The Carnegie’s much-anticipated book, A Century of Stories: Turlock’s Carnegie Remembered is hot off the press and will soon be available for purchase online or in the Carnegie’s gift shop. The book has been created in honor of the Carnegie’s Centennial. The volume features a collection of over 100 memories that tell the story of the Carnegie’s first century. These memories are from past and present visitors to the Carnegie, who offer tales of their unique and personal experiences at the site.
The Carnegie has had multiple roles in Turlock throughout its 100 years of existence. It was first opened in 1916 as a public library, initiated by a Turlock women’s club and funded by Andrew Carnegie, historical philanthropist and renowned leader of the American steel industry. The Carnegie Library welcomed every type of visitor and ignited in many a love for art, literature, and knowledge.
When the library was moved to a new location on Minaret Street, the Carnegie became Turlock’s new recreation and community center. As the Kaleidoscope —a teen recreation center during the early 1970s— many fondly remember attending the Carnegie for concerts, dances, and teen “hang out.”
After the teen center closed the Carnegie became The Regional Arts Center in 1980 until taken over by the newly formed Turlock City Arts Commission. The Center housed many highly regarded exhibitions of works by regional artists as well as poetry readings and live theater. In 2005 an arson fire devastated the building. Citizens of Turlock rallied together to preserve the original Carnegie structure
and expand the facility. In September 2011 the building was reopened as the new Carnegie Arts Center.
A Century of Stories: Turlock’s Carnegie Remembered will be available for purchase or pick-up beginning on April 19th. It is the perfect coffee table book, historical read, Carnegie memento, gift, or just a great way to support the Carnegie! The book can be purchased in the Carnegie’s gift shop or online at https://www.amilia.com/store/en/carnegie-arts-center-turlock/shop/products
[…] Curiosity: The Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock sits in a building with a century-long arc: it began as Turlock’s Carnegie Library in 1916, survived a 2005 fire, and reopened in 2011 as the Carnegie Arts Center, a story of resilience that mirrors tonight’s creative energy. (source) […]