The Karpeles Manuscript Library is the world’s largest private collection of original manuscripts and documents.[1] The library was founded in 1983 by California real estate magnates, David and Marsha Karpeles, with the goal of stimulating interest in learning, especially in children.[2][3] All of the Karpeles Manuscript Library services are free.[4]
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To make the documents more accessible, there are ten Karpeles museums across the US. Items are rotated between museums quarterly and each of the museums present a daily general exhibit and one or more special scheduled exhibits throughout the year. In addition, Karpeles is aggressively expanding the content of its website.[5] Each of the libraries is located in an historic building.
The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Jacksonville is located in the former First Church of Christ, Scientist building, a 1921 neoclassical structure in the Springfield neighborhood. Most residents have never even heard of, let alone visited, Karpeles, but many of their children have.[6] There is also an antique-book library, with volumes dating from the late 1800s, and a children's center.
The Duluth Museum is housed in an old Christian Scientist Church built in 1912.[7]
The Charleston library is housed in an 1856 building that is a copy of the Temple of Jupiter in Rome. It was built as a Methodist church.
The Buffalo museum building was originally a Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science Church) built in 1911. Part of the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum's facade fell off on the southeast side of the building on February 18, 2008 but no one was hurt.
Kapeles Manuscript Museum, Fort Wayne, is housed in a domed church built in 1940 as the First Church of God. It is located at 3039 Piqua Ave. The Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 to 4. The museum houses a rotating collection of unique documents and artifacts. The collection's caliber and breadth are the direct result of the efforts of David and Marsha Karpeles. The museum provides an educational outreach program in the form of mini-museum displays that are set up in local school buildings and maintained by museum staff.