• Home
  • Search
  • Browse Collections
  • My Account
  • About
  • DC Network Digital Commons Network™
Skip to main content

Digital Commons @ Winthrop University

  • Home
  • About
  • FAQ
  • My Account

Home > Dacus > Pettus Archives > Galleries > Building Exhibits > Carnegie/Rutledge

Carnegie Library/ Rutledge Hall Images

By 1904 the holdings of the small library on the second floor of the Main Building (Tillman Administration) had increased to over 5,400 volumes, and funds were solicited for a separate library building. Andrew Carnegie, who had a reputation for building public libraries, donated the entire $30,000.00 for the building’s construction. The architect, James M. McMichael of Charlotte, completed plans in 1905 and construction was completed for the 1905-1906 school year by R. A. Brown of Concord, NC.

The monumental, but modestly scaled, building combines the most luxurious building materials (granite, marble, copper, glazed brick, tile, stained glass, limestone) with architectural features of French Imperial styles popularized by Louis XIV (Versailles Palace) and later during the reign of Napoleon III (Paris Opera House).

The original library has a symmetrical rectangular plan a projecting entrance portico and rear wing, removed in 1928. Its most unusual feature is a hemispherical, ribbed copper dome, with a glass crowned top for a skylight beneath, like the larger dome on the Paris opera House. The dome is raised above the hipped slate roof on a square stone base with rounded corners and pediments on each side. A masonry and stone parapet, hiding the roof of the main wing and portico, has a heavily denticulated, molded stone cornice with a narrow denticulated frieze.

Masonry pilasters run from the parapet to the rusticated granite foundation course, dividing walls into bays. Within each bay is a high Italian arched window with a smaller, 1/1 sash, set off from the granite wall with limestone sills and flat, radiating limestone arches. Plain limestone belt courses break the height of the tall main story, giving a two story appearance.

The entrance portico is supported by three carved stone Corinthian pilasters. This is an unusual arrangement, since most classical buildings have an even number of portico columns for an odd number of openings, allowing for a central entrance. Two other examples in South Carolina of this rare configuration occur on the porticoes of Robert Mills’ Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden and of the William Roper House on East Battery in Charleston. Double Italian arched entrances with pedimented transoms and paneled double leaf doors were scaled to match the windows. The portico has a colorful, hexagonal tile floor, granite steps, and a Sullivanesque metal ceiling with floral designs.

The portico opened into the main reading room of the library with a high ceiling crossed with heavy wood beams, creating square ceiling panels. Six smooth Ionic Columns, with high, round bases and separate wood cornices supported the central dome and circular, multicolored Art Nouveaux stained glass skylight beneath it. The main ceiling beams over columns and wall cornices are denticulated, like exterior cornices. Wood bookshelves were on inside walls of the reading room. Metal stacks were in the back wing, semi-circular arches, on either side of the main arch, led to basement stairs and a covered passageway to the South Dormitory (McLaurin Hall). The sheer plaster walls had molded wood chair-rails continuous with the molded frames of the windows.

The basement, which was not finished until 1920, contained additional stack areas, workrooms, and storage for periodicals. Eclectic oak railings on basement steps are particularly amusing in such a formal, classical building.

In 1928 a large rectangular back wing was added for additional stack area and alterations made to the 1905 portion. The 1928 addition retains the same classic design of the original building, but with slight variations and on a larger scale. It was designed by Edwards and Sayward of Atlanta and built by T. C. Thompson & Sons of Charlotte, for $77,000.00.

The addition has a truncated hipped roof with a masonry and stone parapet. Its molded cornice has a wide, plain stone frieze with decorative medallions over the pilasters. Half-round pilasters, running to a molded limestone belt course above the granite foundation, are in the “Tower of Wind” style used on other Winthrop buildings (Johnson, Joynes, and Kinard). Windows in the bays formed by these pilasters are rectangular 1/1 sash with sidelights and transoms, plain wood frames and continuous stone lintels and sills. Corner windows have more elaborate stone frame broken pediment and medallions. It is approached by symmetrical stone steps to an arcaded granite landing and more stone steps to the recessed doorway. Surrounding the basement is a stone areaway with stone pillars.

The interior of this addition, in spite of its elaborate facade, was mainly reserved for double-level metal stacks. The stacks were surrounded by outside halls for easy access with metal steps to the second level. In the basement were additional stacks, storage areas, and offices. Where the addition joins the 1905 building, the back wing of the original building was removed, so that the arched opening behind the circulation desk led directly into the larger space of the addition.

In conjunction with the 1929 wing, the original building was renovated with new doors, windows, and lighting fixtures throughout. The Italian arch stone frames of windows and doors were kept, but deteriorating wood frames were replaced with semi-circular fanlights and taller sash insets, without the pediments. Basement windows were extended downward and the stone areaway of the addition carried all the way around the original portion.

In 1970 after the Ida Jane Dacus Library on Oakland Avenue was built, the Carnegie Library was remodeled on the interior and converted into a fine arts center. All metal stacks were removed, and the 1905 reading room was partitioned into four large classrooms and a central gallery/hall. Unfortunately, the marble columns were encased, and the semi-circular arches filled in. However, most of the interior features were retained and integrated into the adaptation by Paula Treder, Architect, of Rock Hill. The large, arched windows are especially appropriate for studios. The main entrance gallery/hall, with its elaborate skylight and arch, gives visitors to the art department a fascinating visual experience and felling for space.

