The lumber baron's daughter had enjoyed music and the arts, so the building was designed to serve those areas and no expense was spared by the parents.

Designed by Harvey Ellis or Edgar Joraleman,[2] both architects in the Minneapolis firm of L. S. Buffington in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the building was constructed in 1889.

They were inspired by his suggestion to create a community center that would “deepen, broaden, heighten the entire round of life” as a memorial.

[6] Construction began in April 1889 on property in the heart of the business district that had contained a livery stable that Tainter already owned.

There was a brief explanation in March in the local weekly newspaper, the Dunn County News, that Captain Tainter owned the livery stable being razed, but no mention of what was going to be built.

[7] It wasn't until the end of December that the general public learned the details of the new large building on Main Street.

As stated at the time, "In accordance with her wish, the father and mother have felt the fittest monument to the dear dead is a contribution to the welfare of the living.

The interior contains hand-stenciled walls and ceilings, marble staircase and floors, stained glass windows, four fireplaces, brass fixtures and walnut and oak woodwork.

A new entrance, public elevator, new wiring, a sprinkler system, and other safety updates were installed to improve the facility and ensure its longevity in historic downtown Menomonie.

[3] Note: Information about the Tainter Memorial assembled for National Register listing some decades ago has been superseded by later historical research,[citation needed] and in fact in recent years the Register information has been modified[citation needed] to reflect the conclusion that Ellis did not design the building.