Braddock Carnegie Library Celebrates Grand Reopening with Community Open House and Ceremony

The Braddock Carnegie Library Association (BCLA), U. S. Steel and the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted a grand reopening celebration for the Braddock Carnegie Library on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The celebration caps off a four-year renovation of the first Carnegie Library in the United States, a National Historic Landmark.

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Ribbon cutting at Carnegie One Library grand reopening event. From left to right: Pennsylvania State Senator Nick Pisciottano; Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato; Teddy Werner, Pittsburgh Penguins; Carnegie One Board of Trustees President Andrew McGhee; Carnegie One Executive Director Vicki Vargo; U. S. Steel President & CEO David Burritt; Allegheny Regional Asset District Board Chair Dusty Kirk; Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis; Pennsylvania State Representative Abigail Salisbury

The grand reopening marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of this historic institution which has served area residents across three centuries. The $21 million Carnegie One Capital Campaign has supported the renovation, which included much-needed physical and accessibility improvements to enable BCLA to better fulfill its mission as a responsive, essential place of community learning, development, and enrichment for its neighbors.

The celebration kicked off with performances from Woodland Hills High School jazz band and Cheryl Capezzuti’s Dancing Puppets, which led into the official ceremony and ribbon cutting. The program was emceed by Josh Getzoff from the Pittsburgh Penguins, and speakers included Lt. Governor Austin Davis, PA State Senator Nick Pisciottano, PA State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Teddy Werner from the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Honorary Campaign Co-Chair U. S. Steel President & CEO David B. Burritt, as well as representatives from the BCLA and the Regional Asset District.

“We are so grateful for the support from everyone who has been a part of getting the Library to this day – from our funders and community partners, to local, state, and federal elected officials and our patrons who have been an integral part of this project,” said Vicki Vargo, BCLA Executive Director. “The board and staff of the Library are ecstatic to share the renovated, accessible space with our community. It is truly a monumental milestone in the building’s 136-year history.”