Faribault in Rice County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Buckham Memorial Library

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

1. Buckham Memorial Library Marker (left panel)

Inscription.
Anna Mallory Buckham
Anna had Buckham Memorial Library built in honor of her husband with the hope that the memorial "Be a benefit and pleasure to those now living here and those who shall come after them." The 1929 library is a focal point of downtown and has served as an inspiration to many over the years.

Thomas Scott Buckham
Buckham was not only the First Superintendent of Schools, District Court Judge, and Faribault’s second mayor, but a Greek scholar interested in the arts. The library's design reflects this in its Greek murals, an extensive art collection, a reading room and a Great Hall for public gatherings.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 44° 17.558′ N, 93° 16.096′ W. Marker is in Faribault, Minnesota, in Rice County. Marker is at the intersection of 2nd Street Northeast and Central Avenue North, on the right when traveling west on 2nd Street Northeast. Marker is mounted on a bench at the northeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Central Avenue North, Faribault MN 55021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Faribault's Talented Artisans (here, next

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to this marker); Bishop Whipple & St. Mary's School for Girls (a few steps from this marker); Faribault: Home of the Tilt-A-Whirl (within shouting distance of this marker); Tilt-A-Whirl (within shouting distance of this marker); Farmer Seed & Nursery 1888 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brand Nursery of Faribault (about 400 feet away); Pirkl Implement (about 400 feet away); Faribault W.P.A. Projects (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Faribault.

Regarding Buckham Memorial Library. National Register of Historic Places #82003008.

From the National Register nomination:
The library was designed by Charles Buckham of Vermont, a nephew of the man it commemorates. The building is Art Deco in massing and feeling with a late Gothic Revival influence. The building is constructed of dolomite limestone quarried near Kasota, Minnesota; wall surfaces are smooth, and ornamentation is in low relief.
The tall central tower is the dominant element of the design; tower features include a large arched stained-glass
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

2. Buckham Memorial Library Marker (right panel)
window at the front second story level (designed by Charles Connick of Boston), a clock on the north, and paired arched openings on all sides.
The interior retains the original woodwork, many of the furnishings, and four murals depicting Greek culture in the fourth century B.C. (painted by former Carleton College art professor Alfred J. Hyslop). The building continues to serve its original purpose and houses the Faribault Public Library.

Also see . . . Thomas Scott Buckham Memorial Library.

The public library as a tax-supported institution in Faribault dates from 1897, when it was housed in the City Hall building. Mrs. Anna Buckham gave the Thomas Scott Buckham Memorial Library building to the City of Faribault in memory of her husband. The cornerstone was laid in September 1929, and dedication of the building took place on July 20, 1930.

(Submitted on December 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Buckham Memorial Library image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Buckham Memorial Library

Buckham Memorial Library Bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

4. Buckham Memorial Library Bench

(looking north along Central Avenue North from 2nd Street Northeast)

Thomas Scott Buckham Memorial Library (<i>north/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

5. Thomas Scott Buckham Memorial Library (north/front elevation)

(located 2 blocks south of this marker on Central Avenue at Division Street)

Buckham Memorial Library National Register Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

6. Buckham Memorial Library National Register Plaque

The City of Faribault
and the Heritage Preservation Commission
identify this historic building as a National Register
of Historic Places property representing the
Civic Development of Faribault

Thomas Scott Buckham Memorial Library
1930

Buckham Memorial Library Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

7. Buckham Memorial Library Cornerstone

Presented by
Anna M. Buckham
to the
City of Faribault
A.D. 1929

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.