Light, Legacy, and Lens: A Photographer’s Walk Through the St. Louis Central Library
There are buildings that you shoot because they’re beautiful, and then there are buildings that demand more from you—because they are stories, not just structures.
The St. Louis Central Library, opened in 1912 and designed by the legendary Cass Gilbert, is both a historic landmark and an architectural marvel. But what moved me most during this shoot wasn’t just the design—it was the quiet legacy woven into every room.
Here’s how I experienced some of the highlights.
The Great Hall – “Silence with a Voice”
This space is often called the “crown jewel” of the library—and rightly so. The gorgeous marble floor, coffered plaster ceiling and circular dome reflect a Beaux-Arts grandeur.
What most don’t know? The Great Hall’s design draws from Michelangelo’s Laurentian Library in Florence. Photographing it from below, I was struck by how light dances across gold leaf and marble, quietly elevating everyone who enters.
In the early 1900s, most libraries used closed stacks—you had to ask for books. But St. Louis was one of the first major libraries to allow open access to shelves. Revolutionary at the time, it showed deep trust in the public.
The Vaulted Ceilings – “Underground Elegance” (Lower Level Corridors)
These barrel-vaulted mosaic ceilings often surprise visitors. I learned they were restored during the 2012 renovation, after years of being hidden behind temporary drop ceilings.
Each marble step was quarried and set in 1912, worn smooth by over a century of movement. The staircase connects the Great Hall above and the vaulted corridors below.
The Stained Glass Windows – “Color That Carries Time”
Some of the stained glass windows date back over a century, each one honoring art, literature, or intellectual figures.
One stained glass windows features Shakespeare (not shown), casting multicolored light onto wooden tables. Photographing these felt less like capturing light and more like documenting living memory—color seeping through time.
The 2012 Modern Renovation & Addition “Restoring, Not Replacing”
The $70 million renovation, led by architect George Nikolajevich, did more than modernize—it reunited the original vision with new public purpose.
The Italian Renaissance-inspired façade is more than grand—it’s symbolic. Cass Gilbert modeled it after the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, signaling to St. Louisans that this was a place of serious learning.
I missed The Rare Books Room on this visit but I will want to see it next time. Inside this quiet room lies one of the library’s crown jewels: a First Folio of Shakespeare, plus incunabula and medieval manuscripts.
The St. Louis Central Library is more than just a beautiful building—it’s a space full of history, design, and quiet detail. If you haven’t visited, it’s worth the trip. And if you need a story told through architecture and light, I’d love to help.
#ArchitecturePhotography #HistoricPreservation #StLouis #CreativeSpaces #LibraryLife #Storytelling #CarnegieLibraries #VisualNarrative
Evan is a photographer based in Northern Nevada, known for aerial vistas and Sierra landscapes, astrophotography and a variety of commercial work. His work has been featured by the Guggenheim Museum, CBS Sunday Morning, and the United Nations.
Please follow me on LinkedIn or reach out via email evanp@aerial-imaging.com
