Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ LIBRARIES ~
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just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
~ New Library Building at Bay View ~
The Petoskey Public Library was established 25 September 1905, and housed above the First National Bank. Lilia L. Johnson donated the Carnegie Library site in 1908 in memory of her husband. Andrew Carnegie donated $2500. for the construction of the building of the Carnegie Library. The building officially opened on 11 November 1909. A memorial plaque to Pulitzer Prize winner Bruce Catton is located on the front lawn of the original library building.
In 2022 the Petoskey District Library, originally housed in the Carnegie Library, and has noted that the Carnegie building is the "oldest municipal building in Emmet County in continuous original use and serves those within the city limits, as well as Bear Creek, Resort, Little Traverse and Springvale township."
In 2022 the Petoskey District Library, originally housed in the Carnegie Library, and has noted that the Carnegie building is the "oldest municipal building in Emmet County in continuous original use and serves those within the city limits, as well as Bear Creek, Resort, Little Traverse and Springvale township."
Carnegie Offer for a Petoskey Carnegie Library
Later, the library lot site was donated by Leila Johnson in memory of her husband W.W. Johnson
who was killed in a car wreck with a train in Bay View.
who was killed in a car wreck with a train in Bay View.
Article AND Photo Next Below: 1908 Construction site for Petoskey's Carnegie Public Library on Mitchell Street
with the Emmet County Court House on Division Street in the background.
Mrs. Johnson bought property for the library lot site from both the Methodist Church,
and the Wingate's livery property; combined the properties and donated it for the library.
with the Emmet County Court House on Division Street in the background.
Mrs. Johnson bought property for the library lot site from both the Methodist Church,
and the Wingate's livery property; combined the properties and donated it for the library.
Two Photos Below: A portrait of W.W. Johnson is hung over the fireplace in the Carnegie Library, along with a plaque commemorating the gift of the building lot site for the library building, from Lelia L. Johnson in memory of her husband W.W. Johnson. Click HERE to access additional information about W.W. Johnson's contribution to the area, and his tragic death on the "Old Houses" web page of this same web site.
Photo Below of Petoskey District Library Michigan Room items and note in a display case... "I found this little plate in my mother's things after her death. She was born in Petoskey in 1923. I thought perhaps it might spark a memory for someone at the library. All the Best ~ Carole Bostelman
Amy Lusk was the "Founding Director of the Petoskey Public Library."
"Isaac M. Lusk had a fascinating life before moving to the boondocks of Emmet County. Amy Lusk's father was born and raised in New York and graduated from college. He lived in California in 1854 and 1855 and made a lot of money. On his return trip, he took the Panama route. Somewhere in the ocean, his ship sank or was wrecked. Nearly everyone died but he survived, however, his money was lost. He joined the Union Army in the Civil War and rose steadily in rank and finished as a Lt. Colonel. He probably served at Gettysburg. For the rest of his life he was known as Colonel Lusk. In 1876, he took a homestead at the corner of Ayr and Edward roads and started an apple orchard. We can still see some of the old trees that he planted. Lusk continued to be a leader. He was a township supervisor in Maple River and Littlefield for many years. In 1889, when his wife Mary died, they were still living on the homestead. The fluently written obituary of Mary said that she was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church and while for many years she had been an invalid, she was a power in the community because of her lovely character, her intelligence, her womanly virtues and unaffected piety. Sometime after 1890, Isaac moved to Petoskey and lived with one of his children. His obituary in 1908 said of him 'Throughout his life, kindness and generosity had been a predominate trait in his character to a degree that was sometimes detrimental to his own good. Honesty and perseverance won him a place in high esteem in his business life coupled with an integrity that is seldom excelled.'
