Karpeles manuscript library museum windows#

The roof remains open to the elements, furthering deterioration.

No final plans were ever announced and today, the building is in peril, having stood vacant since March of 2019. Their plans for the interior were to either renovate the building into a large open space or to remove fire-damaged sections of the building and erect what would essentially comprise a new structure.

Karpeles manuscript library museum windows#

The Karpeles announced that they were looking into repairing the windows and roof. It was determined that the building was structurally sound and could be repaired. In March 2019 a fire swept through the building, and while firefighters were able to save most of the collection, the building was severely damaged. Louis Karpeles Manuscript Library opened in August of 2015, sharing its space with the St. Each museum additionally houses permanent collections focused on regionally specific items. Louis was the 13 th of the family’s museums and like the other museums, serves to house the family’s rotating collection. The museums project was initiated in 1983 by David and Martha Karpeles, wealthy California realtors who had amassed one of the largest private collections of original manuscripts covering topics from literature, science, religion, political history, art, and more.

In 2015, the building was acquired by the Karpeles family, which has established (to date) 17 museums across the country. The church later housed the New Paradise Missionary Baptist Church congregation. Louis’ historic Compton Heights neighborhood, was constructed in 1911 as the Third Church of Christ, Scientist.