The large stack area on the main floor was partitioned into two levels, with a large full-height gallery which can be entered directly from the south steps. The partial upper level has a bank of faculty offices and studios, with classrooms and studios beneath it. Basements of both sections were partitioned for offices, classrooms, studios, and labs, giving the art department the most luxurious and spacious quarters on the campus. During this renovation no exterior changes were made.

Carnegie Library is possibly the best example in the state of classic revival architecture after the 1897 Columbian Exposition when this style became popular for libraries, post offices, court houses, and residences of the wealthy. Its only serious architectural flaw is the overly elaborate facade of the 1928 addition. Clutter was a desirable mode of expression at the time, when a show of wealth was intended. The 1905 portion remains superb, even though some of the brick has been mottled by deterioration. Conversion of the building into an art center is a better use for the structure than a library, because it is not spacious enough for open stacks and work areas that most modern colleges require. Sitting on the quiet end of campus and the gradual growth of trees on the front lawn greatly improved the illusion of classical antiquity.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Follow

Switch View to List View Slideshow
 
  • Carnegie Library 1956 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library 1956

  • Carnegie Library 1966 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library 1966

  • Carnegie Library ca. 1920s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library ca. 1920s

  • Carnegie Library ca. 1948 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library ca. 1948

  • Carnegie Library ca. 1950 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library ca. 1950

  • Carnegie Library ca. early 1940s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library ca. early 1940s

  • Carnegie Library Exterior, late 1960s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library Exterior, late 1960s

  • Carnegie Library Interior ca. early 1960s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library Interior ca. early 1960s

  • Carnegie Library Moving Day 1969 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library Moving Day 1969

  • Carnegie Library November 1924 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library November 1924

  • Carnegie Library with McLaurin Hall in Background 1928 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Carnegie Library with McLaurin Hall in Background 1928

  • Drawing of Carnegie Library 1905 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Drawing of Carnegie Library 1905

  • Front Entrance of Carnegie Library 1925 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Front Entrance of Carnegie Library 1925

  • Front Entrance of Carnegie Library 1926 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Front Entrance of Carnegie Library 1926

  • Interior of Carnegie Library ca. 1910 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Interior of Carnegie Library ca. 1910

  • Lobby of Carnegie Library ca. 1930s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Lobby of Carnegie Library ca. 1930s

  • Lobby of Carnegie Library with Mrs. David Bancroft Johnson Seated at Reference 1955 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Lobby of Carnegie Library with Mrs. David Bancroft Johnson Seated at Reference 1955

  • New West Wing of Carnegie Library ca. 1929 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    New West Wing of Carnegie Library ca. 1929

  • Portrait of Andrew Carnegie by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Portrait of Andrew Carnegie

  • Renovations to the Interior of Rutledge Hall Fall of 1989 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Renovations to the Interior of Rutledge Hall Fall of 1989

  • Repair to Roof of Rutledge Hall June 1977 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Repair to Roof of Rutledge Hall June 1977

  • Rutledge Hall ca. 1990s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Rutledge Hall ca. 1990s

  • Rutledge Hall October 1980 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Rutledge Hall October 1980

  • Rutledge Hall Opening Party February 1991 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Rutledge Hall Opening Party February 1991

  • Rutledge Hall Renovations ca. 1989 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Rutledge Hall Renovations ca. 1989

  • Student at the Circulation Desk 1955 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Student at the Circulation Desk 1955

  • Student Browsing Books in the General Collection ca. 1955 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Student Browsing Books in the General Collection ca. 1955

  • Student Reading in the Stacks ca. 1960 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Student Reading in the Stacks ca. 1960

  • Student Reading on Lawn in front of Carnegie Library ca. late 1950s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Student Reading on Lawn in front of Carnegie Library ca. late 1950s

  • Student Seated at a Microfilm Reader in Carnegie Library 1953 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Student Seated at a Microfilm Reader in Carnegie Library 1953

  • Student Sleeping on Chair in Carnegie Library ca. 1965 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Student Sleeping on Chair in Carnegie Library ca. 1965

  • Students Studying and one Smoking in Carnegie Library 1960 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Students Studying and one Smoking in Carnegie Library 1960

  • Students Studying in Carnegie Library, late 1960s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Students Studying in Carnegie Library, late 1960s

  • Students Taking an Exam in Carnegie Library ca. early 1960s by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Students Taking an Exam in Carnegie Library ca. early 1960s

  • Students Using the Card Catalogue System ca. 1955 by Clarence H. and Anna E. Lutz Foundation and Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

    Students Using the Card Catalogue System ca. 1955

 
 
 
  • Winthrop University

Advanced Search

  • Notify me via email or RSS

Browse

  • Collections
  • Disciplines
  • Authors

Author Corner

  • Author FAQ

Links

  • Ida Jane Dacus Library
  • Retrospect Newsletter
  • Ask an Archivist
  • Feedback

Researchers and Faculty

  • SelectedWorks Gallery
  • Expert Gallery

Gallery Locations

  • View gallery on map
  • View gallery in Google Earth

Links

  • Dacus Library
  • Louise Pettus Archives
Tweets by dacuslibrary
 
Elsevier - Digital Commons

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright