116 South Union Street | Olean, NY | (716)790-8004
Our History
About
We purchased The Old Library Restaurant in 2025, opening the doors at the end of the year with new food, cocktails, and ideas for this historic space. Because of the building's storied history and important place within the Olean community, we recognize that we are becoming stewards of something much larger than a restaurant. While introducing our own vision and menu, we remain committed to preserving the character, atmosphere, and quality that generations of guests have come to expect. Our goal is to honor the past while thoughtfully writing the next chapter of The Old Library's story.
1889-1909
A Gift to the Community
In 1889, prominent Olean attorney and oilman George V. Forman donated the property at 116 S Union St to the Olean Library Association. At the time, a residence containing Forman's law offices occupied the site. The building was soon adapted for use as a public library and became known as the Forman Library.
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For the next two decades, the Forman Library provided local residents with access to books, information, and learning opportunities during a period of tremendous growth in Western New York. As Olean continued to prosper, however, it became clear that the community had outgrown the modest structure.
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In 1909, the Forman Library was sold and carefully dismantled, a common practice of the era. Rather than being discarded, many of the building's materials were repurposed in the construction of local homes. Remarkably, several of those homes remain standing today, providing a tangible connection to this chapter of Olean's history.
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The removal of the Forman Library marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. Civic leaders and library supporters envisioned a building that would not only house books but also stand as a symbol of Olean's commitment to education, culture, and public life. Their efforts would soon lead to the construction of one of the city's most enduring landmarks.
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The story of The Old Library began with a community's belief that knowledge and public service deserved a permanent home.
1909-1974
Olean's Carnegie Library
The building that stands today owes its existence to a remarkable partnership between local leadership and one of America's greatest philanthropists.
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At the turn of the twentieth century, Mayor W.H. Mandeville began pursuing plans for a new public library. His efforts led him to Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist whose wealth helped fund thousands of libraries around the world. Carnegie believed that public libraries offered people the opportunity to improve themselves through education and self-directed learning. Between 1883 and 1929, he funded the construction of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide, including over 1,600 throughout the United States. When architect Edward L. Tilton of New York City unveiled plans for what many considered the grandest public building Olean had ever seen, Carnegie's original pledge of $25,000 was increased to $40,000.
Construction began on April 28, 1909, and just over a year later, on May 18, 1910, the new Carnegie Library officially opened its doors. It quickly became one of Olean's most recognizable landmarks. Its impressive architecture, rotunda, marble detailing, and carefully crafted interior reflected the civic pride of a community investing in its future. Citizens contributed furnishings and decorative elements, many of which remained in the building long after its days as a library had ended.
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By the 1970s, however, the library's success had created a new challenge. Olean's collection and services had outgrown the building's capacity. In 1974, the public library relocated to larger facilities, ending a chapter that had defined the building for more than six decades.
Although its original purpose had come to an end, the Carnegie Building's story was far from over.
1974 - Present
Preserving a Landmark
Following the departure of the public library in 1974, the future of the Carnegie Building was uncertain. For several years, the structure housed the Olean Historical Society and the Department of Aging, continuing its role as a public-serving institution. ​In 1982, a pivotal moment arrived when local businessman Louis Marra purchased the property from the Olean Board of Education. The acquisition ultimately saved the building from probable demolition and opened the door to a new chapter in its history.
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The transformation into The Old Library Restaurant was guided by a philosophy of preservation rather than replacement. No structural changes were made to the original library itself. When a new kitchen was added to the rear of the building, bricks were carefully sourced from the same Pennsylvania brickyard that had supplied materials for the original construction more than seventy years earlier.
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The renovation introduced modern conveniences while honoring the building's architectural heritage. The rotunda, bronze plaque honoring Andrew Carnegie, marble detailing, and the impressive Thorwaldsen frieze depicting Alexander's triumphal entry into Babylon were all preserved. An elevator and mezzanine dining area were added, allowing guests to enjoy the building from new perspectives while maintaining its historic integrity.
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Many of the furnishings that define The Old Library's unique atmosphere today were rescued from the former library itself. Additional antiques were acquired from local estates and carefully restored. Among the collection are decorative valances from the John Jewell estate, an early twentieth-century icebox from Dieteman's Soda Fountain in nearby Allegany, and a historic bar originally from Chicago's famed Cattleman's Restaurant.
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The building's significance was formally recognized in 1985 when it was listed on both the New York State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. These designations acknowledged not only the building's architectural beauty but also its importance to the history of Olean.
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We are proud to continue its story.