Detroit Public Library - Main Branch

Designed by Cass Gilbert, the Main Library opened on March 29, 1921 as an Italian Renaissance "temple to arts and letters", partly funded by an Andrew Carnegie gift. Inside, the marble entrance hall, the Double-Grand staircase and its barrel-vaulted painted ceiling, the murals framing the doorways, the painted windows of Adam Strohm Hall and the 1919 Pewabic fireplace reward a slow walk. Art and architecture tours run the third Sunday of each month, October through May, at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.