The Dalles Art Center

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Located in the historic Dalles Carnegie Library, the Dalles Art Center is dedicated to promoting the arts to the community. To this end, it offers a variety of classes, exhibits, and other programming. It also hosts an annual art auction. The building was constructed in 1910 and was named after philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who donated funds to thousands of communities to help them build libraries. The former library is a fine example of Beaux-Arts architecture and is also significant for helping spur the construction of other civic buildings in the immediate area, including the Wasco County Courthouse.

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Formerly known as The Dalles Carnegie Library, the Dalles Art Center offers a variety of programs to promotes art to the community.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Andrew Carnegie, who made his fortune in the steel industry, offered a $10,000 grant for the project in 1907. The start of construction was delayed for two years, however, as it took time for the city to choose a site and commit to pledging money towards the library. When it opened in 1910, it became the first purpose-built library building in The Dalles. It operated until 1966 when library functions moved to its current location. It was at this point that the library became The Dalles Art Association which, presumably, later changed its name to The Dalles Art Center. In 1977 gallery space was added where the circulation desk, book stacks, and reading tables were located. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Sources

Hopkins, Mark. "The Dalles Carnegie Library." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. December 8, 1978. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/78002325_text.

"Our Story." The Dalles Art Center. Accessed August 18, 2020. https://www.thedallesartcenter.org/our-story.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Dalles_Art_Center_-_Oregon.png

Additional Information