Buckham Memorial Library Tour

Transcription

1 Buckham Memorial Library Tour Buckham Center, Downtown Faribault, MN

2 Judge Thomas Scott Buckham Anna Mallary Buckham Judge Buckham was the son of a Scottish minister, born in Vermont. In 1857 he met Anna, and then moved to MN with $200 of gold in his pocket. The couple wrote letters to one another for 10 years before marrying in Before becoming a judge, Buckham Anna Buckham had this library built as a memorial to her husband, Judge Buckham, to carry on his core values of education and promotion of the arts. worked for the U.S. Land Office in Faribault, became an attorney, and defended the outlaw Jesse James. Anna and Thomas both loved the arts. Anna studied music and Thomas studied Greek culture, particularly Greek art. His love of the Greek culture is reflected in the design of the Buckham Library. Judge Buckham was very frugal, the couple never had a home. While Anna was in the East for years caring for family, Buckham secretly built her a fine home. After years of being away, she finally came back to Faribault, but her husband had just passed away. In Judge Buckham s honor, Anna had this memorial built to carry on his core values of education and promotion of the arts. The Buckham Family

3 A repeating arch motif was used throughout the interior and exterior. - Art Noveau (Art Deco) Moderne Style Greek Revival adornment. Designed by Charles Buckham. - Classical arch motif repeated throughout the building - in windows, doorways, Connick Window, fireplaces, and the murals, etc. - Bronze window with stained glass to block sun blocks of Kasota limestone were used over a steel I-beam understructure. - Built as a cultural center. - Built at a cost of $240,000 in year The art collection and books were not included. - Other Greek features include a terrazo floor and an oculus. Library Features

4 Prayer Rug (Circa ) This rug was part of the Buckham s original art collection. Made in Caucasia in the Middle East, it is hand-knotted. The detail in the rug shows, among other things, an arch as its principal feature. The arch s position is directed towards Mecca when being used. The geometric shape of the arch designates it as a typical Daghestan/Kabistan-style Caucasian weaving. The Prayer Rug

5 (L-R) Goddess of Peace God of Comedy Nike, God of Victory God of Tragedy Aries, God of War Pericles Statesman & Orator Age of Pericles Zeus (Middle, Center) Leonidas (Right) Military Hero Spartans at Thermopylae Aeschylus (Center) Plays & Poetry Socrates Philosopher Homer (Center) Greek Legend & Olympian Immortal Lycurgus (Right) Mythical State Father Athens Art & Philosophy Goddess Gaea Giver of all Life Sparta Military Genius This rare stained glass work was created in Boston at the famous Connick Studio. It s Greek theme reflects the most important symbols, Gods, Goddesses and other figures from the height of Greek culture in 400 B.C. Designed to be the heart of the Buckham Memorial Library, reflecting Buckham s love of Greek culture. Painting with light and glass illuminates the window s important features, beckoning visitors to learn the enduring values of education and art. Charles Connick Window

6 Indian Archer 1914 Peace Pipe 1914 Cyrus Dallin ( ) Dallin is best known sculptures are of Indian chiefs, colonial leaders generals and presidents, and a monumental equestrian statue erected in Boston. These 3-foot statues of Indians were reproduced and sold to collectors and educational institutions by Dallin was a internationally-known artist of many mediums. Cyrus Dallin Sculptures

7 Grace McKinstry ( ) The Horse Fair Reproduction from Rosa Bonheur, painted in This classic oil painting by Grace McKinstry was commissioned by Anna Buckham to adorn the fireplace area in the original children s reading room. McKinstry was the daughter of a pioneer newspaperman in Faribault. As a young woman, she received her education at Shattuck-St. Mary s School, went on to the Mpls. and Chicago Institutes of Art, and studied art in Paris with Raphael Collin. he became an internationally-known portrait painter and her paintings many prominent people are held in many public collections in the U.S. and abroad. Grace McKinstry was featured in the 1936 Who s Who in America. Grace McKinstry Painting

8 Olympia - Symbol of athletic perfection - Warrior race showing enthusiasm - Beginning of Olympics - All Greek city-states invited, a truce was called during the games, militaries suspended wars. - The city s athletic complex included hotels, colliseums, field houses, etc. to accomodate thousands of people from all over Greece. Athens - Symbol of arts and philosophy, and the sciences. Advanced civilization. - Climax of intellect - Scene shows sophist instructing disciples ethics and morals, for a high fee. - Birthplace of Plato, Socrates - Parthenon classic Greek architecture on the Acropolis. Murals painted by Alfred Hyslop, former Carleton College art professor. Scenes are symbols of the Golden Age of Greece, 400 B.C., Olympia (Athletic prowess), Athens (Arts & Philosophy), Sparta (Courage & Bravery), Delphi (Worship & Reverence). The scenes painted in lasting vivid color, with attention paid to show realistic details. The Greek Murals

9 Sparta - Symbol of military perfection, genius and courage. - Scene shows cadet training by Spartans - Famous for the Thermopylae battle versus Xerxes and the Persian Army. - Spears, helmets and swords shown in realistic style. - Composition is one-point perspective. Delphi - Symbol of worship, reverence and sacrifice - Home of the Oracle, the source of wisdom - Shrine of Apollo temple - Goat sacrifice for sin - Drapery folds replicated in classic Greek stone sculpture. The Greek Murals