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Address: 1314 Franklin Avenue East
Neighborhood: Ventura Village
Construction Date: 1914
Contractor: Unknown
Architect: Edward L. Tilton
Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival
Historic Use: Public - Library Branch
Current Use: Public - Library Branch
Date of Local Designation: 1997
Date of National Register Designation: 2000
Area(s) of Significance: Social history; significant person; architecture
Period of Significance: 1914 -
Historic Profile: During the years Minneapolis struggled to accommodate a rapidly growing immigrant population, -- the Franklin Avenue branch of the Minneapolis Public Library system played an important role as a neighborhood and educational center. For many years, it housed the largest collection of Scandinavian books, magazines and newspapers in the city, which largely reflected the population of the area. Franklin was one of thirteen branches established under the leadership of Gratia Countryman, the Chief Librarian from 1904 to 1936. Noted as the first woman librarian responsible for a system the size of that in Minneapolis’, it was her mission to bring people closer to books. Funded by the Carnegie Corporation and designed by Edward L. Tilton, a New York City architect known for his library and public building designs, the Franklin Library was a departure from the prevalent style in the Phillips neighborhood.
Photo Credits:
1914, Charles Hibbard, courtesy of The Minnesota Historical Society
2006, Minneapolis CPED
Works Cited:
"City of Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Registration Form," May 1996.