal band of specially fabricated concrete block running continuously around building from each edge of entry portal. 4. Chimneys: Two chimneys, original, placed symmetrically with respect to enterior extend from first floor to approximately five feet above roof. Brick similar to wall construction. Located in northwest and southwest corners, approximately from eave on west side of building. Decorated with simple cornice of brick. 5. Openings: a) Doorways and Doors: Main entry portal occupies center division of west facade; has broken triangular pediment over round arch with scroll type keystone. Cartouche on each side of arch.

CARNEGIE LIBRARY Page 5 HABS No. Existing doors modern, aluminum and glass. Plywood paneling above doors extends to semicircular tinted glass which infills round arch. (Evidence of previous doorway) Metal fire door on east facade, basement entry; below finish grade. b) Windows: Six windows each on main floor of north and south facade, grouped in pairs, double hung sash with wood panel above window, transom windows above wood panels. A pair of windows on main floor in each vertical division of facade. A series of small (approximately 18" square) windows with fixed sashes are spaced around the building between the eaves and the horizontal concrete cyma-recta moulding which runs continuously around the building.

Six double hung windows are placed in limestone base and are centered under the windows on the main floor, on the north and south facades. On the east facade are a pair of windows the same design as those of the main floor on the north and south facade which occupy the center division of the main floor. Five double hung windows are located in the limestone base. Two windows on the main floor of the west facade are placed symmetrically, one on each side of the entry portal. Two windows in the limestone base are similarly placed. A unique condition occurs on the pillaster adjacent to the entry portal on the north side of the entry. Two narrow vertical windows with fixed sash are recessed in the pilaster, one above the other. The top window is located directly beneath the cyma-recta moulding.

All of the exterior windows on the main floor have concrete sills which reflect elements of the concrete band between the limestone base and brick. CARNEGIE LIBRARY Page 6 HABS No, 6. Roof a) Shape and Covering: Hip roof, has two pitches, changing from 6 on 12 to 4^ or 5 on 12 at eavehang Covering of Spanish clay tile. b) Framing: 2" by 12" with 5" pine sheathing. c) Cornice and Eaves: Original wooden cornice with scroll type brackets spaced with 18" windows between, under the cornice. Cornice continues around the building with gutter concealed within. Above the main entry portal the cornice becomes a broken triangular pediment. d) Projections: Gable projection extending out to form roof over entry portal.

Lantern tower sets at center of roof to accomodate glass dome beneath 10" square window in tower allow light to pass through. e) Skylights: 5 skylights located in roof. Fixed glass, now covered with metal on outside and painted inside. One each located in the center of the north and south roof three located in the east roof, one centered with the others on either side of the roof. C. Technical Description of the Interior 1. Floor Plan: Central plan Greek cross with offices in corners, forming square. Central space two stories to base of drum. Balcony over north, south, and east wings of cross. Office space in northeast and southeast corners one story high to accomodate balcony above. Office space in northwest and southwest corners one and one half stories high.

Vestibule at west wing of cross created by entry portal projections. Vestibule at lower level than main floor, offices above vestibule. 2. Stairway and Stairs: Three stairways in building. Balustered stairs leading from vestibule level to main level (7 risers), are flanked (on either side) by wide stairs leading from the basement to vestibule (12 risers). Wide stairs in northwest corner lead from main floor to above vestibule (15 risers). Wide stairs in southeast corner leading from east wing of cross on mam floor to balcony. CARNEGIE LIBRARY Page 7 HABS No. 3. Flooring: Framing is rough sawn 2" by 12" joists. Narrow floor boards of pine with natural (waxed) finish. Easement floor of concrete with pine flooring over. Vestibule flooring is ceramic tile over original flooring. 4.

Walls and Ceiling Finish: All walls of plaster. Ceilings are of plaster except over central space. Space surrounding drum of painted wood and moldings creating boxed beams. 5. Interior openings: a) Doorways and Doors: Original doors of pine, 4 paneled with lower panel louvered. b) Windows: Window panel located above vestibule in wall of office. One fixed window on either side of head hung pivoted window. 6. Trim: Doorways trimed with single architrave above wooden jamb molding. Eight engaged columns of stained wood, ionic order, located in pairs of two at the northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest corners of central space, carry from floor to entablature at edge of ceiling. Eliptical arches with scroll type keystone spring from entablature above columns.

Balcony rail of stained wood repeats the window band motif and is of Roman inspired eclectic design. Fireplaces trimed with tile brickwork and wooden mantels. 7. Hardware: Modern. 8. Lighting: Present lighting is florescent. Indications of original lighting fixtures remain. In southwest corner office indications of chain hung electric light fixture. 9. Heating: Steam heating originally from campus steam plant. Additional heating in northwest, southwest offices from gas heaters built into fireplaces. CARNEGIE LIBRARY Page 8 HABS No. D. Site 1. General setting and orientation: On campus grounds. Main entrance parallel to Limestone Street. Located behind Administration building and at right angle to White Hall. 2. Enclosures: None. 3. Walks: Modern concrete. 4. Landscaping: Not original. 5.

Outbuildings: None. Prepared by: F. B. Even Architectural Student under the direction of: Dr. James P. Noffsinger Associate Professor of Architecture School of Architecture The University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky January,