A Journey Into McMillan's Past
Who was McMillan, and how did McMillan Memorial Library end up in Nairobi?
William Northrup McMillan by Book BunkBook Bunk
Sir William Northrup McMillan
Sir William Northrup McMillan was an American-born Briton who settled in Kenya as part of a hunting expedition in September 1904.
Head's Lion at McMillan Memorial Library (2023-05-07) by Bill MugandaBook Bunk
A Lioness' Head in a Library
McMillan, like many settlers, had a penchant for lions. He kept a pet lion on his Juja farm and hunted many during his lifetime.
McMillan Memorial Library before the destinctive lion sculptures were erected by Book BunkBook Bunk
The McMillan family owned a townhouse in Nairobi, Kenya which they would lend out to visitors passing through Nairobi. One of their many guests was former United States president Theodore Roosevelt during his East African expedition in 1909.
President Theodore Roosevelt in Kenya
Landing in Mombasa on 21 April 1909, Roosevelt's East African expedition was backed by the McMillans' close friend Andrew Carnegie and co-sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution.
Downed Elephant
The tour collected specimens for the National Museum of Natural History. 11,400 animals were hunted by the party. This included mammals, birds, fish and others. Also gathered were ethnographic objects and plant life samples.
Roosevelt's First Hippo Killing in Kenya
Theodore Roosevelt and his son Kermit Roosevelt, who at the time was 19 years old, cumulatively hunted 512 of the larger animals. Kermit also acted as the expedition's photographer.
Game Hunting
Roosevelt's East African hunting expedition was a huge undertaking that saw the party travel to Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. 250 locals were involved as guides, hunters and porters.
Kermit Roosevelt
Alongside the Roosevelts and scientists from the Smithsonian Institution, leading the hunting party was R. J. Cunninghame. Following the expedition, Theodore Roosevelt wrote African Game Trails that detailed the trip.
Burial site of Louise (R. Decker) on Sir William Northrup McMillan's OlDonyo Sabuk farm (2019-08-15) by Paul MuneneBook Bunk
Sir William McMillan's Burial Site
Sir William Northrup McMillan died in France (Nice) in 1925. Following his death, his remains were transported back to Kenya, where he was laid to rest on the slopes of Ol Donyo Sabuk on his farm. His grave was mysteriously raided in June 2022.
condolences letters by Paul MuneneBook Bunk
McMillan's Death
Condolence letters sent to Lady Lucy McMillan on the death of her husband, Sir William Northrup McMillan in 1925. Lady Lucy continued living in Kenya and was involved in charitable activities up until her death in 1957.
Lady Lucy McMillan by Book BunkBook Bunk
Lady Lucy McMillan
The library was built by Lady Lucy McMillan, the daughter of an American clergyman, with help from the Carnegie Foundation as a memorial to her husband, William. Here she is pictured in what is believed to be her parlour.
View of the street around McMillan Memorial Library in 1972 (1972) by Book BunkBook Bunk
McMillan Memorial Library
For over 90 years, the library has continued to provide information access, learning support and serve as a community hub for the thousands that have stepped into its halls.
Tap to explore
Vitual Tour of Present Day McMillan Memorial Library
Go into McMillan Memorial Library's ground and first floors. Inside are; the main hall, a children's section, a reference section and an Africana room. Take note of the original fittings and art pieces present.
