3/49.- Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library, Oakland

Built in 1895, the Carnegie Library proudly proclaims "Free to the People" above the doorways. The magnanimous Andrew Carnegie bequeathed libraries, a university and museums to the people of Pittsburgh; perhaps to ensure his stairway to heaven. After taking so much from the people who worked in his mills, this Scottish laird of Pittsburgh opened his gentle palm and let trickle forth some of his pennies onto their empty bellies. Andrew Carnegie was the exemplary immigrant; rising from rags to riches, fulfilling the American Dream. He makes us, the Scottish immigrants of later years, look somewhat inadequate. Pity the Carnegie Museums and Carnegie- Mellon University are not also free to the people.

[Next »]