Pillsbury Library Records

Collection

Identifier: HCL 053

Staff Only

Description of Contents

This collection contains fact sheets, brochures, building information, contracts, newspaper clippings, correspondence, plans, maps, and other administrative records documenting the history of Pillsbury Library from 1896 to 1988. The bulk of materials address the construction and disposition of the building.

Dates

Creation: 1896 - 1988

Creator

Hennepin County Library (Organization)
Minneapolis Public Library (Organization)

Access

The collection is available for use in Special Collections at Minneapolis Central Library during the department's open hours.

History

The Pillsbury Library opened at 100 University Ave. SE in 1904. Envisioned by Governor John Sargent Pillsbury and donated to the city by his heirs, the library replaced a storefront East Side Library that had been in operation since 1891. Architect Charles R. Aldrich designed the Pillsbury branch in a Beaux Arts style.

In 1961, a new Minneapolis Central Library across the Mississippi River, not far from the Pillsbury Library. Due to this proximity, the Minneapolis Public Library closed Pillsbury Library in 1967. Southeast Library (now Arvonne Fraser Library) opened in Dinkytown in 1967 to replace the Pillsbury Library.

Since the Pillsbury Library closed, the building has housed a variety of businesses. For many years, it was the home of the Dolly Fiterman Gallery. The building is part of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District.

Extent

0.21 Linear Feet (1 archival box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Fact sheets, brochures, building information, newspaper clippings, correspondence and other administrative records documenting the history and operations of Pillsbury Library in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1896 to 1988. Pillsbury Library was part of the Minneapolis Public Library from 1904 to 1967 when the branch was closed. The Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library merged in 2008.

Custodial History

Materials were included in the Minneapolis Public Library archives (accession 2019.25).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection contains materials transferred to the archives by Hennepin County Library administration in 2017 as accession 2019.25. Additional materials transferred from Southeast Library in 2018 as accession 2018.44.

Related Materials in Hennepin County Library Special Collections

This is one of many collections documenting Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library locations. For photographs, see HCL 002 Hennepin County Library Photographs. For later, see Arvonne Fraser Library Records.