NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 1999
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Glenn A. Walsh - (412) 561-7876, <andrcarn@alphaclp.clpgh.org>
OCTOBER 19 MARKS CENTENNIAL OF
LIBRARY CORNERSTONE
TIME CAPSULE INCLUDED AS LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION BEGAN
Carnegie, Pa., October 6 - One hundred years ago, as of October 19, construction of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue in Carnegie Borough, commenced with the official laying of the Library building's cornerstone, which includes a time capsule. U.S. Congressman John Dalzell gave the keynote address before an audience estimated at 3,000-4,000 people, according to the next day's Carnegie Item.
The ceremony began at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, in weather described as slightly chilly but not uncomfortable. William Hill, President of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Board of Trustees officiated. "All the school children marched from their respective schools to the (Library) grounds, each scholar carrying a small American flag, which they waved quite frequently," according to the next day's Carnegie Union. About one hundred members of local church choirs provided music during the program.
Congressman Dalzell "probably never delivered a more significant address" according to the Carnegie Item. "After paying handsome compliments to Andrew Carnegie," Dalzell "spoke of the great advantages of public libraries in thickly settled communities."
The cornerstone, described as a fine quality of building stone, measures 3 feet by 18 inches by 14 inches. "ERECTED A.D. 1899." is inscribed on the cornerstone, which is just north of the main Library entrance. Andrew Carnegie's representative, William Nimik Frew, Esq., President of the Board of Trustees of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, after a short address, placed a time capsule in a niche of the cornerstone; the cornerstone was then set in place.
A copper box, 5x5x10 inches, was used for the time capsule. The time capsule includes Andrew Carnegie's letter, of April 26, 1898, granting $210,000 for construction of the Library, as well as a cablegram, from Mr. Carnegie, congratulating the citizens of Carnegie for the beginning of construction of the Library. The time capsule also includes issues of the Carnegie Item, Chartiers Valley Signal, Carnegie Union, and some Pittsburgh newspapers. The program of the day, list of the Library Board of Trustees, and a number of personal and business cards were also placed in the time capsule.
Andrew Carnegie's cablegram addressed to Library Life Trustee James D. Glover, which was engrossed on parchment, read:
"Kirkcaldy, Scotland,
October 12, 1899.
J. D. Glover, Carnegie:
Hearty congratulations upon laying of foundation stone of hall and library for my namesake, whose future seems so bright. Shall do my best to prevent it ever being ashamed of its name.
ANDREW CARNEGIE"
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