In 1878, under the California Rogers Free Library Act, incorporated towns and cities in California could levy a tax on property to finance a public library. Eureka became the first city in California to support a free public library with these public funds. In 1901 the town also received a $20,000 Carnegie Library Grant for the library building construction. Local architects Knowles Evans and B.C. Tarver would design the building using local red brick and Mad River granite. The style of the building would be Classic Revival which uses elements that echoed previous architectural eras like Greek or Roman. The building also features two-story tall Corinthian columns and a terracotta Roman arch. Inside are mosaic floors and solid redwood columns. This, along with the building’s original condition, helped it to be added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
In 1996 the old Carnegie Library building was due to be demolished. The Humboldt Arts Council purchased the building for $1 and started to raise money for its remodel. HAC named the new art museum after local artist Morris Graves. Graves donated 100 works from his private collection to the museum.
Starting this month, May 25th to July 7th, the museum will host a show of Peter’s paintings titled Peter Holbrook: Small Works in the Knights Gallery top floor mezzanine. The show’s opening reception will be on June 1st from 6-9 PM during the town’s Arts Alive (art walk) monthly celebration. The show will consist of 29 paintings, all for sale, and will be the second one person show of Peter’s work at the museum.