George C. Thomas Memorial Library | |
 HABS in 1991 | |
   | |
| Location | 901 1st Avenue,Fairbanks, Alaska |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 64°50′41″N147°43′41″W / 64.84472°N 147.72806°W /64.84472; -147.72806 |
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1909 (1909) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001542[1] |
| AHRS No. | FAI-004 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | June 02, 1978[2] |
| Designated AHRS | February 23, 1972 |
TheGeorge C. Thomas Memorial Library, also known as theNorth Star Borough Library is a historic former library building at 901 1st Avenue inFairbanks, Alaska. Built in 1909 with funding from philanthropistGeorge C. Thomas, this log building served Fairbanks as its public library until 1977, when theNoel Wien Public Library was opened. This building was designated aNational Historic Landmark in 1978 as the site of a key conference in 1915 betweenAlaska Native leaders and federal government representatives, at which the Native leaders pressed a number of issues, including the long-running matter of native land claims, which would not be resolved until the 1971Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.[2][3]
The Thomas Library building is a square log structure with a hip roof that extends over a porch on two sides. The porch is supported by six log columns on each side, and the building's main entrance is located at the corner under the porch. Construction of the building was funded byGeorge C. Thomas, aPhiladelphia philanthropist who was interested in the missionary work of the Episcopal Church, which had been providing limited library services to Fairbanks since 1904. The building was dedicated on August 5, 1909. The building and library collection were sold to the city of Fairbanks for $1 in 1940, on the condition the building always house a library. The Fairbanks North Star Borough took over operation of the library in 1968.[3] Since the library was moved to new quarters in 1977, the building has seen commercial use.[4]
The building was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1972,[1] and was designated aNational Historic Landmark in 1978.[2] The latter designation was made in recognition of a significant event in thehistory of Alaska. On July 5 and 6, 1915, a delegation ofAlaska Native leaders met with a committee ofUnited States Government officials and representatives of theAlaska Territory to discuss a variety of concerns. Although the issues ranged to matters of employment, education, the major issue was that of native land claims, which were a significant cloud on many land transactions in the territory. The meeting marked the beginning of a lengthy struggle by the natives for recognition which culminated in the passage in 1971 of theAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act, landmark legislation granting them sweeping rights and compensation.[3]
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help) andAccompanying 2 photos, exterior, from 1972. (832 KB)
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