The architecture of the building was designed to mimic a medieval church both inside and out, and the structure creates a dominating and fascinating location for the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.

The rough textured building contrasts with its vibrant red roof tiles and 25 foot picture windows.

[19] At the present time the museum supports seventeen elementary, junior and high schools in Duluth, the Twin Cities area and also now in Wisconsin and Canada.

[19] The documents and manuscripts are specially chosen to supplement school curriculum and matters of topical interest and are also on display at two local colleges and three public libraries.

[19] The museum building in Rock Island was originally First Church of Christ, Scientist, built in 1896 in the Broadway Historic District.

Among those items on permanent display in the museum is an original Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence, a replica of the globe used by Columbus (sans the Western Hemisphere), handwritten scores by a dozen leading composers, and the computer guidance system used on the first Apollo lander flight to the Moon.

An original map of Alvin, TX, can be found as part of the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum’s collection.

[citation needed] The Karpeles Manuscript Library also hosts a Museum in their corporate office close to Orlando, Florida.

[citation needed] This museum's building is the former Holy Innocents Church that was built in 1902, which was replaced with the current structure completed in 1925.

[citation needed] Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Charleston was housed in the former St. James Chapel, a Methodist church built in 1856.

[citation needed] The Fort Wayne location provided an educational outreach program in the form of mini-museum displays that were set up in local schools and maintained by museum staff.

[citation needed] The Jacksonville Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum was located in the former First Church of Christ, Scientist building, a 1921 neoclassical structure in the Springfield neighborhood.

[28] It housed the Dona McPhillips Historical Painting Series, which includes many portraits of famous Americans grouped together as "Founding Fathers", "Civil War Union", "Civil War Confederates", "Indian Heroes", "More Indian Heroes", "Pathfinders", "Texas", "Blacks", "Pioneers" and "Women".

"[30] On March 26, 2019, a three alarm fire broke out at the museum causing considerable damage, mostly to the roof and the back of the building.

About 80 firefighters were dispatched to the scene to fight the fire and haul out historic pieces such as old wooden ships and statues.

[34] The Tacoma location permanently closed in January 2024 and the building was sold to the Garden City Covenant Church.