Amy Lusk was probably an early women's rights advocate. She never married and lived at home for many years to help with her invalid mother. She taught school at Brutus, North Ayr, and other country schools. She owned land in Maple River Township. Even though women could not vote, she ran for a township office, but she lost, of course. After teaching school, she became the founding director of the Petoskey Public Library. She remained in that position for many years. A friend of this writer was dismayed a few years ago when he discovered that this important woman had no gravestone in Greenwood Cemetery. He raised the money and gave her a small memorial." The tombstone in Greenwood Cemetery is engraved: "Amy Lusk Librarian." Amy was born 7 June 1860 and died 26 December 1937. |
Photo Below: Miss Amy Lusk gathered in the rustic pagoda "Summer House" in the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad Park [now Pennsylvania Park in downtown Petoskey] with the Petoskey faculty named individuals: Supt. Andres; Ann Founee; Martha Warne; Margaret Dickinson; Anne Bull; Alice Bickingham; Lowe Evrest; Amy Lusk; Mac Dougles; Clara Merrlock; Mac Morden; Agnes Diane; Frances Burtch; Grace Wilcox; Sandi Lowell; Sandie Childs; Gass; Irving Slach, Janitor.
Additional information about the railroad Summer House may be found on the Railroad web page on this same web site by clicking HERE.
Additional information about the railroad Summer House may be found on the Railroad web page on this same web site by clicking HERE.
After teaching, Miss Lusk went on to become the librarian in 1909 for Petoskey's Carnegie Public Library (photo below) until 1932. One of the stories that has passed down through the years was that NO books BY Hemingway were to be found on the Petoskey Public Library shelves; reason being that supposedly in one of Hemingway’s books he wrote about the Petoskey Public Librarian in a not too complimentary tone, so she thereon refused to place any of his books on the shelves of a library where she held the power of what went on the library shelves. True story, or not, but that was the story told.
John Hargrove who is knowledgeable of Hemingway's writings revealed, "Hemingway does reference the librarian in a couple spots in his The Torrents of Spring, but nothing considered salacious in any way:
'He [Yogi] had gone to the Public Library and asked for a book the night before. He looked at the librarian. He did not want her. Somehow, she meant nothing to him.'
'There was a chap in that fellow Anderson's book that the librarian had given him at the library last night. Why hadn't he wanted the librarian, anyway? Could it be because he thought she might have false teeth? Could it be something else? Would a little child ever tell her? He didn't know. What was the librarian to him, anyway?'"
'He [Yogi] had gone to the Public Library and asked for a book the night before. He looked at the librarian. He did not want her. Somehow, she meant nothing to him.'
'There was a chap in that fellow Anderson's book that the librarian had given him at the library last night. Why hadn't he wanted the librarian, anyway? Could it be because he thought she might have false teeth? Could it be something else? Would a little child ever tell her? He didn't know. What was the librarian to him, anyway?'"
Photo Below: The Michigan Hemingway Society's 2012 plaque in front of the old Carnegie Library building,
makes no mention of Hemingway's reference to the Petoskey Librarian as written in his The Torrents of Spring book.
Article Below: This 11 December 1974 Petoskey News Review column titled ”Library Corner” presented by the Petoskey Public Library is interesting; a considerable listing of “Books BY Hemingway” and “Books ABOUT Hemingway”; especially considering that at one time, Hemingway books, reportedly, were not allowed on the shelves of the Petoskey Public Library.
Bill Ohle donated about 600 volumes on Michigan and Great Lakes history to Petoskey's Library.
1973
Carnegie Library Building
500 East Mitchell Street, Petoskey Michigan
Two Photos Below: Interior of Petoskey's Carnegie Library
Photo Below: Sculptor Stanley Kellogg's life-sized ceramic horse had rested in front of the Kellogg Studio on Charlevoix Avenue, Petoskey, Michigan. It was donated by the Kellogg Family to the Carnegie Library as seen in the 2008 photo below. Then, in 2012 the sculpture was moved across the street to the second floor of the new Petoskey District Library.
Above Letter to the Editor: Donators of special items to the Petoskey District Library
need to consider carefully that The Petoskey District Library has no scruples about Preserving History.
Additional information about Kellogg's artistic talents may be accessed on this same web site by clicking HERE.
need to consider carefully that The Petoskey District Library has no scruples about Preserving History.
