History of the Building
The Le Mars Arts Council has been headquartered since 1976 in a former Carnegie Library built in 1903. The building was listed in 1979 on the National Register of Historic places. It is an adaptation of the Renaissance Revival style which is a typical example of small town library architecture from the early 20th century.
The library vacated the building in 1976 because it became too small for an expanding world of books, magazines, records, tapes, computers and art prints. Contents were moved one block north to a renovated building at 46 First Street SW.
The Carnegie building was refurbished in 1976 as a Civic Center with offices for the Le Mars Arts Council and Le Mars Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce moved out in September 1991 one block north to 50 Central Avenue SE.
Today the Le Mars Arts Center has an art gallery, a gift shop where area artists consign their wares, space for performances, art lectures and receptions, a kitchen and a handicap accessible bathroom on the main floor. The lower level includes two multi-purpose art rooms, paint your own pottery studio, pottery wheels and hand building studio, glazing/wash room, kiln room and restroom.
The library vacated the building in 1976 because it became too small for an expanding world of books, magazines, records, tapes, computers and art prints. Contents were moved one block north to a renovated building at 46 First Street SW.
The Carnegie building was refurbished in 1976 as a Civic Center with offices for the Le Mars Arts Council and Le Mars Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce moved out in September 1991 one block north to 50 Central Avenue SE.
Today the Le Mars Arts Center has an art gallery, a gift shop where area artists consign their wares, space for performances, art lectures and receptions, a kitchen and a handicap accessible bathroom on the main floor. The lower level includes two multi-purpose art rooms, paint your own pottery studio, pottery wheels and hand building studio, glazing/wash room, kiln room and restroom.
In The Beginning
The Carnegie Library building was designed and constructed in 1903. Dedication was in February 1904. Few changes have been made to its exterior. Composition shingles have replaced a metal roof. The original 52-by-42-foot one story building on a 100-by-72-foot lot was constructed of Lake Superior brown sandstone and St. Paul pressed brick. The pink-buff brick structure has two polished Minnesota granite pillars with a 4.3 foot circumference that support an entrance arch. A granite front arch with keystone and decorative cornice with initials AC for Andrew Carnegie complete a 12-step entrance with a mosaic landing. The first floor trim and floor were of rock maple and red oak. Basement concrete floor was finished with Georgia pine.
The Le Mars library was one of 22 funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1903, which was the peak year for Carnegie library grants in Iowa. One of the prerequisites for receiving a Carnegie grant was lots had to be donated to the City of Le Mars. A deed dated May 25, 1903 for lots 19, 20, and 21 Block 32 was the gift of E.C. and Sadie E. Pfaffle. The building was paid for by a $10,000 public subscription and a $12,500 grant from Andrew Carnegie.
Architect was John Werling. Le Mars contractor Zach Eyres was in charge of construction. Eyres built a number of homes and building in Le Mars, including the Tonsfeldt Round Barn moved in 1981 to the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. According to Le Mars Arts Council files, Eyres is quoted:
The Le Mars library was one of 22 funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1903, which was the peak year for Carnegie library grants in Iowa. One of the prerequisites for receiving a Carnegie grant was lots had to be donated to the City of Le Mars. A deed dated May 25, 1903 for lots 19, 20, and 21 Block 32 was the gift of E.C. and Sadie E. Pfaffle. The building was paid for by a $10,000 public subscription and a $12,500 grant from Andrew Carnegie.
Architect was John Werling. Le Mars contractor Zach Eyres was in charge of construction. Eyres built a number of homes and building in Le Mars, including the Tonsfeldt Round Barn moved in 1981 to the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. According to Le Mars Arts Council files, Eyres is quoted:
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"The more you investigate and the more information gleaned, the better satisfied you will be with the work done."
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His words are prophetic because the present strength and beauty of this unique structure are unquestioned.
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The Building faces west at 200 Central Avenue SE on the south edge of Le Mars' downtown business district. The location is easily accessed by all citizens. Central Avenue on early Le Mars plats was called Main Street. The original lot was 100-by-175-feet. Descriptions of the building come from an agreement between the City of Le Mars and Zach Eyres dated July 27, 1903. Careful maintenance by the former library since 1976 and by the Le Mars Arts Council has preserved the integrity and heritage of this historic building.
Timely Changes
During the 1940s and 1950s the basement rooms were furnished as a children's library room and community room with kitchen. Currently, the building houses the Le Mars Arts Council for gallery exhibits, consignment and sales for artists; and public spaces for meetings, recitals, concerts, receptions; and educational workshops and classes in the arts for children and adults. In March 1976, under the direction of Mrs. William (Mary) Sturges, the Le Mars Arts Council sought use of the building from the Le Mars City Council. Leases for the Le Mars Arts Council and Le Mars Chamber of Commerce for a Civic Center were virtually rent-free. Restoration began in September with about $6,000 spent in redecoration and $3,500 donated in time and materials. The public opening was in November 1976.
In 2013, in large part through the support of the Le Mars City Council and local businesses, the Le Mars Arts Council established a working wheelchair lift. In 2014, again through the generous support of the Le Mars City Council, the original maple hard wood floors were restored on the main level and the handicapped accessible restroom was constructed. Future possibilities are as endless as the creativity of the people involved in the Le Mars Arts Council and the Arts Center.
In 2013, in large part through the support of the Le Mars City Council and local businesses, the Le Mars Arts Council established a working wheelchair lift. In 2014, again through the generous support of the Le Mars City Council, the original maple hard wood floors were restored on the main level and the handicapped accessible restroom was constructed. Future possibilities are as endless as the creativity of the people involved in the Le Mars Arts Council and the Arts Center.