Chicago Public Library Design Competition, Chicago, Illinois, Perspective 1891

This is Peter Bonnett Wight's perspective drawing for the Chicago Public Library design competition. Rendered in ink on paper, the design reflects the architectural ambitions of a city rebuilding after the Great Fire of 1871. Wight's design, while ultimately not selected, speaks volumes about the cultural values and societal hierarchies of the late 19th century. Note the classical motifs, like the arched windows and ornate detailing, which position the library as a beacon of enlightenment and progress. Yet, this vision of progress was not universally shared. The grand scale and imposing facade suggest a space intended for a certain class, subtly excluding others. We might ask, whose stories are told within these walls, and whose are left out? While a public library ostensibly serves all, the architecture hints at deeper questions of access, privilege, and the politics of knowledge. It asks us to consider how spaces can both invite and exclude, shape and reflect our social realities.