Rensselaer Carnegie Library
A foyer with stairs is just inside the main door. This tall space leads down to the basement on the left, and up to the main level on the right. Oak woodwork in the foyer remains intact, including wainscoting, paneling, and a purely decorative stair rail. The stair rail has paneled newels and turned balusters. Door and window surrounds have beaded vertical boards and entablature headers. Only the window moldings have been maintained from the original. Most of the original built-in bookcases remain, as do window and door surrounds. Suspended fluorescent lighting and acoustical ceiling tiles have been added. The stained glass skylight was removed. Architecturally, Rensselaer Library is a good example of a Carnegie library building. Prominent Fort Wayne architect Charles Weatherhogg designed the building, which is among the best examples of Neo-Classical Revival architecture in Rensselaer.
Interior
The Rensselaer Carnegie Library in Rensselaer, Indiana is a building from 1905. The basement is about above grade and below. A flight of stairs leads to main entry.