{"id":905,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:10","latitude":45.29378081126125010769101209007203578948974609375,"longitude":-111.94180548191070556640625,"title":"Thompson-Hickman Library and Museum","subtitle":"Virginia City National Historic Landmark District","fullsize":"https://historicmt.org/files/fullsize/f4a478d175afa9694cc1b5963ab1923f.jpg","address":"220 East Wallace Street, Virginia City, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":16,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"William Boyce Thompson and his wife, Gertrude Hickman, were born in Virginia City to parents of early pioneers. The couple moved to New York City, but retained local ties. The Thompsons provided the funds to build this facility housing a public library and historical collections. Frank A. Colby and Thomas A. Bruno of New York City designed and constructed the building. Work began in 1918 with the laying of the cornerstone; items sealed inside include coins and Thompson and Hickman family histories. Mayor Jacob Albright and Harry E. Hall served as overseers of construction. Built of locally quarried blue-gray stone, the public facility opened in 1922. Generous fireplaces and huge bookcases at either end welcomed patrons to the upper-level reading room and public library. While residents established the first library as early as 1865, the Virginia City Women’s Club organized the current library in 1902. The ground floor museum features local artifacts, photographs, and collections of early Alder Gulch, much of it acquired by former Virginia City mayors James Emslie and James Walker.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Public","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/22389964-91bd-4c66-917f-0279004a042e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about Virginia City National Historic Landmark District</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/e0b9251f-b92e-4e8e-ae20-c0bc3cec7394/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See photos of Virginia City National Historic Landmark District</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://historicmt.org/files/fullsize/f4a478d175afa9694cc1b5963ab1923f.jpg":{"id":1319,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Thompson-Hickman Library and Museum","description":"Thompson-Hickman Library and Museum. Real photo postcard of the front of the stone building, caption reads, &quot;Nationally-known Museum, Virginia City, Mont.&quot; Facing south on Wallace Street. | <a href=\"https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/73494\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montana History Portal</a> | Unknown | Ronnie Sinclair","thumbnail":"https://historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/f4a478d175afa9694cc1b5963ab1923f.jpg"},"https://historicmt.org/files/fullsize/6ef73668a8e28d822de4aec569bd866c.jpg":{"id":2772,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Public Library, Virginia City, Montana.","description":"View of a two-story stone building, stone retaining wall in the foreground. The public library in Virginia City, Montana. | PAc 956-263. Montana Historical Society Research Center Photograph Archives, Helena, MT. | 1920-1950 | Unknown photographer","thumbnail":"https://historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/6ef73668a8e28d822de4aec569bd866c.jpg"},"https://historicmt.org/files/fullsize/dea92b556ee22dbea1e70fd9f2ef59cd.jpg":{"id":2298,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Thompson-Hickman Museum &amp; Library","description":"View looking south at building facade | Courtesy of Montana Heritage Commission | Oct 2019 | Kate Steeley, Montana Heritage Commission","thumbnail":"https://historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/dea92b556ee22dbea1e70fd9f2ef59cd.jpg"}}}