Cornish Library
{{short description|Public library in Winnipeg}}
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with the proposed Cornish National Library}}
{{Infobox library
| library_name = Cornish Library
| library_logo =
| image = Cornish Library Winnipeg.jpg
| location = 20 West Gate
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 2E1
| coordinates = {{Coord|49|52.708|N|097|09.593|W|format=dms|type:landmark_region:CA-MB|display=inline,title}}
| architect = S. Frank Peters
| established = June 15, 1915{{Cite book|url=https://digitalcollections.lib.umanitoba.ca/islandora/object/uofm:2395576#page/1/mode/2up|title=The Pictorial History of Early Armstrong's Point|last=Guy|first=R. D.|pages=23}}
| branch_of = Winnipeg Public Library
| req_to_access =
| collection_size =
| annual_circulation =
| pop_served =
| members =
| budget =
| director = Rick Watkins, Branch Head
| num_employees =
| website = https://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/branchpages/branch.aspx?cnsh
| service_area = Crescentwood, Rockwood, West Broadway
| type = Public Library
| scope =
| country = Canada
}}
The Cornish Library, is a branch of the Winnipeg Public Library, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Like the St. John's Library, the Cornish is one of two Carnegie libraries in the city. It is a Grade II listed building and a Winnipeg Landmark Heritage Structure. It was gazetted on January 15, 1993.{{cite web|url=http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/historic/historic_conservlist.stm|title=Municipally Designated Sites in Winnipeg Buildings Conservation List|date=September 30, 2009|publisher=winnipeg.ca|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405142841/http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/historic/historic_conservlist.stm|archive-date=5 April 2011|url-status=dead}} It is named in honour of Winnipeg's first mayor, Francis Evans Cornish.{{cite journal|last=Melnick|first=Christine|date=Spring 1985|title=Famous Places: The Cornish Library - 70 Years Old|url=http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/09/cornishlibrary.shtml|journal=Manitoba History|location=Winnipeg|publisher=The Manitoba Historical Society|issue=9|issn=0226-5044}}
History
Designed by the architect S. Frank Peters, the plans had to be approved by Carnegie's personal secretary, James Bertram, to assure money was not wasted on exterior ornamentation at the expense of book shelves and furniture. The library is located at 20 West Gate in Cornish Park{{cite web|url=http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/historic/pdf-consv/West%20Gate%2020-long.pdf|title=20 West Gate Cornish Library|date=August 1992|publisher=City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322185915/http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/historic/pdf-consv/West%20Gate%2020-long.pdf|archive-date=March 22, 2012|access-date=April 27, 2011}} on a small piece of land at one of the entrances to Armstrong's Point, near the Maryland Bridge.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rPIdRxgOooEC&pg=PA53|title=The greater glory: thirty-seven years with the Jesuits|last=Casey|first=Stephen|date=1 April 2007|publisher=McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP|isbn=978-0-7735-3243-4|pages=53–|access-date=26 April 2011}} It replaced the Winnipeg Waterworks building. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Assiniboine River with the library's west elevation facing the river. The Cornish Baths, Winnipeg's first indoor pool,{{cite web|url=http://winnipegtimemachine.blogspot.com/2009/04/pritchard-ave-public-baths.html|title=Pritchard Ave. Public Baths|last=Siamandas|first=George|date=April 12, 2009|website=The Winnipeg Time Machine|access-date=27 April 2011}} were formerly located beside the Library.
Construction by the National Construction Company of Winnipeg began in 1914. The library opened on June 15, 1915. The foundation was damaged by flooding in 1918 and it was repaired using a $7,000 Carnegie grant.
The Library underwent a renovation in 2019-20{{Cite web|url=https://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/whatshappening/renorenewal/pecnsh.asp|title=Renovation of Cornish Library|date=January 28, 2019|website=Winnipeg.ca|access-date=September 23, 2019}} that included the addition of an all-glass reading area and improved accessibility from the main entrance. The renovation came in at $3.74 million, and the Library officially reopened July 29, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Pursaga |first1=Joyanne |title=Cornish Library reopens after reno; now its name is under review |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/cornish-library-reopens-after-reno-now-its-name-is-under-review-574963572.html |website=Winnipeg Free Press |date=29 July 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021}}
Architecture and fittings
The library, {{convert|4600|sqft|disp=flip}} in size, was built in keeping with Andrew Carnegie's specifications, being of a simple plan that was characterized by classical details, fenestration and modest interior appointments.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6885&pid=0|title=Cornish Library 20 West Gate, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C, Canada|work=Canada's Historic Places|publisher=Parks Canada|access-date=26 April 2011}} Resting on a concrete foundation, it has nearly 4,000 cu. m. (141,074 cu. ft.) of interior space, 75 million bricks, 1,002 superficial sq. m. of plaster, and 229 cu. m. of concrete. The building cost approximately $30,000 - which 100 years later is $807,000 in 2024 Canadian dollars (adjusted for inflation).{{cite web |title=Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator |url=https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/ |access-date=August 13, 2024}}
=Exterior=
The one-storey building is rectangular and has a raised concrete basement. An ornamental, smooth-cut belt encircles both levels. There are red brick walls and limestone details. Sills are made of stone. Windows are tall and rectangular. While the hip roof is low-pitched, a centred front portico and centred rear pavilion have a gabled roof. The main entrance has a pedimented double-door. This is framed by stone columns. A carved entablature includes the words: "PUBLIC LIBRARY", "CORNISH BRANCH", and "A.D. 1914". The pediment on top of the rear pavilion has an oculus with decorative brick and stone detailing. There are block modillions in the pediments and under the eaves. Other features include red brick chimneys with stone caps as well as a brick and stone porch with a gable roof.
=Interior=
The library has high ceilings and windows. The basement ceilings are {{convert|12|ft|disp=flip}}, while the main floor ceilings are {{convert|18|ft|disp=flip}}. The main floor has built-in perimeter bookshelves. Reading areas include partial wall and screened wall areas. The lower level is reached via stairs from the front vestibule. A central hallway in the basement separates lecture rooms. Interior doors are made of oak and glass. Other interior features include solid, wide, oak tables, wood panelling, and tiled fireplaces with oak mantels.
The collections are situated on the main floor while the basement has a program room that seats 60 people.{{cite web|url=http://wpl.city.winnipeg.mb.ca/library/contact/branches/cornish.asp|title=Cornish Library|work=winnipeg.mb.ca|date=April 21, 2011|access-date=April 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727230214/http://wpl.city.winnipeg.mb.ca/library/contact/branches/cornish.asp|archive-date=July 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}
Notable people
The Canadian novelist, prohibitionist, and women's rights and reform movement activist Nellie McClung lectured at the Cornish Library.