|
Carnegie
Library Receives Statewide Preservation
Award
Historic
Library Recognized for Rehabilitation
Efforts
ATLANTA,
April
2, 2005—The Carnegie Library in
Savannah, Ga., received an award for
Excellence in Rehabilitation from The Georgia
Trust for Historic Preservation at its annual
meeting April 2 in Thomasville, Ga.
In
the segregated South of the early 20th
century, when African Americans, including a
young Clarence Thomas, wanted to check out a
book in Savannah, Ga., they had to visit the
Carnegie Library.
The
library was built in 1914 to support the
educational needs of the city’s
African-American community. When segregation
ended in 1963, the library became a public
branch until it was closed in 1997 due to
unsafe conditions.
Located
in Savannah’s Victorian Historic District,
the library is the city’s only example of
Prairie style architecture, which combines
clean horizontal exterior patterns in
materials and window placements to emphasize
the top half of the building. The library is
also defined by elegantly designed brickwork
and filled with natural light.
In
2001, private and public funding sources
worked together with advocates like Justice
Thomas to save this important educational and
cultural resource. They wanted to restore the
original structure and incorporate the latest
library technology advances while keeping the
building’s character intact.
Under
the leadership of Hansen Architects, P.C., two
additions connected to the main building by
glass corridors house new restrooms, a staff
work room and electronic classrooms that
provide computer-learning spaces for the
community. The original librarian desks,
chairs, books, shelves and worktables were
maintained.
Old
photographs of the building were used to steer
the rehabilitation efforts in the right
direction. Columns that framed the main
entrance were reconstructed, and interior
plasterwork and decorative woodwork were
preserved to maintain the historic character
of the library. The electrical and plumbing
services were updated, and new space was added
for a community meeting space, a digital
cataloging center and several study areas,
reading rooms and reference areas.
“Extremely
sensitive, distinguishable and well-designed
additions made it possible for the space to be
expanded to meet modern demands without
detracting from the original historic
structure,” said Greg Paxton, president and
CEO of The Georgia Trust. “With the
rehabilitation of the Carnegie Library, new
generations of Savannah residents can benefit
from the building’s historical and cultural
contributions.”
For
more than 25 years the Trust has recognized
preservation projects and individuals in the
state who have made significant contributions
to the field of historic preservation. Awards
are presented on the basis of the
contributions of the person or project to the
community and/or state and on compliance with
the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Excellence
in Rehabilitation awards recognize projects
that make compatible use of a building through
repair, alterations or additions while
preserving features of the property that
convey its historic value. This year, the
Trust presented 15 Excellence in
Rehabilitation awards.
With
more than 8,000 members, The Georgia Trust for
Historic Preservation is the country’s
largest statewide, nonprofit preservation
organization. Founded in 1973, the Trust is
committed to preserving and enhancing
Georgia’s communities and their diverse
historic resources for the education and
enjoyment of all.
The
Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for
endangered properties acquired by its
Revolving Fund; provides design assistance to
105 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages
neighborhood revitalization; trains
Georgia’s teachers in 56 Georgia school
systems to engage students in discovering
state and national history through their local
historic resources; and advocates for funding,
tax incentives and other laws aiding
preservation efforts.
The
Georgia Trust is a recipient of the Trustees
Award for Organizational Excellence from the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For
more information on the Carnegie Library,
contact Christian Kruse at 912-652-3601, or
Patricia Jacobs at 912-234-8056 or pjacobs@hansensavannah.com.
-30-
|
