Explore Boulder’s rich history with exhibits and family-friendly activities.
Carnegie Library for Local History is turning 40! Reflect on its significance as an archival library during the Boulder Rewind celebration, Sunday, Oct. 1 from 12:30 – 4 p.m. at Carnegie Library (1125 Pine St.). Explore the building’s beautiful architecture and learn about its extensive historical archive.
The event schedule is as follows:
- 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Connect with stories from the archives through a ‘Show and Tell’ with local history enthusiasts.
- 12:30 – 4 p.m., Stroll down memory lane with an exhibit of Boulder during the 1980s and 90s.
- 12:30 – 4 p.m., Make a keepsake using historic and iconic Boulder images.
Carnegie Library was built in 1906 with a $15,000 donation from steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie. At the time, the people of Boulder referred to the city as the “Athens of the West,” inspiring the architect to model the building after a Greek temple. The building served as the library for Boulder until the early 1960s when the collection outgrew the space. In 1983, Carnegie was re-opened as the Carnegie Library for Local History, serving as a home for many significant Boulder County archival collections of photographs, maps, oral histories, documents and books.
“We are excited to celebrate this unique branch of the Boulder Public Library,” said Nicole Docimo, Archivist at Carnegie Library. “We are thrilled to have preserved so many stories from Boulder’s history over the past 40 years and made these stories available to the community and beyond. Our collection is one of the most comprehensive in the county. We house over 750,000 documents specific to the Boulder area, including newspapers dating as far back as 1869 and photographs from the pioneer era to present. We look forward to another 40 years!”
Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just want to learn more about what Carnegie Library offers, all are welcome at this drop-in event! Celebratory snacks provided.
Carnegie Library is currently open by appointment only. To schedule a visit, please make an appointment online or contact AskCarnegie@boulderlibrary.org.