Peabody Historical Library Museum
Encyclopedia
Peabody Historical Library Museum, also known under the older name of Old Peabody Library, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) in 1973. It is located in the Downtown Historic District
of Peabody, Kansas
. The building has state significance because it was the first free tax-supported library in Kansas
.
was named in 1871 after F.H. Peabody, of Boston
, formerly vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
company. In May 1874, Mr. Peabody visited the new city, at which time he announced he would donate money for a library
building, furniture, books, periodicals and landscaping if the Peabody township would secure four lots for the site. The contract for construction was awarded in spring of 1875 and was opened to the public in June 1875, and the following February 1876 the state legislature authorized the township to levy a tax to support the library. The structure housed the library facilities until 1914.
was constructed on the original location. The building was initially moved to the Peabody City Park, then later it was moved to south of the old Peabody Grade School near the railroad tracks. It was restored in 1927. The building was used for club meetings and stood idle for a number of years.
centennial celebration, local citizens organized to move the structure to a lot near its original location (east of the Carnegie library). The old library building was converted and dedicated as a museum on July 3, 1961.
Hours
As of 2011, it is open from Memorial Day
to Labor Day
on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month and each federal holiday (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day). The hours are 2PM to 4PM on each of these days.
Peabody Township Carnegie Library (new library)
Peabody Downtown Historic District (museum is located in this district)
Maps
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP) in 1973. It is located in the Downtown Historic District
Peabody Downtown Historic District
Peabody Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It is located in Peabody, Kansas.-See also:* National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Kansas...
of Peabody, Kansas
Peabody, Kansas
Peabody is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It is named after F.H. Peabody, of Boston, former vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Peabody is well known in the region for its Independence Day Celebration on July 4, and its historic 1880's downtown main street...
. The building has state significance because it was the first free tax-supported library in Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
Library
The city of PeabodyPeabody, Kansas
Peabody is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It is named after F.H. Peabody, of Boston, former vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Peabody is well known in the region for its Independence Day Celebration on July 4, and its historic 1880's downtown main street...
was named in 1871 after F.H. Peabody, of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, formerly vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
company. In May 1874, Mr. Peabody visited the new city, at which time he announced he would donate money for a library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
building, furniture, books, periodicals and landscaping if the Peabody township would secure four lots for the site. The contract for construction was awarded in spring of 1875 and was opened to the public in June 1875, and the following February 1876 the state legislature authorized the township to levy a tax to support the library. The structure housed the library facilities until 1914.
Moved
In 1914, the library was moved, and the Peabody Township Carnegie LibraryCarnegie Library (Peabody, Kansas)
Peabody Township Library, also known under the older name of Peabody Township Carnegie Library, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It is located in the Downtown Historic District of Peabody, Kansas.-History:...
was constructed on the original location. The building was initially moved to the Peabody City Park, then later it was moved to south of the old Peabody Grade School near the railroad tracks. It was restored in 1927. The building was used for club meetings and stood idle for a number of years.
Museum
In 1960, while planning for the 1961 KansasKansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
centennial celebration, local citizens organized to move the structure to a lot near its original location (east of the Carnegie library). The old library building was converted and dedicated as a museum on July 3, 1961.
Hours
As of 2011, it is open from Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
to Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month and each federal holiday (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day). The hours are 2PM to 4PM on each of these days.
See also
- List of museums in Kansas
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Marion County, Kansas, United States...
- Peabody Downtown Historic DistrictPeabody Downtown Historic DistrictPeabody Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It is located in Peabody, Kansas.-See also:* National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Kansas...
- Peabody Township LibraryCarnegie Library (Peabody, Kansas)Peabody Township Library, also known under the older name of Peabody Township Carnegie Library, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It is located in the Downtown Historic District of Peabody, Kansas.-History:...
- W.H. Morgan HouseW.H. Morgan HouseW.H. Morgan House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It is located in the Downtown Historic District of Peabody, Kansas.-See also:* List of museums in Kansas...
Further reading
- Peabody : The First 100 Years; Peabody Historical Society; Peabody Gazette-Herald in Peabody, KS; 123 pages; 1971.
- Marion County Kansas : Past and Present; Sondra Van Meter; MB Publishing House in Hillsboro, KS; LCCN 72-92041; 344 pages; 1972.
External links
Peabody Historical Library Museum (old library)Peabody Township Carnegie Library (new library)
Peabody Downtown Historic District (museum is located in this district)
Maps
- Peabody City Map, KDOT