Library & Eagle's Nest Colony Art Collection
For the past nearly 100 years, the Oregon Public Library has been providing service to the Oregon area out of the same building. Constructed in 1909 with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, the Oregon Public Library was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Library Activities include afternoon and evening book discussion groups, Writer's Forum, Preschool Story Programs, Baby and Toddlertime, Craft Saturday, and a special themed Summer Reading Program.

Along with books, magazines, newspapers, videos, CD's and DVD's, the Oregon Public Library provides internet access, genealogy materials, and an art gallery.

For more information:
815-732-2724

Location
300 Jefferson Street
Oregon, IL. 61061

Hours
9 AM to t 8 PM, Monday-Thursday
9 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday
Closed Sundays.

The Eagle's Nest Colony Art Gallery
The Oregon Public Library's second floor is home to the Eagle's Nest Colony Art Collection-a historic treasure of paintings and sculpture from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Established in 1898 by famed sculptor Lorado Taft, the Eagle's Nest Colony members met each summer on the banks of the Rock River (in the area that is now Taft Campus). Artists, writers, musicians, playwrights and other talented individuals gathered to escape the city heat, enjoy the beautiful countryside and create.

Although highly influential in the Chicago area, these artists were eager to share their works with the local community of Oregon. They persuaded the architects of the Oregon Public Library to include plans for an art gallery-which they used for art showings and lectures. In 1918 the colony members began donating works of art for a permanent collection. By the time the last founding member of the Eagle's nest Colony had died (1942), the library was in possession of 31 paintings and 25 sculptures-most of which can be viewed during regular library hours.

For more information:
815-732-2724

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