- 1881
- Andrew Carnegie offers the mayor of Pittsburgh $250,000 for a free library if the city appropriates $15,000 annually for maintenance, but the city cannot accept because Pennsylvania tax laws do not provide for the maintenance of a library.
- 1886
- The city passes appropriate legislation allowing Pittsburgh to accept the gift; the mayor and city officials are invited to serve as board members.
- 1887
- Enabling legislation passed by Commonwealth.
- 1890
- Carnegie offers not less than $1,000,000 because of growth in city population, but asks the city to commit $40,000 per annum for maintenance; the city accepts these terms.
- 1891
- City passes ordinance designating 19 acres of the new Schenley Park as the Library's location.
- 1892
- Construction of Library begins.
- 1895
- Library and Music Hall dedicated on November 5;
Carnegie promises to add a Department of Fine Arts and a Museum.- William Nimik Frew appointed first President.
- 1896
- Carnegie gives endowment of $1,000,000 to form the new departments--The Carnegie Institute.
- First Carnegie International exhibition, thereafter held regularly throughout the century.
- 1898
- Lawrenceville Branch opens, first of 18.
- 1900
- Carnegie endows Technical School with $1,000,000 gift, and asks board of Institute
to manage it as a department.- 1904
- Replica of Diplodocus carnegii sent to British Museum (first of nine sent to great world museums).
- 1907
- Building is expanded and dedicated on April 11, 12 and 13.
- Architecture Hall, with one of the world's finest collections of architectural replicas, opens,
as does the Hall of Sculpture.- 1911
- Encyclopedia Britannica uses the building to define modern museum facilities.
- 1914-1943
- Samuel Harden Church, President.
- 1916
- Music Hall, originally under the direction of the Library, transferred to the Institute for control.
- 1923
- Saturday Art Classes begin.
- 1927
- Carnegie Magazine begins publishing.
- 1939
- Carnegie Institute of Technology (today's Carnegie Mellon University)
becomes independent of Carnegie Institute.- 1943-1948
- William Frew, President.
- 1946
- Travel Film Series begins.
- 1948-1967
- James M. Bovard, President.
- 1956
- Powdermill Nature Reserve becomes a natural history research station.
- Library begins Allegheny County services.
- 1968-1984
- James M. Walton, President.
- 1970
- Section of Film and Video begins in Museum of Art.
- 1973
- Carnegie Institute launches first Capital Campaign.
- 1974
- Sarah Scaife Gallery of Museum of Art opens; volunteer staff organized.
- 1975
- Heinz Galleries for Changing Exhibitions open.
- 1976
- Alisa Mellon Bruce Galleries for Decorative Arts open.
- 1980
- Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems opens.
- 1984-1992
- Robert C. Wilburn, President.
- 1985
- Carnegie One Hundred Committee of community advisors initiates major planning effort.
- 1986
- "The Carnegie" name is adopted by the institution, the School of The Carnegie begins educational programs; Carnegie on Tap programs begin, and Performing Arts department is started.
- 1987
- Buhl Science Center merges with The Carnegie; Noble Quartet sculptures on Forbes Avenue restored, and "Tell the President" campaign of receiving public opinions and complaints begins.
- 1989
- Cleaning and restoration of building exterior begins.
- 1991
- Carnegie Science Center opens.
- 1992
- Konrad M. Weis elected first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Institute.
- 1993-
- Ellsworth H. Brown, President.
- 1993
- Heinz Architectural Center opens in Museum of Art.
- 1994
- The Andy Warhol Museum opens.
- Sarah Scaife Galleries redesigned.