Additional information about Kellogg's artistic talents may be accessed on this same web site by clicking HERE.
In 2018 the Carnegie Building is used in conjunction with the Crooked Tree Arts Center next door.
The Agenda Memo Below notes the maintenance issues
which need to be addressed for the Carnegie Building of an estimate of $850,000.00.
which need to be addressed for the Carnegie Building of an estimate of $850,000.00.
A divisive statement which had been published in the Petoskey District Library newsletter was addressed in a letter from Bear Creek Township board whose constituents are taxpayers toward the library. The library's statement, among other promotions, had included: "Because one thing white people can do for racial justice is to read books by and about people of color (Poc)."
~ Indoctrination of Young People by the Library, without adult consent... all funded by public dollars ~
Six Photos Below showing the following actual described happening: When a teenager was leaving the Petoskey District Library, she was given a box with her name on it. She noticed more boxes as well. At home the box was opened to reveal some snacks for the teen and a book to be read. The adult with the teen, while opening the library's box", was horrified to learn the library had sent home for the teen to read... a book titled STAMPED RACISM, ANTIRACISM AND YOU. The book was noted on the library's website as one of the recommended racism books for youth. This is indoctrination of young people by the library, without adult consent... and all is funded by public dollars.
Click HERE to read the article "Teaching children to be antiracist" from the Harvard Gazette
which illustrates the indoctrination of readers and YOUNG listeners
as Ibram X. Kendi discussed his book Antiracist Baby.
which illustrates the indoctrination of readers and YOUNG listeners
as Ibram X. Kendi discussed his book Antiracist Baby.
It was announced about 22 September 2023 by Boston University that it would open an inquiry into Ibram X. Kendi's Center for Antiracist Research, after Kendi last week laid off most of its staff–and amidst revelations based on extensive investigation by the Daily Free Press, the university's independent student paper, that the Center, which has been showered with tens of millions of dollars from wealthy individuals and major corporations, has somehow lost all the money and has little work to shop for it.
Petoskey District Library
500 East Mitchell Street, Petoskey, Michigan
500 East Mitchell Street, Petoskey, Michigan
Michigan Bell Telephone Company [click HERE for additional Petoskey telephone company history information history] was located in this spot, and building, until the City of Petoskey purchased it in 1989. The Carnegie Library holdings across the street were moved to the new library building which opened in November 2004. In 2009 with the library becoming the Petoskey District Library, some of the surrounding townships had voter approval so their residents could use the library facility.
Photo Below: The main entry to the Petoskey District Library was closed off
due to renovations of the steps and sidewalk which had deteriorated.
due to renovations of the steps and sidewalk which had deteriorated.
Little Free Library
Several Little Free Libraries ~ "Take a Book - Share a Book"
are located around Emmet County.
Several Little Free Libraries ~ "Take a Book - Share a Book"
are located around Emmet County.
Photo Below: This Little Free Library is located directly across the street from the Petoskey District Library,
and was built as a replica of the Presbyterian Church where it is located just in front by the main door
at 501 East Mitchell Street.
and was built as a replica of the Presbyterian Church where it is located just in front by the main door
at 501 East Mitchell Street.
Charlevoix Public Library
220 Clinton Street, Charlevoix, Michigan
220 Clinton Street, Charlevoix, Michigan
This Charlevoix Graded School and Gymnasium was built in 1927 and used for a school for 75 years. In September 2006 the library opened in this old school space after generous donations, fund raising, and a passed millage.
Crooked Tree District Library
Walloon Lake, Michigan
Walloon Lake, Michigan
Visit the Walloon Lake Michigan Wanderings website's web page of
Crooked Tree District Library
for more information.
Crooked Tree District Library
for more information.
Harbor Springs Library
206 South Spring Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan
206 South Spring Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan
Article Below: Tribute Given to FIRST Librarian of Harbor Springs
Mackinaw City Library
528 West Central Avenue, Mackinaw City, Michigan
528 West Central Avenue, Mackinaw City, Michigan