This 1904 building was the university's main library. It was named in honor of Charles G. Buckingham (1846–1940), an early donor to the university who was president of Boulder's National State Bank for 66 years. A bookstack wing, designed by Klauder (his only campus project not in the Rural Italian style), was added to the library in 1924.
This building helped define Norlin quadrangle. Earlier buildings like Old Main and Hale faced north, toward town. Guggenheim and this building face onto the quadrangle.
After Norlin Library was completed in 1940, this building became a theatre. The fine arts department shared space in the basement and west wing.
In 1985, a major addition was built to house studios and classrooms for the Division of Dance. In 1989, the older sections were renovated, and a new stage house was added to provide a backstage and wings for the existing theatre.