Oshkosh Public Library

Although several lending libraries had come and gone since the founding of Oshkosh in1853, plans for a permanent home for a public library did not begin to materialize until the summer of 1895. That was when Abbie Harris, widow of prominent lumberman Marshall Harris, bequeathed her estate to the city to build a free public library. The estate was valued at $75,000; worth more than two million dollars today. Mrs. Harris’s bequest stated that the funds would only come to the city if it would match her gift within three years. With the donation of $25,000 from former U.S. Senator Philetus Sawyer and a successful bond sale, the city raised the matching funds by 1898.

Although several lending libraries had come and gone since the founding of Oshkosh in1853, plans for a permanent home for a public library did not begin to materialize until the summer of 1895. That was when Abbie Harris, widow of prominent lumberman Marshall Harris, bequeathed her estate to the city to build a free public library. The estate was valued at $75,000; worth more than two million dollars today. Mrs. Harris’s bequest stated that the funds would only come to the city if it would match her gift within three years. With the donation of $25,000 from former U.S. Senator Philetus Sawyer and a successful bond sale, the city raised the matching funds by 1898.

May 30, 1899 was chosen for the Masonic Order to dedicate the cornerstone of the new public library building. The spring afternoon proved to be pleasantly warm and fragrant as a substantial crowd gathered until it spilled into the street.

“By the erection of this beautiful edifice dedicated to learning, we mark the beginning of a new era. Today the intellectual development of Oshkosh sets up a new imperishable milestone, and the labors of the past epoch are crowned with the laurels of success.”—Colonel John Hicks, 1898

The library opened on Labor Day, September 3, 1900.

Designed by local architect William Waters, the library typifies the Neo-classical style which had become popular at the turn of the century, with its heavily buttressed steps and fluted Ionic columns built of Bedford limestone.

The iconic lion statues that flank the library’s main entrance were nicknamed Sawyer and Harris in honor of the library’s original benefactors, were not added until over a decade after the library first opened its doors. The appearance of the entrance has also changed over years. The original design had the steps going straight down to the side walk. In the spring of 1951 the entrance was redesigned to what you see today.

As Oshkosh grew, the library was expanded with a new addition in 1967. But by the late 1980s was found to be inadequate. In a fashion similar to the original Harris donation, an anonymous donor (later revealed to be former Miles Kimball Company head, Alberta Kimball) offered 5 million dollars for construction of a new library building as long as the city matched the funds. Once the city council approved matching funds, design and construction of today’s library building could go forward. The new building was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Frye,Gillen, Molinaro to be visually integrated with the original Waters-designed building.

The library re-opened in October of 1994 and celebrated its centennial in 2000.

Mueller, Joan. Architecture and Art of the Oshkosh Public Library , Oshkosh Public Library . January 1st 2000. Accessed June 22nd 2022. https://www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/sites/oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/files/architectureandartofthelibraryguide.pdf.