Oregon Recommends La Grande's Historic Carnegie Library for National Register

The Oregon State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation approved a formal recommendation to add the 1913 library building to the National Register of Historic Places.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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La Grande's historic Carnegie Library building has taken a major step toward extensive restoration and preservation, as the Oregon State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation approved a formal recommendation to add the 1913 structure to the National Register of Historic Places. The building's application will now be forwarded to the federal government for final approval.

Why it matters

The Carnegie Library is one of only a handful of such buildings remaining in the U.S. that have not yet been listed as a historic landmark. If approved, the designation would make the library eligible for new grant opportunities to restore and preserve its facade and other historical elements, helping to maintain an important civic and cultural hub for the La Grande community.

The details

The La Grande Carnegie Library building was originally constructed in 1913 and served as the city's public library until 2006. The committee praised the building for largely adhering to its historical condition and layout, as well as its historical and cultural significance to La Grande. However, they provided some feedback, including the need for more information on structural elements, a visual comparison to other Carnegie Libraries, and addressing concerns about the building's founder, Andrew Carnegie.

  • The Oregon State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation approved the recommendation on February 19, 2026.
  • The building's application will now be forwarded to the federal government for final approval, though a timeline has not been set.

The players

Oregon State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation

A committee under the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department that reviews and recommends historic properties for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kara Brunzell

A historian with Brunzell Historical who worked with the City of La Grande to develop the proposal for adding the Carnegie Library to the National Register.

Sarah Munro

A committee member who took the lead in reviewing the proposal for the La Grande Carnegie Library.

Heidi Slaybaugh

A committee member who expressed the need for a more extensive visual comparison of the La Grande Carnegie Library to other similar buildings, particularly in Enterprise, Oregon.

Steve Mark

A committee member who raised questions about the ethics of Andrew Carnegie, the library's founder, and whether local media at the time brought up these concerns.

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What they’re saying

“The narrative put forward in the proposal, in general, kept in line with similar Carnegie Libraries across the country and Eastern Oregon.”

— Sarah Munro, Committee Member

“Munro remarked on the library's importance in promoting civic engagement, free access to information, and fostering an informed citizenry.”

— Sarah Munro, Committee Member

What’s next

The committee will work with Kara Brunzell and Brunzell Historical to make changes and improvements to the proposal before it is considered for final approval by the federal government. A date for the federal review has not been set.

The takeaway

The recommendation to add La Grande's historic Carnegie Library to the National Register of Historic Places is an important step in preserving a significant civic and cultural landmark for the community. The designation would open up new funding opportunities to restore and maintain the building, ensuring it continues to serve as a hub for education and engagement.