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  On Saturday, June 29 the citizens of Hackensack celebrated the listing of the Hackensack Lending Library in the National Register of Historic Places by the US Dept. of Interior, with congratulatory speeches and a formal Plaque unveiling.

   The Library, constructed in 1936, was designed to be a conservation building serving the many visitors to the lakes area. Builders were the four Holmberg brothers, renown local log cabin builders and stone masons working as part of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) during the depression..  During the 88 years of its existence it has served many community needs, from housing two local teachers, a dentist office, and the American Red Cross during Wold War II.  For the past 22 years it has been a lending library with thousands of donated books in a variety of genres.

Rolf Anderson, Preservation Specialist and Maggie McGill, Library Volunteer with National Register Plaque in front of the historic split rock fire place in the Hackensack Lending Library. Photo submitted.

   Community leaders and volunteers have written grants to the Minnesota Historical Society to research the historical significance of the building and to save it. It has weathered many storms and is in dire need of restoration. A recent conditions assessment has been conducted covering everything from the basement to the roof, log by log and window by window with the estimated costs of renovation at $450,000. A $250,000 building grant is in the process of completion with acceptance notification expected in mid-October. Additional grants will be written in the future.

   If this state grant is accepted, reconstruction work will begin spring of 2025 with the library in temporary housing for a year conducting business as usual.

   If you would like to contribute to the restoration of this piece of history please contact Maggie McGill, [email protected] or mail your contribution to:

Hackensack Lending Library

PO Box 13

Hackensack, MN 56452

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