When East Central Regional Library was organized, Pine City opted to remain independent from East Central Regional Library, though its county, Pine County, joined the system. Pine City joined East Central Regional Library when a new city hall was built in 1978 with space reserved for a library. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
The North Branch Area Library was located in the Main Mall, a new retail building on Main Street from 1985-1989, with 1,166 square feet, North Branch, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
The new McGregor Public Library was completed and opened in September 1989, McGregor, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
View of the grand piano and fireplace in the music room, Turnblad mansion. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
The Mille Lacs Lake Community Library became East Central Regional Library's 13th branch in 1985, and moved to the Isle City Center building in 1991. The library is in the left side of this building, and the city hall and police are located on the right, with a meeting room in the back, Isle, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
When McGregor Public Library joined East Central Regional Library in 1964, the library was housed in the former jail. The concrete building had been renovated, but the jail cells and the window bars were still intact, and heating was problematic. The circulation desk was where the jailer's desk had been, McGregor, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
This 2,400 square foot building on Main Street in Lindstrom served the Chisago Lakes community as a library from 1973 to 2005 when a larger library was built in Chisago Lakes Township. When the library moved out, the building became the new home for the Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Interior view of the library, with library table and Kakelugn. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Tile stove in the Turnblad mansion lower level featuring Viking motifs and two Tomtar on either side. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Tile stove in the third chamber connecting two bedrooms on the second floor of the Turnblad mansion. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
This stove is located in the small bedchamber next to the northwest bedchamber. At one time it was thought to be Lillian Turnblad's bedroom. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
This stove is located in the large bedchamber in the northeast corner of the second floor. It was made in Uppsala, Sweden for the Turnblad mansion. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
This kakelugn was made by Uppsala-Ekeby AB in Uppsala, Sweden. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Green tile stove in the library of the Turnblad mansion. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
This kakelugn was made by the Rorstrand Porcelain Company of Stockholm in the Rococo Revival style. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
This green tile stove is located on the third floor of the Turnblad mansion. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Exterior view of the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library