Restoration plans begin with the historic Carnegie Library building

Since acquiring in September 2024 the historic Carnegie Library building, located at 318 N. 13th St., and the former studio and offices of KFSM, new owner Diana Sims has begun assessing what needs to be done.

Some needs are obvious. The soffit that was damaged in a windstorm has been repaired. The roof is being checked for a rumored leak. The pigeons nesting in the eaves are being excluded. After that, Sims will clear the building of unwanted items left by previous occupants – office furniture, outdated studio equipment. Conversations are ongoing with KFSM, the current tenant.

In time, the real work will begin. Modern additions will be removed, or updated with an eye toward historical accuracy.

“I’ll start by pulling the wiring out,” said Sims. “Taking the drop ceiling out, revealing the original coffered beams.”

Arches and plaster hide behind modern dry wall. Gray utility carpet, which covers tile mosaics and glass-block flooring, will be removed after any painting is complete. The rotunda skylight, obscured by pop-art plastic lighting, will be rediscovered.

“It’s a case of ‘out with the new,’” said Sims.

The ultimate goal, the details of which are still taking shape, is to document the history of the building. This includes its original purpose as well as its more recent history, which she considers equally important to the story. Displays are likely to include Donrey Media Group and KFSM, the television operation that occupied the building between 1969 and 2019.

Sims is grateful for the public response that followed the news of her acquisition. The stories shared by former patrons help guide her efforts.

“There aren’t many photos of the interior, so when somebody tells me, ‘I remember sitting on that window ledge, I remember the folding chairs,’ that helps me know where to look. It helps me make decisions about what to do,” Sims said.

The shared memories may become part of the finished product.

“With their permission, I want to put together a booklet of memories,” said Sims, who can be reached at [email protected].

A native of Waldron, Ark., Sims received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Ouachita Baptist University before taking a job with a “Big Eight” accounting firm in Kansas City. Her work eventually led her to Tulsa, a city recognized for its historic architecture, where she began restoring homes. A job offer from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, where she teaches accounting, brought her to Fort Smith in 1981.

As owner of the Kress Building, the Thomas Quinn Guest House, and the Carnegie Library, Sims want to help revitalize the downtown Fort Smith area.

“I don’t put a lot of money into me,” said Sims. “I’d rather put it into buildings.”

The 501(c)(3) non-profit Saving Historic Places has grown up around her efforts. Like the restoration projects, it is a work in progress. Sims is creating a PowerPoint to present to civic leaders and potential donors. She is exploring the idea of including the Carnegie Library property on the National Register of Historic Places, which would open the door to federal grant money.

She is trying to confirm a rumor that the Carnegie Library staircase was originally part of the home of Judge Isaac Parker, which stood on the same property before a tornado destroyed it. If true, this detail could strengthen her registry efforts.

A formal plan is taking shape. Having served until now as a de facto general contractor, Sims is ready to pass the baton.

“I am about to turn it over to a general contractor. School is starting. Tax season is starting. I am going to have to divide my time. I can do it. It may not be done in six months,” she said.