Wikipedia

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums

The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums is one of the largest private collections of historic manuscripts and documents in the world.[1][2] It was founded in 1983[3] by California real estate magnates David Karpeles and Marsha Karpeles [Wikidata],[4] with the goal of stimulating interest in learning, especially in children,[5][6] and to make the collection more accessible, is distributed among many Karpeles museums across the US, each located in a historic building, plus "mini-museums" in schools and office buildings. Items are rotated between museums quarterly, and each of the museums presents a daily general exhibit and one or more special scheduled exhibits throughout the year. In addition, Karpeles is aggressively expanding the content of its website.[7] All of the Karpeles Manuscript Library services are free.[8] The museums are located in small and midsize cities,[9] although the Karpeles family put on an exhibit in Central Park West in New York City in 1991.[4] As of June 2023, there are ten museums.[10]

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums
Karpeles Manuscript Library's first location in Santa Barbara, California
Established1983 Edit this on Wikidata
LocationUS
Coordinates34°25′21″N 119°42′18″W / 34.42257°N 119.70494°W / 34.42257; -119.70494
Typearchive
museum Edit this on Wikidata
FounderDavid Karpeles, Marsha Karpeles Edit this on Wikidata
Websitewww.karpeles.com
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums is located in the United States
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums
Location of Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums
[edit on Wikidata]

David Karpeles died on January, 19, 2022. [11][12]

Library locations

edit

Buffalo, New York

edit

In Buffalo, the Karpeles Museum is located at North Hall at 220 North Street at Elmwood Avenue. The North Hall was originally First Church of Christ, Scientist, built in 1911. The architecture of the building was designed to mimic a medieval church both inside and out, and the structure creates a dominating and fascinating location for the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. The rough textured building contrasts with its vibrant red roof tiles and 25 foot picture windows. The cavernous interior is characterized by many bays, wings and a massive room divider. Furthermore, its atypical asymmetric design complements the triangular corner lot.[13] The museum was featured in the movie Nightmare Alley.[14]

The museum formerly consisted of two separate buildings - the other at Porter Hall at 453 Porter Avenue at Jersey Street and Plymouth Avenue - which consolidated after David Karpeles' death in 2022.[15] Porter Hall was originally the Plymouth Methodist Church.[16]

Duluth, Minnesota

edit

The Duluth Museum at 902 East 1st Street was originally First Church of Christ, Scientist, built in 1912;[17] the original organ has been retained in the rotunda.[18] The structure is a beautiful building with a large main floor exhibit hall. As the ceiling is high, the acoustics are excellent and the building is very suitable for musical concerts and other programs.[19] The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Duluth provides a School Outreach Program with reproductions of original documents in special display cases located in area schools, colleges and libraries.[19] At the present time the museum supports seventeen elementary, junior and high schools in Duluth, the Twin Cities area and also now in Wisconsin and Canada.[19] The documents and manuscripts are specially chosen to supplement school curriculum and matters of topical interest and are also on display at two local colleges and three public libraries.[19]

Rock Island, Illinois

edit
 
The Rock Island location

The museum building in Rock Island was originally First Church of Christ, Scientist, built in 1896 in the Broadway Historic District. The building was designed by architect William C. Jones of Chicago in the Palladian style, it was built between 1914-1915. Its exterior walls are of brick covered by Bedford limestone. Its superimposed front portico is supported by six 2 story columns with egg-and-dart capitals. The dome actually consists of 2 domes: an outer dome and an inner dome which are separated by a space for lighting fixtures and maintenance. The inner dome consists of some 8,000 colored fish scale glass panes on a wooden support structure. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 14, 1998.[20]

Santa Barbara, California

edit
 
The Santa Barbara location

The Santa Barbara Karpeles Museum, the first to be opened,[9] is at 21 West Anapamu Street.[21] Since its opening in 1986, the Karpeles in Santa Barbara has displayed thousands of historic documents and presented many full exhibits. Among those items on permanent display in the museum is an original Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence, a replica of the globe used by Columbus (sans the Western Hemisphere), handwritten scores by a dozen leading composers, and the computer guidance system used on the first Apollo lander flight to the Moon. The Karpeles in Santa Barbara has played an important role in the educational and cultural life of the area.[22]

 
The Tacoma location
 
The Gloversville location

Gloversville, New York

edit

The Karpeles Museum in Gloversville, New York opened in 2020 at 66 Kingsboro Avenue. Housed in a former Christian Science church built in 1923, it is the 15th location in the chain.[23]

