|
|
|
HISTORY
OF THE NEW ULM LIBRARY |
|
Early Years |
|
New Ulm’s earliest citizenry organized a small
library consisting mostly of German classics in Turner Hall, which
was the main center of social activity in the young community. That
collection fell into disuse however, and some local readers decided
that New Ulm needed more. In 1893 some people set up a collection of
398 volumes and took turns opening the collection for the public,
but when the citizenry was asked to support this library in the 1900
election, the project was voted down. The meager library was closed. |
|
1930 to 1970 |
|
 |
In 1930 a prominent citizen, N. Henningsen died and donated a
parcel of land to be used to build a library. His heirs added the
stipulation that the building must be started within five years or
the land would revert back to them to use for whatever they chose.
Through the gallant efforts of two concerned readers, Fred W.
Johnson; the namesake of Johnson Park, and Adolph S. Meile, the
administrator of the Henningsen estate, the groundbreaking ceremony
for the new building materialized on October 14th, 1935.
The new library and historical museum opened in 1937.
Early in the 1950’s the County assumed responsibility for the
Historical Museum and it became administratively separate from the
Library. Soon thereafter the Library Board realized that more space
was needed and began work on expanding the capacity of the existing
structure. |
|
|
|
1970 to present |
|
 |
|
In January 1965 plans were announced for an addition to be built
on to the original building. The original facility, which was built
to house 24,000 books was already holding 32,000 books and donations
of historical artifacts were being turned down by the Historical
museum because of lack of room.
In 1974 a design for a new, separate facility was accepted by the
City Council and contracts were let for construction of the new
building on land previously acquired from the Henningsen and Somsen
Families, adjacent to the former Library and Museum.
On February 12, 1976 the present library was officially
dedicated. Walter Mondale, at that time a U.S. Senator from
Minnesota, was the featured speaker at the dedication ceremony. The
new structure contained 22,000 square feet of floor space and was
built at a cost of $1,200,000.00. Financing for the project came
from the City Building Fund and from Federal Revenue Sharing monies.
|
Last updated:
Thursday, December 06, 2007
|
