Andrew Carnegie and the Origins of the Winnipeg Public Library

In 1905, Winnipeg built the first public library building with the words "Free to All" carved above the door. To get it built, though, there was a kerfuffle with the contractors, arguments with the architects, and a lot of posturing about a painting.

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Sources

• Manitoba Historical Society, Memorable Manitobans

• Winnipeg Tribune

• Winnipeg Free Press

• The Voice

• City of Winnipeg, “New Chapter for Winnipeg’s First Library”, 2025.

• 380 William Avenue, City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee (1984).

• Bernhardt, Darren. “'Free to All': Winnipeg's 1st public library opened 120 years ago, soon to start new chapter” CBC News.

• PBS, “The Strike at Homestead Mill”, The American Experience.

• Heritage Winnipeg, “A Living Memory: New Progress on Carnegie Library Restoration”, 2026.

• Cassidy, Christian. ‘Portrait of Artist Victor Long’, West End Dumplings.

• National Trust for Canada, “Top Ten Endangered Buildings List, 2019.

• Standiford, Les. Meet You In Hell. Crown, 2006.