History of the James Memorial Art Center

         

        Eighty women met in 1909 to organize the Women’s Civic League. Their goal was to obtain a library for the City of Williston. These determined women, at the suggestion of Ben Whitehead, editor of the Williston Weekly State, petitioned Arthur Curtiss James for the funds necessary for a library. Mr. James agreed to fund the project as a memorial to his father, D. Willis James.

          D. Willis James was a native of New York and a major stockholder in the Great Northern Railway. James J. Hill named Williston after him. Until Mr. Hill christened Williston, it was know simply as Sidetrack No. 25.

          Arthur James provided funds for the purchase of land, construction, furnishings and books for the library. Maintenance and operating funds were understood to be the obligation of the community.

          The original lot was purchased at the site of the Bruegger Brickyard. The site was described as “North Dakota Badlands on a small scale”. Huge holes as deep as 10 feet were common. Surface layers of clay had been extracted and burned in limestone kilns.

          Teamsters were hired by the Civic League to complete the land fill. Collecting cans for fill material became a community undertaking.

          Minot architect, R.S. Frost designed the building. W.W. Horton was the general contractor. The building exhibits paired columns and arched windows, has simple lines and a minimal amount of sculptural decoration. It is constructed of cream colored Hebron brick. A dome sits atop the copper roof. The interior contains handsome oak staircases, paneled doors and four marble columns. A major feature is the cove ceiling and a vaulted dome with stained glass skylights. The total cost of the completed building was $18,885.

          The library was dedicated on February 27, 1911. A grand ball was held that night to celebrate.  On opening, the library boasted over 5,000 titles. Through the years, the Williston community found it difficult to provide the funding for the operation of the library. The James family continued its support through the depression years – years that closed many similar institutions. The library was forced to close only once, when the treasury showed a total balance of $15. Donations from civic organizations, volunteer librarians and helpers enabled it to reopen.

          Arthur James’ will provided for the creation of the James Foundation with a $15,000 donation. In the 1950s, this foundation provided the necessary funds for the construction of a two-story addition to the original building. Throughout the years, the library was able to serve the community as a major center for culture and entertainment. Public meetings, banquets, receptions and other social events were held in the building.

          The library closed its doors in 1983 when it was replaced by the new Williston Community Library located at 1302 Davidson Drive. After closing as a library, the building was used to house Williston’s Centennial headquarters and other community events. The city of Williston remained financially responsible for the maintenance of the building and in the early 1990s began to address the issue of probable building destruction.

          In 1993 a group of concerned citizen formed the James Memorial Preservation Society for the purpose of saving the historic library from destruction and developing it into a cultural center for the arts, educational exhibitions, public forums, and meetings. The Preservation Society, in leasing the building from the city, assumed full financial responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the building and for the exhibitions and activities held in it. Membership dollars, fund raising events, memorials, rentals, personal gifts, and grants have financed building improvements and maintenance. The James Memorial Art Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.