Carnegie Library

Situated at the southeast corner of Queen and Chapel Streets. The Carnegie Library was constructed with a donation of $12,000 from American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. The cornerstone was laid in 1906. Between 1881 and 1917 Carnegie financed the construction of 156 free libraries across Canada and thousands more around the world. Like most of Carnegie’s libraries, this building is an example of the classical Beaux Arts architectural style, and is characterised by an elaborate entranceway along with heavy, classically inspired ornamentation. The addition running east along Queen Street was built in 1952 and was called the Fenton Memorial wing. In later years, the Brampton Board of Trade occupied the building. Today it is owned and used by the City of Brampton, and the Brampton Concert Band (established 1884) rehearses in what was once the children’s section of the library.