Buckham Memorial Library Faribault's Treasure Trove

KDHL broadcast AM Minnesota today from Buckham Memorial Library in downtown Faribault.

Delane James, Director, gave us a tour of the building on the National Register of Historic Places. The cornerstone was placed September 1929. It was dedicated in the summer of 1930.

Manger Scene on Grounds of Buckham Library. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld

Anna Buckham purchased the land and donated $100,000 to the City of Faribault for the library building in memory of her husband Thomas Scott Buckham who passed away in 1928 at age 92.

Mr. Buckham was the first President of the Public Library holding the position for approximately 30 years.

Ten Commandments Monument on Buckham Memorial Library grounds. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld

Thomas was born in Vermont. Anna born in New York.

The couple are buried in Green-Wood cemetary in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Upon his death Mr. Buckham was buried in Vermont. His body was moved to be next to his wife in August 1938.

Anna Buckham died at age 96 in 1935. Both passed in Faribault.

A Reading Section at Buckham Library Faribault. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld

Faribault had a public library in City Hall since 1897. Anna Buckham wanted the building architecture to be Greek because her husband enjoyed Greek literature.

Thomas moved to Faribault, Mn. in 1857 (age 21) to set up a law office. His most famous case was undoubtedly defending the Younger Brothers after they allegedly robbed the First National Bank in Northfield in 1876.

In 1880 he was appointed a judge. Buckham was the first Superintendent of the Rice County Schools. He was Faribault's second Mayor (1873). Appointed to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents where he served for 12 years.

Buckham also served in the Minnesota Legislature in 1874 and 1875.

Anna and Tom married in 1866 after a long letter courtship. They had a stillborn daughter in 1869 which led to medical complications for Anna so they had no children.

The architect for the library was the nephew of the couple, Charles Buckham of Vermont.

Friends of the Library are working on enhancing the lighting for the stain glass window on the building below the clock tower.

Stained Glass Window Buckham Memorial Library. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld

While I was visiting with James a 3D printer was making a name plate of our KDHL logo which I am going to add to our studio door.

They have a 3D Printing Club at Buckham Memorial Library.

3D Printer at Buckham Memorial Library Faribault. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld

Did you know you can check out a WiFi Hotspot for a week? Obtain a Minnesota State Parks Library Pass good for 7 days free access to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.

Since January of 2022 Buckham Memorial Library has been a fine-free library. James indicated the move was a positive one for the library with membership growing.

We got details about the various Youth Book Clubs including a lot of participation by teens.

Buckham has free homework help live online. Their adventure kits are a hit. The black items on the shelf are ukuleles available for checkout. They even have a Ukulele Club.

Ukuleles are in the black bags on the shelf available to check out. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld

Other adventure kits include bird watching, disc golf, yoyo, juggline, knitting, button making, puzzles and scores more.

Live help is available for people to find their VA benefits.

The Buckham Memorial Library catalog is now mobile.