Children’s Museum Proposes Expansion at Historic Downtown Medford Carnegie Library

Medford, Oregon- The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon has submitted plans for a major expansion to its downtown Medford campus, proposing a 13,927-square-foot, two-story addition to the historic Carnegie Library building located at 413 W. Main Street. The project, initiated by the Oregon Center for Creative Learning (OCCL), seeks to consolidate all museum operations under one roof while preserving the historic integrity of one of the city’s most prominent civic landmarks.

The proposed development includes a new building addition with a covered rooftop event space and site improvements throughout the 1.48-acre property. The site lies within the Central Business District and Historic Preservation Overlay and is zoned C-S/P (Service Commercial and Professional Offices). The expansion is designed to meet the growing needs of the museum and its related educational programs, including the Ivy School.

Currently, the site includes the main museum building (15,189 square feet), a pavilion structure (2,380 square feet), and a 404-square-foot historic maintenance building. With the new construction, the total developed square footage on site would increase to more than 31,000 square feet. The goal of the project is to consolidate all operations into a single facility by eliminating the need for leased space across Main Street and enhancing the museum’s educational offerings.

The expansion will include three preschool classrooms, administrative offices, additional museum program spaces, and flexible event areas. No new land uses are proposed; instead, the project expands and enhances existing educational functions. The museum currently offers more than 10,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and over an acre of outdoor learning space.

The historic Carnegie Library was constructed in 1911 and completed in 1912. Set back from Main Street and surrounded by mature landscaping, the building is recognized as the first permanent public library in Medford and the oldest publicly owned structure in the downtown core. It is an example of early 20th-century Classical Revival civic architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was later designated as a “Primary” resource within the Medford Downtown Commercial Historic District.

The library was expanded in 1951 with a utilitarian two-story addition that doubled its footprint. Renovations in 1982, 2008, and 2022 addressed evolving structural and functional needs. In 2019, the Children’s Museum began adapting the building for cultural and educational programming.

The proposed new construction will be located to the south of the existing building, with the 1951 addition in between the historic library and the new structure. The addition has been designed to respect the scale, massing, and architectural vocabulary of the Carnegie Library. It features a hip roof, cornice bands, and brick cladding compatible with the original structure, and incorporates design elements such as a patterned cornice inspired by the historic building’s detailing. While complementary, the new addition will remain clearly distinguishable from the historic structure, using modern materials and forms to avoid architectural mimicry.

The original 1912 library building will not be altered. All defining features, historic materials, and spatial relationships that contribute to its significance will be preserved. The design approach balances the preservation of the historic character with the functional needs of a growing cultural institution.

The site is bordered by West Main Street to the north, South Oakdale Avenue to the west, 8th Street to the south, and South Ivy Street to the east. Pedestrian access is provided from Main Street, and vehicle access is available from Ivy Street. A small parking area on the east side of the property includes ten spaces for staff, patrons, and service vehicles. The site is served by underground city utilities and includes extensive landscaping and fenced outdoor areas for play and learning.

The project represents the latest phase in the architectural evolution of the Carnegie Library, supporting its long-term stewardship and public use. The addition would enhance early childhood education capacity, provide more space for museum programming, and continue the building’s legacy as a civic and cultural hub in Medford’s downtown. The proposal is currently under review through the city’s pre-application process.