Carnegie Libraries of Michigan Presentations Planned for Upper Peninsula this September

Tuesday, September 3 in Escanaba & Wednesday, September 4 in Ishpeming

Michigan historian, storyteller and author Dianna Stampfler will be presenting two programs in early September about the Carnegie Libraries of Michigan. Her program on Tuesday, September 3 (5pm) at the Escanaba Public Library and Wednesday, September 4 (5:30pm) at the Ishpeming Carnegie Library are both free and open to the public.

During his lifetime, American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (who was born in Scotland) donated money for the construction of more than 2,470 libraries around the world between 1883 and 1929. In Michigan, 61 of these libraries were built throughout both peninsulas in the early 1900s and many still house books and welcome readers, while others have found other purposes in their communities. A handful have been lost to time. Step inside these historic structures (theoretically) and learn about the impact they made on the towns in which they were built.

Carnegie’s first library in the entire state of Michigan was built in Ironwood – in the Upper Peninsula – opening in January 1902. In fact, four of the first five Michigan Carnegie libraries are still standing in the U.P. (Ironwood, January 1902; Iron Mountain, April 1902; Escanaba, June 1903; and Ishpeming, March 1904).

Over the years, Stampfler has presented on a variety of topics at Carnegie Libraries around Michigan, including Petoskey, Newaygo, Howell, Boyne City and Lapeer. It was during those visits that she became fascinated with Carnegie’s appreciation for libraries and his longstanding mission to bring books to the people. Recently, Dianna has created the Carnegie Libraries of Michigan Facebook page and a Carnegie Libraries of Michigan Map.

Stampfler has been professionally writing and broadcasting since high school. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with emphasis in Community Journalism and Communications with emphasis in radio broadcasting from Western Michigan University. She is a regular contributor to Michigan History Magazine, among other publications. Dianna is a member of the Historical Society of Michigan, Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, West Michigan Tourist Association and several other historical organizations.