Archives Photos of the Day: Carnegie Library

The cornerstone was laid for the Carnegie Library on March 29, 1902 and it was then completed in 1903. In its 110 years, the memorable structure on Main and Hastings has been a library, a museum, and a community centre and it’s this week’s Archive Photos of the Day feature:

March 29, 1902. Laying the cornerstone. VPL Number: 3422. Photographer: W.M. Bruce.

On March 25th, 1901 Vancouver requested and was granted $50,000 from US steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to build a library. Carnegie agreed to give the funds only if the city furnished a site and agreed to spend $5,000 a year. The city council accepted the Carnegie gift and its conditions. [VancouverHistory.ca]

1902 – Archives item# CVA 1376-27.

Left: 1908 – VPL Number: 3425. Right: 1910 – VPL Number 3467. Photographer: Philip Timms.

1900s – Archives item# CVA 371-812.

Left: 1904 – VPL Number: 3424. Right: 1920 – VPL Number: 10439.
Photographers: Philip Timms & Leonard Frank.

Left: 1932 – VPL Number: 3442. Right: 1932 – VPL Number 3444. Photographer: Philip Timms.

Left: 1932 – VPL Number: 3459. Right: 1932 – VPL Number: 3448. Photographer: Philip Timms.