Historic Sites of Manitoba: Cornish Library (20 West Gate, Winnipeg)

In 1901, Winnipeg approached American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie for a grant to construct its first public library. Twelve years later, city council again approached Carnegie for funds to construct two more libraries, St. John’s Library in the North End and this one. Designed by local architect Samuel Frank Peters and built by the National Construction Company, this branch opened in June 1915. It is a municipally-designated historic site and, in 2015, it received an MHS Centennial Organization Award.

The building a conservation award from Heritage Winnipeg (2022).

Cornish Library

Cornish Library (May 2011)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Cornish Library

Cornish Library (April 2022)
Source: Rose Kuzina

Cornish Library

Cornish Library (October 2022)
Source: George Penner

Entrance to Cornish Library

Entrance to Cornish Library (June 2024)
Source: Greg Petzold

Renovated Cornish Library

Renovated Cornish Library (June 2024)
Source: Greg Petzold

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.87841, W97.15980
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Samuel Frank Peters (1847-1926)

Manitoba Business: Kelly-Simpson Construction Company / National Construction Company

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Carnegie Library / City of Winnipeg Archives (380 William Avenue, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. John’s Library (500 Salter Street, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Famous Places: The Cornish Library - 70 Years Old by Christine Melnick
Manitoba History, Number 9, Spring 1985

Historical Tours in Manitoba: A Walking Tour of Armstrong’s Point by Patricia Thomson

Sources:

Cornish Library (20 West Gate), City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee, August 1992.

We thank Rose Kuzina, George Penner, and Greg Petzold for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 20 July 2024

Historic Sites of Manitoba

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