Alvin, Texas

edit

The building's structure was built in 1924. Its Neoclassical design covers over 0.5 acres. A circular stairway leads to majestic Roman-style columns and a second level double door entry. The main floor has a large room with elegant painted murals and textured ceilings. An original map of Alvin, TX, can be found as part of the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum’s collection.[citation needed]

Lake Mary, Florida

edit

The Karpeles Manuscript Library also hosts a Museum in their corporate office close to Orlando, Florida. The location's Director is one of the granddaughters of the founder.[citation needed]

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

edit

This museum's building is the former Holy Innocents Church that was built in 1902, which was replaced with the current structure completed in 1925. The Holy Innocents Church closed its doors in 2016. The building remained vacant until the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum purchased the building in 2019. It is evocative of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.[citation needed]

St. Augustine, Florida

edit

St. Augustine's Karpeles Manuscript Library Mini Museum is the world's smallest walk-in museum and the newest addition to the museum family.[citation needed]

Former locations

edit

Charleston, South Carolina

edit
 
The Charleston location

Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Charleston was housed in the former St. James Chapel, a Methodist church built in 1856. The building is in the Greek Revival style following the Corinthian order and was inspired by the Temple of Jupiter in Rome. During the Civil War, Confederates used the building as a hospital and stored medical supplies there. Hurricane Hugo tore off the roof of the building and destroyed its interior on September 21, 1989. Following renovation, the building reopened on November 11, 1990.[24]

Fort Wayne, Indiana

edit

The Karpeles Museum in Fort Wayne occupied two buildings. Fairfield Hall at 2410 Fairfield Avenue[25] is the former First Church of Christ, Scientist building and housed a rotating collection of historical documents, old and ancient ship models, and stone hieroglyphic inscriptions from the time of Moses.[citation needed] Piqua Hall was housed in a domed church at 3039 Piqua Avenue[25] built in 1917 as the First Church of God. It housed a rotating collection of historical maps.[citation needed]

The Fort Wayne location provided an educational outreach program in the form of mini-museum displays that were set up in local schools and maintained by museum staff.[citation needed]

Jacksonville, Florida

edit
 
The Jacksonville location
Main article: Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum (Jacksonville)

The Jacksonville Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum was located in the former First Church of Christ, Scientist building, a 1921 neoclassical structure in the Springfield neighborhood.[2][26] There was also an antique book library, with volumes dating from the late 19th century,[27] and a children's center.

Newburgh, New York

edit

The Karpeles Museum in Newburgh, New York, was located at 94 Broadway.[28] It housed the Dona McPhillips Historical Painting Series, which includes many portraits of famous Americans grouped together as "Founding Fathers", "Civil War Union", "Civil War Confederates", "Indian Heroes", "More Indian Heroes", "Pathfinders", "Texas", "Blacks", "Pioneers" and "Women".[citation needed]

St. Louis, Missouri

edit

The St. Louis branch of the Karpeles Manuscript Library opened on August 1, 2015. St. Louis is the largest metropolitan area to host a Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.[9] The museum was located at 3524 Russell Boulevard, near Grand Boulevard and across the street from Compton Hill Reservoir Park.[29] The structure was built as the Third Church of Christ, Scientist, and opened in 1911 (it had been occupied in later decades by The New Paradise Missionary Baptist Church). The St. Louis Media History Foundation's Archives Exhibit Room was also housed in the building.[29]The collection was featured on the PBS program, "Living St.Louis."[30]

On March 26, 2019, a three alarm fire broke out at the museum causing considerable damage, mostly to the roof and the back of the building. About 80 firefighters were dispatched to the scene to fight the fire and haul out historic pieces such as old wooden ships and statues. St. Louis Building Commissioner Frank Oswald said the building was structurally sound and could be repaired, as it had a steel, not wooden, skeleton.[31] As of 14 January 2021, the roof has not yet been repaired. The building has since been sold.

