Muncie, Ind. — If you’ve ever found yourself in downtown Muncie on the corner of East Jackson Street and South Jefferson Street, you’ve probably seen the Muncie Carnegie Library. While it may seem like an ordinary library, there are many hidden stories inside its walls waiting to be discovered and read by readers.
Many of Muncie's genealogy records and local history can be found on the bookshelves of this historic building. But the question is, what sorts of lost stories are waiting to be found in the library? Well, the library doesn’t simply hold its stories in its books, but also in its walls. One fascinating story was discovered when it was being renovated in the early 2000s.
“They found in one of the walls, tucked above a fireplace, a leather workman’s boot. They found that there was this old superstitious practice of putting shoes in the walls of buildings to protect them from evil spirits,” Library Manager for the Carnegie Library, Sara McKinely, said. She also works as an archivist, reviewing artifacts donated to the library.
However, stories such as this are not few and far between. They can be found on the bookcases and displays in the library. Each of these has its own story to tell, with the ability to spark the imagination of visitors.
“Even if they might not have an interest in local history, sometimes just coming in and checking it out can spark that little bit of an interest. We like to see that happen in people who come and visit the building,” local History and Genealogy Specialist for the Muncie Public Library, Jared Brown, said.
The spark of interest is important to ensure that this library is here to stay for many years to come. This year is quite significant to the Muncie Library system as a whole.
“Because this is our sesquicentennial, our 150th anniversary for Muncie Public Library. We do have on our website a link to a digital exhibit that we created that talks about the entire 150-year history of MPL,” McKinley said.
Muncie Public Library also has many events planned for its celebration this year, including its Eggcellent Celebration Egg Hunt, which will take place later this month on April 19.
Now you know that Muncie’s Carnegie Library doesn’t just hold books and artifacts. It keeps the stories and lives of those who once called Delaware County home.
Contact Dylan Chesnut with comments at dylan.chesnut@bsu.edu.
