Month: October 2018

ACO’s Lecture Series for 2018/19 kicks off November 8th

Image courtesy of City of Cambridge Archives

The phenomenon of the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie in funding the construction of libraries virtually across the world and the special gift of the eight buildings endowed to what is now the Region of Waterloo will be the subject of ACO’s educational lecture series this year.

Carnegie himself and the motives behind his benevolence will be discussed as will the Beaux-Arts style popular for public buildings at turn-of-the century and used for the majority of the Region’s Carnegie libraries. A lecture by architect Phillip Carter will examine the creative ways in which his retrofits and additions to Carnegie buildings have extended their lives without compromising the beauty of their original designs.

As the good weather returns next spring, we will be offering a day-long bus tour that will afford us the opportunity of examining especially interesting examples of libraries built through Carnegie’s generosity that continue to serve the evolving needs of the communities where they were built a century ago.

The first lecture takes place Thursday, November 8 and is presented by heritage planner and historic restoration specialist, Erin Smith. 

Entitled, “Andrew Carnegie’s Gift to the Region: Understanding the Eight Carnegie Libraries of Waterloo Region,” this illustrated lecture which examines the Region’s Carnegie libraries 1903 – 1923, spans the entire period of Carnegie’s grant program, thus offering a fairly comprehensive representation of Carnegie libraries over time.
The talk will also place the Region’s Carnegie libraries in the broader timeline of architecture and library development, from the early twentieth century to the present day. The impacts of major paradigm shifts in architecture and planning, resulting in the loss of many of our Carnegie libraries, will be discussed. Lastly, the Carnegie library’s place in the 21st century will be contemplated – the challenges and exciting opportunities facing our Carnegie libraries will be explored.
Go to the Eventbrite site now for your tickets.


Again this year lectures will be hosted at WalterFedy, 675 Queen Street South, Kitchener and begin at 7 pm. Plenty of parking is available and the building is accessible.