About: Carnegie Library (Guthrie, Oklahoma)

The Carnegie Library in Guthrie, Oklahoma, is a building at 406 East Oklahoma Avenue. Constructed in 1901, It was the second Carnegie-funded library built in Oklahoma and the oldest one still in existence. The Guthrie library opened on May 20, 1903, It remained Guthrie's main library until 1972, when the city decided to tear it down and build a new facility in its place. Fred Pfeiffer, a local philanthropist, offered to fund a new structure next door to the Carnegie Library, if the old building were kept intact. The city accepted his offer, and gave the building to the Oklahoma Historical Society. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The old building is now part of the Oklahoma Territorial Museum. Oklahoma Territorial Museum opened Nov. 13, 1973.