MOST SEATS ARE ORIGINAL TO THE BUILDING, BUT WILL BE RECEIVING AN UPGRADE SOON.

For more than 125 years, neighbors have strolled through Munhall to visit the handsome Carnegie of Homestead. Nestled in the hillside neighborhood, the library — one of the earliest funded by Andrew Carnegie — has been much more than a place for books; it is a center of the community. And that has included a role as a neighborhood concert hall, from the era when that meant orchestral performances all the way through to hosting Maria Bamford, Toto and John Hiatt (all coming soon).

Today, the concert venue — officially, the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall — helps support the library and its other offerings, including public programming and a low-cost fitness center (complete with a subterranean pool). The dozens of annual shows, mostly featuring touring bands and comedians, provide a source of revenue that has allowed the building to remain a community hub.

The Music Hall has endured because it looks and sounds excellent. The acoustically rich building allows sound to blanket the room, effortlessly bringing every seat into the show — and the compact layout, with a balcony so close that it seems to hang over the stage itself, makes every vantage point a good one. And soon, the seats themselves will receive a long-overdue upgrade; most are original to the building (yes, these are 125-year-old chairs), but a current campaign seeks to modernize them for comfort.

THE CARNEGIE OF HOMESTEAD WAS ONE OF THE EARLIEST LIBRARIES FUNDED BY ANDREW CARNEGIE.

In “The Gospel of Wealth,” Andrew Carnegie wrote that giving had to go beyond money, arguing “the best means of benefiting the community is to place within its reach the ladders upon which the aspiring can rise — free libraries, parks, and means of recreation, by which men are helped in body and mind.” The Carnegie of Homestead is one of the most lasting and efficient examples of that philosophy. The people, Carnegie argued, need enlightenment — whether that comes from a book or a stand-up comedian. (Stand-up comedy wouldn’t be invented for several decades, but we’re pretty sure he would’ve liked it.)

Insider’s Tip: There’s no parking lot at the Carnegie of Homestead, but street parking around the building is plentiful. Nervous about finding a spot? Arrive early and stroll the block or grab a pre-show drink — or make use of one of the venue’s bike racks.

While You’re Here: Looking to fill up before showtime? Golden Age Beer Co., located nearby on Eighth Avenue, has more than great brews; the tasty menu includes wood-fired pizza and wings. (The smash burger is good, too.) The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and until 7 p.m. on Sundays.