Downtown Minot is currently a mass of construction, detours and not exactly the easiest place to navigate, but nestled amidst all of that is the Carnegie Center, a century-old building full of charm, style and open to the public to use for special events.

Built in 1911 with funds provided by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Center in Minot served as the Minot Public Library until the current library was built in 1965. The building fell into near total disrepair until about 1978, when a nonprofit association agreed to take on the task of renovation and operation. It was restored and renamed the Carnegie Center and opened in 1986. The city of Minot currently owns the center, but is leasing it to a nonprofit group. The group is comprised of four board members and a few other volunteers.

The Carnegie Center is available for all and any special events such as weddings, wedding rehearsals, wedding rehearsal dinners, church services, baby or wedding showers, piano recitals, catered dinner events, luncheons, holiday parties, business meetings, musical presentations and anything else.

Nan Jacobson, treasurer of the board for the Carnegie Center, said the rental fee for people to use the center is the most reasonable in the city. The price varies depending on the block of hours needed, but people wanting to see the Carnegie Center for an event can call 839-1993 to arrange a tour. Usually when a person wants to hold an event there, the time slot is open, added Scott Bexell, president of the Carnegie Center board.

The atmosphere of the Carnegie Center boasts original woodwork in excellent condition, a brick fireplace, a baby grand piano, an elevator and much more. The space can accommodate up to 125 people.

There have been numerous improvements made to the Carnegie Center recently. Bexell said they have new walls, a new roof, new lights, installed an elevator, redone the kitchen and floors, upgraded plumbing and electricity, installed air conditioning, all of the woodwork has been stripped and refurbished and the white paint from the exterior has been stripped.

Money raised to make such improvements was done by board members, but the city of Minot donated money after the 2011 flood, Bexell said.

However, all of this is not to say that the Carnegie Center is doing fine financially or even managing to swim with the big fish. Jacobson said the income from event rentals barely covers the utilities and upkeep of the building. The Carnegie Center pays for all of the utilities, insurance and repairs and the remaining money goes toward the restoration of the building, she added. “We have no grants now, just rentals of the facilities,” Jacobson said, noting that there had previously been a volunteer grant writer.

Jacobson said they would like to receive donations for building repairs. It’s a totally all volunteer organization, she added.

Volunteers are also needed to do yard and lawn work, snow removal, window cleaning and help with cleaning the interior. The Carnegie Center could also use a carpet layer and carpet cleaning donations as well as supplies, such as paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, dish cloths and dish towels. “We need a volunteer grant writer, too,” Jacobson added.

People interested in volunteering or donating can call 839-1993. Since the Carnegie Center is a nonprofit organization, all monetary donations are tax deductible.

Along with Bexell and Jacobson, the other two board members are Don Caldwell, vice president, and Linda Love, secretary. Bexell has been involved with the Carnegie Center since 1981, Love since about 1984, Caldwell since 1986 and Jacobson since 1998.

Bexell said he wanted to get involved with the Carnegie Center because he’s interested in the welfare of the building. “I think we’ve torn down too many historic buildings downtown,” he said. Bexell also said he remembers coming to the Carnegie Center when he was in high school. “It’s a nice building for the city,” he added.

Jacobson has an interest in historical buildings as well. “I’m not from here, but I bought a home in Eastwood Park that’s on the historical registry,” she said. “I have a love for historical buildings.” Jacobson said her house in Eastwood Park was flooded in 2011 and since she lost that home, the Carnegie Center is now the only historical building she is involved with. “I like helping people plan events,” she continued. “I have such a love for people and getting to know those (people who are) having events here and that does my heart good.”

“And I’m interested in the building itself,” Caldwell added.

The Carnegie Center is listed on the National Historic Registry. Jacobson said she has had excellent response from the public about the building. “We all love this building,” she added.

Caldwell does all of the mowing and snow removal, and opens and closes the center for all of the events.

Bexell does a lot of the repair work that is needed and that the center can afford.

“Donations would be greatly appreciated,” Jacobson said.

There have been a lot of events at the Carnegie Center, Jacobson said. There are a lot in September as well as events that are already planned for next May, she added.

“We welcome the public to use the Carnegie Center for events,” Caldwell said.

“It’s the perfect location for your every occasion,” Jacobson added.