Indianapolis Central Library, Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Central Library, adjacent to the World War Memorial Plaza, was designed by Philadelphia-based architect Paul Philippe Cret. It opened to the public on October 8, 1917.
The original Central Library building was constructed in Greek Doric style architecture, faced with Indiana limestone on a Vermont marble base. The building contains a number of distinguished architectural design elements. The main reading room inside the main entrance has two flights of Maryland marble stairs and an ornamental ceiling designed by C. C. Zantzinger. The ceiling includes oil-on-canvas medallions and printers' colophons accompanied by a series of bas-relief plaster plaques depicting early-Indiana history. Reading rooms at the top of each staircase have wood paneling above oak bookcases and large leaded glass windows. Central Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 28, 1975.
Central Library has undergone a number of expansions and renovations over the years. In 2001, Indianapolis-based architectural firm Woollen, Molzan and Partners was commissioned to renovate the historic building, expand with a six-story addition, and incorporate an underground parking garage. The renovated Central Library and its new atrium addition opened on December 9, 2007.
The Central Library houses the Indianapolis Special Collections Room. The collection contains a variety of archival adult and children's materials, both fiction and nonfiction books by local authors, photographs, scrapbooks, typescripts, manuscripts, autographed editions, letters, newspapers, magazines, and realia. The collection features Kurt Vonnegut, May Wright Sewall, the Woollen family, James Whitcomb Riley, and Booth Tarkington.
The original Central Library building was constructed in Greek Doric style architecture, faced with Indiana limestone on a Vermont marble base. The building contains a number of distinguished architectural design elements. The main reading room inside the main entrance has two flights of Maryland marble stairs and an ornamental ceiling designed by C. C. Zantzinger. The ceiling includes oil-on-canvas medallions and printers' colophons accompanied by a series of bas-relief plaster plaques depicting early-Indiana history. Reading rooms at the top of each staircase have wood paneling above oak bookcases and large leaded glass windows. Central Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 28, 1975.
Central Library has undergone a number of expansions and renovations over the years. In 2001, Indianapolis-based architectural firm Woollen, Molzan and Partners was commissioned to renovate the historic building, expand with a six-story addition, and incorporate an underground parking garage. The renovated Central Library and its new atrium addition opened on December 9, 2007.
The Central Library houses the Indianapolis Special Collections Room. The collection contains a variety of archival adult and children's materials, both fiction and nonfiction books by local authors, photographs, scrapbooks, typescripts, manuscripts, autographed editions, letters, newspapers, magazines, and realia. The collection features Kurt Vonnegut, May Wright Sewall, the Woollen family, James Whitcomb Riley, and Booth Tarkington.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Indianapolis. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Indianapolis Central Library on Map
Sight Name: Indianapolis Central Library
Sight Location: Indianapolis, USA (See walking tours in Indianapolis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Indianapolis, USA (See walking tours in Indianapolis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Indianapolis, Indiana
Create Your Own Walk in Indianapolis
Creating your own self-guided walk in Indianapolis is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour
The rich history of Indianapolis is reflected, among other things, in the extensive collection of historical churches. Throughout decades, these sacred landmarks have influenced the social geography of the city and today serve as symbols of the city's cultural and architectural heritage.
One such is the Scottish Rite Cathedral, a prominent example of Neo-Gothic style, known for its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
One such is the Scottish Rite Cathedral, a prominent example of Neo-Gothic style, known for its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Architectural Jewels
A number of unique constructions found throughout Indianapolis have given the city its inimitable identity. Many of them are registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Some of the best local buildings are situated along the diagonal avenues coming from Mile Square, as per the city plan laid out in 1821 by Scottish-born architect Alexander Ralston (the one who participated in laying... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Some of the best local buildings are situated along the diagonal avenues coming from Mile Square, as per the city plan laid out in 1821 by Scottish-born architect Alexander Ralston (the one who participated in laying... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Indianapolis Introduction Walking Tour
The "Crossroads of America", Indianapolis (or Indy for short) is the capital of the US state of Indiana and the heart of the American Midwest.
The Indigenous people had lived in this area since as early as 10,000 BC before they relinquished their tribal land to the United States, in the Treaty of Saint Mary's, in 1818. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
The Indigenous people had lived in this area since as early as 10,000 BC before they relinquished their tribal land to the United States, in the Treaty of Saint Mary's, in 1818. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles