The building
A century of stories on Main Street.
Before it became a restaurant, this landmark welcomed Carmel readers, public servants and neighbors through its doors.
The Carnegie years
Built for the life of a growing town.
Constructed in 1913 and dedicated in 1914, the building opened as Carmel’s public library. An $11,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation made the project possible.
Andrew Carnegie helped fund roughly 3,000 libraries worldwide. The first Carnegie library opened in Scotland in 1883; Carmel’s became part of that remarkable effort to put books and gathering places within reach of more communities.
Timeline
From library to local table.
- 1913
Construction begins on Carmel’s new public library.
- 1914
The library is dedicated and opened with an $11,000 Carnegie Corporation grant.
- Until 1970
The building serves as Carmel’s public library.
- 1972–1989
The Town of Carmel uses the building for official offices and a courthouse.
- May 1998
The building opens its next chapter as Woodys Library Restaurant.
Still serving Carmel
The purpose changed. The welcome remained.
For more than a century, this building has been a place for the community to gather. Since 1998, Woodys has carried that tradition forward over lunch, dinner and a drink downstairs.