Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
The Karpeles Manuscript Library is the world’s largest private collection of original manuscripts and documents. The library was founded in 1983 by California real estate magnates David and Marsha Karpeles, with the goal of stimulating interest in learning, especially in children. All of the Karpeles Manuscript Library services are free.
To make the documents more accessible, there are several Karpeles museums across the US. Items are rotated between museums quarterly and each of the museums present a daily general exhibit and one or more special scheduled exhibits throughout the year. In addition, Karpeles is aggressively expanding the content of its website. Each of the libraries is located in a historic building.
In Buffalo, the Karpeles Museum consists of two separate buildings: (1) Porter Hall at 453 Porter Avenue at Jersey Street and Plymouth Avenue and (2) North Hall at 220 North Street at Elmwood Avenue. The Porter Hall was originally the Plymouth Methodist Church, while the North Hall was originally First Church of Christ, Scientist, built in 1911.
Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Charleston library is housed in a former Methodist church named St. James Chapel which was built in 1856. The building is in the Greek Revival style following the Corinthian order and was inspired by the Temple of Jupiter in Rome. During the Civil War Confederates used the building as a hospital and stored medical supplies there. Hurricane Hugo tore off the roof of the building and destroyed its interior on September 21, 1989. Following renovation, the building reopened on November 11, 1990.
The Duluth Museum 46°47′49″N 92°04′58″W / 46.79694°N 92.08278°W at 902 East 1st Street was originally First Church of Christ, Scientist, built in 1912. The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The museum is closed Mondays and Holidays.
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