Shreveport, Louisiana

edit

The Karpeles Manuscript Library in Shreveport at 3201 Centenary Avenue[32] was originally First Church of Christ, Scientist.[citation needed]

Tacoma, Washington

edit

The Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Tacoma, Washington, which opened in 1991, was located at 407 South G Street in a former American Legion post built in 1931,[33] across the street from the Wright Park Arboretum.[34] The Tacoma location permanently closed in January 2024 and the building was sold to the Garden City Covenant Church.[35]

Examples of documents from the collection

edit

Music

edit

Science

edit

Religion

edit

Literature

edit

Political history

edit

Exploration

edit

Artwork

edit
  • Pat Burger Homeless Exhibit Collection
  • Dona McPhillips Historical Exhibit Collection
  • Norman Rockwell pencil drafts Exhibit Collection
  • The Brock Brothers Illustration Archive
  • Classic Book Illustrations

Programs

edit

The Library provides special educational programs and lectures for schools at all levels. The most popular of these are the Cultural Literacy Program and the School Outreach Program. In addition, Mini-Museums are maintained in many universities, secondary schools and grade schools throughout the country. These are free programs and grade schools, secondary schools, colleges or universities may participate.[36]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Washington State Map - experiencewa.com". experiencewa.com.
  2. ^ a b Charlie Patton (March 1, 2011). "Jacksonville's Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum has the write stuff". Florida Times-Union.
  3. ^ Silver, John. "Karpeles logo". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Archived from the original on 2021-04-26. Founded 1983
  4. ^ a b Susan Spano (February 15, 2004). "Worth more than the paper it's printed on". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ^ Austin Constdine, Historic Manuscript Exhibitions: From Cuneiform to Walt’s Will, New York Times, October 27, 2006.
  6. ^ Waymarking.com: Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum — Shreveport, Louisiana.
  7. ^ Charlie Patton (January 21, 2001). "Get it documented: David Karpeles, creator of manuscript museums". Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on March 20, 2001.
  8. ^ Duluth, Minnesota Guide to hotels, restaurants, activities, and events.
  9. ^ a b c Sarah Bryan Miller (August 16, 2015). "New museum of manuscripts offers a chance to relate to history". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  10. ^ "Karpeles Manuscript Library home page". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  11. ^ Zehnder, Katherine (February 11, 2022) "David Karpeles remembered for legacy, manuscript collection. Santa Barbara Press
  12. ^ Smith, Abigail Keely (February 11, 2022) 'A quiet, modest genius': David Karpeles leaves behind museums, legacy:The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum founder died Jan. 19. Duluth Times Tribune.
  13. ^ "Karpeles Manuscript Library". karpeles.com.
  14. ^ Toni Ruberto (October 23, 2023). "Role in 'Nightmare Alley' is a dream come true for Karpeles Manuscript Library". Buffalo News. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Jonathan D. Epstein (September 13, 2023). "Karpeles museum downsizes to one Buffalo location after death of founder". Buffalo News. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  16. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (October 20, 2017). "100-Plus Things: Porter Hall, Buffalo's original Karpeles Museum". Buffalo News. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  17. ^ "Karpeles: Duluth". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  18. ^ "Duluth: Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum". Atlas Obscura. September 25, 2017.
  19. ^ a b c d "Karpeles Manuscript Library, Duluth information". karpeles.com.
  20. ^ "Karpeles Manuscript Library, Rock Island, Illinois information". karpeles.com.
  21. ^ "Karpeles Manuscript Library Santa Barbara". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  22. ^ "Karpeles Manuscript Library, Santa Barbara information". karpeles.com.
  23. ^ Onyon, Ashley (June 16, 2020) "Karpeles Museum opens in Gloversville" The Leader-Herald
  24. ^ "Karpeles: Charleston". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  25. ^ a b "Karpeles: Fort Wayne". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  26. ^ Fodor's.com Travel advisor: Jacksonville.
  27. ^ "Karpeles Manuscript Library Jacksonville Museum Book Collection". rain.org. 2016-04-01. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  28. ^ "Karpeles: Newburgh". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  29. ^ a b Chris Naffziger (July 29, 2015). "The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum Opens its Doors". St Louis Magazine. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  30. ^ Living St.Louis PBS. March 20, 2016.
  31. ^ Byers, Christine (March 28, 2019). "Everything inside St. Louis museum saved from fire, but fate of building less clear". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "Karpeles: Shreveport". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  33. ^ Jean Janes (September 18, 2014). "Meeting the Makers of History Through Handwriting at Karpeles Manuscript Museum". South Sound Talk. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  34. ^ "Karpeles Manuscript Library, Tacoma information". Karpeles Manuscript Library. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  35. ^ Simone Carter (April 3, 2024). "Tacoma's 'magic portal' to past has closed. What's next for Karpeles museum building?". The News Tribune. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  36. ^ "Karpeles: Programs". karpeles.com.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Karpeles_Manuscript_Library_Museums&oldid=1240399093"