Editor’s note: On Dec. 3, the Kaua‘i Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary. Museum leaders have chosen 50 stories from exhibits, collections and the archives of the museum to share with the public. One story will run daily through Dec. 3.
Editor’s note: On Dec. 3, the Kaua‘i Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary. Museum leaders have chosen 50 stories from exhibits, collections and the archives of the museum to share with the public. One story will run daily through Dec. 3.
One of the significant buildings of 20th century Kaua‘i is the old Kaua‘i Public Library in Lihu‘e. It now serves as the entrance to the Kaua‘i Museum. It began as a library with the intent to form a museum. It was not for a quarter of a century before that became a reality.
The Kaua‘i Public Library began in 1900 from the donated book collection of the Reverend J.M. Lydgate. The collection was housed in the Sunday School rooms of the Lihu‘e Union Church. Reverend Lydgate and his wife were such enthusiastic librarians that they persuaded all their friends to contribute books and money to enlarge the collection.
In 1921, Lydgate spearheaded a committee of Kaua‘i citizens to organize the Kaua‘i Public Library. It consisted of Rev. R.W. Bayless, W.N. Stewart, Wm.H. Rice, Mrs. A.H. Waterhouse, Frank Crawford, Dora Isenberg, Mrs. H.S. Sloggett, Mrs. Theodore Brandt, H.T. Barclay, and R.N. Moler. On January 2, 1922, the Kaua‘i Public Library Association, Ltd. received its charter of incorporation signed by Governor Farrington. An agreement was drawn up with the Kaua‘i Board of Supervisors authorizing the Association to operate a county free library with funds appropriated by the legislature. The budget for the first two years was $25,000 to cover salaries, books and operating expenses.
Mrs. Albert Spencer Wilcox donated $75,000 for a library building as a memorial to her husband. Hart Wood, one of the most prominent architects of the day, was selected to design the building. John Hansen was awarded the contract to construct it for $69,920. The balance of the gift was used for furniture and equipment. The site was sold to the Association for $1 by Lihu‘e Plantation.
The building of lava rock and concrete with its Hawaiian roof of blue tiles was dedicated on May 24, 1924 on the birthday of Albert Spencer Wilcox. Its first librarian was Miss Gertrude McLaughlin.
For many years, the annual meeting of the Association was held on Wilcox’s birthday amid the splendor of massive floral decorations, and leis draped over the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wilcox. Mrs. Wilcox subsequently made another gift to the Library Association “for museum purposes” which was invested for future use.
