McIntosh Memorial Library of Viroqua will receive a $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States.
Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. Opened in 1904, McIntosh Memorial is one of 63 Carnegie Libraries in Wisconsin built through this historic program.
“This gift honors the history of Carnegie Libraries and the role they have played in communities nationwide for more than a century,” said Library Director Trina Erickson.
“Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as ‘cradles of democracy’ that ‘strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man,’” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”
McIntosh Memorial will receive the gift in January 2026 and may use the funds however they wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further the mission, and benefit the community.
Patrons are invited to share their photos, stories, and community celebrations about the McIntosh Memorial Library at carnegielibraries.org.