Big Give Gage: Organization Profile

Carnegie Center, Inc.

Category: Arts/Culture/Humanities

This Year's Project: Completion of the Flooring Restoration Project

About Our Organization

Carnegie Center, Inc. was founded in 2001 in order to begin the fundraising for the restoration of the building. Over $185,000 was contributed to the renovation of this 1903 Carnegie Library. The City of Beatrice takes care of the continued maintenance of the building but cannot provide funds for other items that are needed in the building. The Carnegie Center’s role now is to provide funding for these items.

We have provided funds for:

• The cleaning and refurbishing of three historic bronze plaques that hang in the Carnegie Building.

• A picture hanging display system for the walls.

• Three movable display cases that were made by Ratigan-Schottler, Mfg.

Current Project: Completion of the Flooring Restoration Project

The 2023 project completes the 2012 renovation of the Carnegie building with the installation of a floating wood floor east of the already restored marble in the rotunda. The original wood floor cannot be salvaged due to many sandings, the installation of tar-backed linoleum and glued-down carpeting. A replacement wood product had been chosen for the 2012 renovation, but that plan was not completed due to timing and costs. This flooring project will restore the original appearance of the rotunda area in this landmark 130 year old building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The goal is to raise half $2500 (half of the $5000 cost). The remaining $2500 will be matched with reserve funds.

Marble Restoration of Entrance and Rotunda

Project Details
The 2022 project is a continuation of the restoration of the original white marble in the Carnegie Building which was installed in 1903. This includes the entrance floor, stairway and wall panels, as well as the rotunda floor tiles. When the building was renovated in 2012, the marble was cleaned, but no repair work was able to be done. In the intervening years, the repair has become a priority. The Carnegie Center's goal is to raise 1/2 of the needed funds to repair and restore the marble. The other 1/2 will come from reserve funds.

Repair original marble floor.

Project Details

The 2021 project is repairing the original marble floor in the Carnegie Building rotunda installed in 1903. The 10” X 10” tiles were chosen to match the white marble panels and stairway at the entrance. When the building was renovated in 2012, the glued-down carpet in the rotunda area was removed and the marble was cleaned. However, no repair work was able to be done at that time. In the intervening years, this needed repair has become a priority. The Carnegie Center's goal is to raise 1/2 of the needed funds to repair this marble floor. The other 1/2 will come from reserve funds.

Fabricate and install a historically accurate pendant light in the Carnegie Building rotunda.

Project Details
In the Carnegie Building rotunda, there is a 1950’s era pendant fixture hanging where the original light used to be. For many years we have been looking for a light consistent with the one shown in an interior 1904-05 photograph, but we could never find a light that matched. We believe the original light was created for the building. Early Electrics in Peekskill, NY is fabricating a light for us with original parts. The owner of the business said, “You can’t believe how rare the upper part of this lamp is.” Carnegie Center, Inc. has funding for 1/2 of the project cost. We are excited to bring back this focal point of the building.

Restore historically accurate rotunda lightening, the focal point of the Carnegie Building

Project Details
The Carnegie Building has been significantly restored to its 1903 glory. However, there are some special items that could not be included in the basic renovation. The replacement of the original electrolier / gasolier light fixture in the rotunda was one of those items. Currently, lighting is provided by a 1950's era pendant fixture, an inappropriate leftover from a mid-century remodeling project. Carnegie Center, Inc. plans to further the restoration of the building by replacing the rotunda lighting with a fixture consistent with the one shown in an interior 1904-05 photo of the building. Carnegie Center, Inc. has funding for 1/2 the project cost. These additional funds would enable us to bring back the look of the beautiful 1903 rotunda, the focal point of the entire building.

$815 Raised of $2,500 goal

$0 $2,500

11 Donors

Carnegie Center, Inc.

C/O 100 N. 16 St.
Beatrice, NE 68310

(402) 520-2553

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Carnegie Center, Inc.

Current Project: Completion of the Flooring Restoration Project

Past Projects

Marble Restoration of Entrance and Rotunda

Project Details

Repair original marble floor.

Project Details

Fabricate and install a historically accurate pendant light in the Carnegie Building rotunda.

Project Details

Restore historically accurate rotunda lightening, the focal point of the Carnegie Building

Project Details

Related Organizations

Beatrice Community Band

Gage County Historical Society & Museum

Cortland Museum

Community Players