Centralia Library Digitization Project
Although not an archive, many Timberland libraries house unique local history material including historical photographs, newspapers, files about local persons and events, historic maps, photographs, original manuscripts, yearbooks, and other special collections.
The historical photos below document the Centralia library from its earliest days through its first major renovation in the late 1970s. They are the result of a project completed in 2015 that explored the possibility of digitizing local historical material order to increase public knowledge of these items and improve their accessibility.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. View is of the local history room. Photograph includes -- Librarian: Marian Osterby ; Board Chairman: Rosanne Bridgham. "Hillstrom photo, "Local History Room", 1978".
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. View from the reference area facing towards the circulation desk and children's area. "Hillstrom photo, 1978".
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. View from the children's area facing towards the circulation desk and reference area. "Hillstrom photo, 1978".
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. Depicts two men seated in the fireplace and reading area. "Hillstrom photo, 1978".
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. Depicts 4 children reading books and searching the children's book shelves. "Hillstrom photo, 1978".
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. Depicts a child playing with wooden blocks in the children's area. "Hillstrom photo, 1978".
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library. Photograph includes 1 woman and 3 children. Caption on back of photo: "Carnegie Library Centralia, WA circa 1947?".
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library.
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library and the City Park. Includes 2 male figures. Circa 1920s or 1930s.
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia Timberland Library. Photograph includes view of George Washington Park. Note on reverse "1978". Caption on back of photo: "Remodeled Centralia Timberland Library 1978 George Washington Park Centralia, WA". "Harry Hillstrom 1978 for free lance article". "Bischoff/Cox Photography. Reference no. 124-5-1".
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia Timberland Library. Includes view of George Washington Park.Caption on back of photo: "Hillstrom photo, 1978". Photograph was taken of the library after the renovation.
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library.
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library and George Washington Park. Circa 1970s. Caption on back of photo: "Gary Roberson -- Centralia Library".
Early 20th century postcard. Black and white photograph of the City Park (George Washington Park) in Centralia, Washington. Text on front of postcard: "City Park, Centralia, Wash. 16657".
Early 20th century postcard. Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library and George Washington Park. Text on front of postcard: "No 33 Public library & park Centralia Wash.".
Two black and white photographs of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library. One photograph is an image of the original building, prior to renovation. The second photograph is an image of the library after the renovation.
Black and white photograph of the exterior south wall of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library in 1976.
West entrance (Silver St.) to the old Centralia Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the exterior detail of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the exterior detail of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library in 1976. Caption on back of photo: "Dorian Smith photo, 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Unknown female staff person sits at a typewriter Centralia Public Library, circa 1960s.
Interior of the Centralia Public Library in 1959.
Children seated outdoors for Storytime, led by Librarian Mary Stough in 1959.
Children seated for what appears to be Storytime at the Centralia Public Library in 1956.
Children seated for what appears to be Storytime at the Centralia Public Library in 1956.
Children seated for Storytime at the Centralia Public Library in 1958.
Children seated for Storytime at the Centralia Public Library in 1955.
Color photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library in 1951.
Early [19th or 20th century] postcard. Color photograph of the City Park (George Washington Park) in Centralia, Washington.
Librarian, Marian Osterby is standing at the circulation desk during the dedication ceremony for the renovated Centralia Timberland Library in September 17, 1978. .
the dignitaries and guests at the Dedication ceremony for the renovated Centralia Timberland Library. September 17, 1978.
Color photograph of the dignitaries at the dedication ceremony for the renovated Centralia Timberland Library. September 17, 1978.
Children seated outdoors for Storytime, led by Librarian Mary Stough at the Centralia Public Library in 1959.
Children seated outdoors for what appears to be Storytime, led by Librarian Mary Stough at the Centralia Public Library in 1959.
Children seated outdoors for Storytime, led by Librarian Mary Stough at the Centralia Public Library in 1959.
Children seated outdoors for Storytime, led by Librarian Mary Stough at the Centralia Public Library in 1959.
Black and white photograph of children in front of The Sentinel (statue) in George Washington Park (Centralia, Washington). Circa mid 1950's to mid 1960's.
Black and white photograph of children in front of The Sentinel (statue) in George Washington Park
(Centralia, Washington). Circa mid 1950's to mid 1960's.
A black and white photographic reproduction of a bulletin board display. The bulletin board depicts buildings, birds, and people on a magic carpet with the words "A Book Can Be a Magic Carpet". Photo imprint date: FEB 1961.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
The study seating area of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
The interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the Children's Room at the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the basement of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the Librarian's office at the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976, prior to the renovation.
Centralia Timberland Library staff, Helga Holmes, seated at desk in 1976.
Two Library staff standing behind circulation counter. Betty Champlin, TRL artist & Marian Osterby, Centralia Librarian in Centralia Library. Summer 1970.
Black and white photograph of the Librarian's office & staff bathroom at Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library at the foot of the stairs in 1976.
