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ESCANABA — Renovation of the former Carnegie Library in Escanaba continues by owners Paul and Marcia Neumeier.

The building, which was constructed in a neo-classical revival design in 1902, was sold by the city to the Neumeirs in 1995. The Neumeiers are in the process of converting the building into a private residence.

One of the major renovations in recent years has been replacement of the roof dome. “The roof dome was replaced because it was leaking, and I have worked on stripping the wood and have gutted as much of the interior as I desired,” said Paul Neumeier, an Escanaba businessman.

While progress on the project is slow moving, Paul Neumeier has purchased stone which matches the exterior facade of the building. The original exterior stone facade of the building features quarried red Lake Superior sandstone.

Under the 1995 agreement between the city of Escanaba and Neumeier, the building was to be open to the public 12 days per year until the year 2000.

The stipulation that the building be open to the public 12 days per year came from the State Historical Commission, which made the request as part of the purchase agreement. The former library was placed on the State Register of Historic Places in 1976. It was then submitted and placed on the National Register in 1977.

Some of the changes made to the original structure prior to the sale to the Neumeiers included the removal of a balustrade, which ran from pediment to pediment above the cornice line in 1928, and the removal of a lower dome in 1958.

“Once completed, I may open it up as part of a parade of homes event, otherwise, between now and then, if I am working on the structure and if an individual were to ask, I may provide a tour,” said Neumeier.

The 106 year old former library building, was constructed from a grant by Pittsburgh steel baron Andrew Carnegie, and is only one of approximately 242 library buildings to remain, out of a total 2,500 worldwide that were financed by Carnegie.

 

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