The historic building was designed by Whitfield & King and donated to the university by Andrew Carnegie.

The new wing became the reading room and contained plaques dedicated to 102 Tufts students and alumni who lost their lives during World War II.

The New York firm Whitfield & King designed the building in a neoclassical style with red brick walls, elaborate marble columns and trim.

The main entrance displays an imposing pediment supported by four Corinthian columns and elevated on a marble slab.

The grand staircase led to a second floor with six spaces for special collections and two archivist offices.

The addition, later built in 1949–50, was designed by Arland A. Dirlam to match the style of the original section.