Two Centralia Timberland Library staff seated at desks. L-R: Sue Whitham & Dorothy Halliday. Spring 1970
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
The dignitaries at the dedication ceremony for the renovated Centralia Timberland Library on September 17, 1978.
The dignitaries at the dedication ceremony for the renovated Centralia Timberland Library on September 17, 1978.
Wooden sculpture, designed and carved by Allen Van Hoecke, who donated this sculpture to the Centralia Public Library.
National Guard Volunteers and library staff setting up shelving in the temporary library building for the upcoming renovation of the Centralia Carnegie Library in 1977.
National Guard Volunteers and library staff in 1977 unloading library shelving from a large truck. in preparation for the upcoming renovation of the Centralia Carnegie Library.
National Guard Volunteers and library staff in 1977 unloading library shelving from a large truck in preparation for the upcoming renovation of the Centralia Carnegie Library.
National Guard Volunteers and library staff unloading library shelving from a large truck in preparation for the upcoming renovation of the Centralia Carnegie Library. 1977.
National Guard Volunteers and library staff unloading library shelving from a large truck in 1977, in preparation for the upcoming renovation of the Centralia Carnegie Library.
National Guard Volunteers and library staff loading boxes of library material into a large truck. for the upcoming renovation of the Centralia Carnegie Library in 1977.
National Guard Volunteers and library staff loading boxes of library material into a large truck in preparation for the Centralia Carnegie Library renovation in 1977.
Aerial view of the architect's model for the Centralia Library renovation in 1976.
Color photo of an aerial view of the architect's model for the Centralia Library renovation in 1976.
Color photo of an aerial view of the architect's model for the Centralia Library renovation in 1976.
Aerial view of the architect's model for the Centralia Library renovation in 1976.
Color photograph of the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library in the 1980s, after the renovation.
Memorial plaque for George Washington (Founder of Centralia, Washington) in 1976.
Color photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library.
The exterior of the Centralia Public Library in the 1970s.
Interior of the Centralia Timberland Library as it's being prepared for the upcoming renovation in 1977.
Gazebo in the City Park (George Washington Park), Centralia, Washington in 1976.
Magazine storage & Film department at Centralia Timberland Library in 1976
Downstairs area of Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
"Bookmobile office" located in the basement of Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Reference area at Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Interior of the Centralia Timberland Library, main area upstairs in 1976.
The exterior of the Centralia Public Library. View is of the Silver St. entrance on the west side of the library in 1976.
exterior of the Centralia Public Library. View is of the Silver St. entrance on the west side of the library in 1976.
The exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library in 1976.
Children's Room at Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
2 children standing in the downstairs hallway at Centralia Timberland Library in 1976.
Bars on windows after 2 break-ins at Centralia Timberland Library in the late 1970's.
Magazine storage & Film department at Centralia Timberland Library in 1976
Repair-in-progress of Centralia Public Library's earthquake damaged interior in 1949.
In-progress repair of Centralia Public Library's earthquake damaged interior in 1949.
Centralia Public Library's earthquake damaged interior brick facade in 1949.
Exterior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1978.
Centralia Public Library's earthquake damaged interior in 1949.
Exterior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1978.
View of the circulation desk at Centralia Timberland Library in 1987.
Dedication ceremony for the renovated Centralia Timberland Library on September 17, 1978.
The exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library and George Washington Park in 1976.
View from the children's area facing towards the circulation desk and reference area at Centralia Timberland Library, circa 1978.
A patron sitting/reading in the fireplace and reading area at Centralia Timberland Library, circa 1978.
The exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library and George Washington Park. Circa 1920s.
Early 20th century postcard showing the exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library and George Washington Park.
Circulation area at Centralia Timberland Library, circa 1978.
The exterior of the Centralia Public Library in 1976. View is of the Silver St. entrance on the west side of the library.
Art gallery at Centralia Timberland Library, circa 1978.
Fireplace and children's area at Centralia Timberland Library, circa 1978.
The exterior of the Centralia (Washington) Carnegie Public Library, George Washington Park, and The Sentinel (statue).
Black and white photograph of the exterior of the Centralia Timberland Library in 1978.
Close-up view of wooden bookshelf at Centralia Timberland Library, circa 1978.
Black and white photograph of the interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. View is of the local history room, circa 1978.
Centralia Timberland Library's playground and George Washington Park in 1978.
Centralia Public Library Librarian, Barbara Bruhns in mid 1950's.
Centralia Public Library staff. Dorothy Halliday ; Mary Stough 16mm film service, circa mid 1950s.
Black and white photograph of Centralia Public Library Librarian looking at film projector, circa mid 1950s.
Barbara Bruhns, Head Librarian., circa mid 1950s".
Janice Martin, Barbara Bruhns". "Chronicle Staff Photograph", circa mid 1950s.
Centralia Public Library Librarian, Rosanne Bridgham, circa mid 1950s
Interior of the Centralia Timberland Library. View from upstairs looking down on the main staircase in 1978.
Centralia Timberland Library interior view, main staircase, circa 1978.