Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

officials will have to be consulted, together with the architect, and a decision as to method of procedure decided upon. Mr. Saville, the sculptor, who has worked for this committee for two years, without compensation, has made a written proposition to the Highway Department, stating the terms under which he will do this work, and what he proposes to furnish; that is before the Director of Highways now. The latter has told me that he is well satisfied with Mr. Saville's draft, but in order that no questions will be raised will probably take it up with the Board of Control. The effort of the committee is to get as much, and as high quality, of bronze for our money as possible. If this work is let through competitive bidding, it might be difficult to get good sculptors to bid, and if they did bid we would be pretty sure that about fifty per cent of the money would represent the sculptor's fee, and the other fifty per cent the cost of the work. The plan of Mr. Saville is very much better. He [General Orton] feels sure that he will, if awarded the contract, supply much more bronze than he would if tied up on specifications and regulations, because he is primarily an artist, and will constantly see additions which he will take out of his share rather than out of ours. It is to be hoped the Commissioner will permit the awarding of the contract for the bronze work to Mr. Saville.

The report was received and made a part of the record of the meeting.

REPORT OF THE MUSEUM COMMITTEE.

Mr. George F. Bareis, Chairman of the Museum Committee, read the report as follows:

The Museum Committee have had no meeting during the current year, although the members of the committee have been interested in other activities of the Society, especially in the erection of the Memorial Wing of the building. Every nook and corner of every room and hall and passage-way is stored so full of unclassified and uncatalogued material that it was thought not necessary to solicit for material by special effort. And yet the most valuable material is constantly coming. The Field Work of the past season was very valuable and unique in results, especially in copper specimens. These articles are worth many times what it costs to secure them, for instance the string of 320 fresh-water pearls found in one burial mound are valued at from $10,000 to $15,000.

This year the museum committee is anxious to have the Building Committee have all the time and attention possible at this annual meeting, but next year we hope to have many worth while things to report.

On April 3, 1897, Mr. Warren K. Moorehead resigned as Curator, his resignation was not accepted until August 27th. Mr. Moorehead was trying to regain his health in New Mexico. In the meantime Mr. Clarence Loveberry was acting Curator. On December 28, 1897, the museum committee reported that Mr. Loveberry had added about 200 earth-works to the Archæological Map of Ohio and had explored ninety earthworks and village sites, and that there was a total of 19,110 specimens in the Museum, with 200 volumes in the library. By way of reminiscence, I recall very well when the Museum occupied a little dingy upstairs room in the Capitol building. Mr. Graham was the only paid officer, and the specimens were stored on top of his office table, where almost any one could help himself to such as met his fancy. In April, 1898-following Mr. Loveberry Mr. W. C. Mills became the Curator and has now given twenty-five years of the most strenuous and devoted service. In these years it has been my good fortune to be associated with Dr. Mills, and I can testify that he has literally devoted all his energies, day and night, to the task, which to him was not a task but a joy and delight. Dr. Mills told me a few days ago that he has given in actual overtime, during these twenty-five years, one year and seven months. During these twenty-five years he has collected one of the outstanding archæological museums of Ohio Archæology, in the world. He has been a pioneer in many lines of research, and is recognized as one of the leading scientific archæologists of the day.

We hope, by another year, to be able to display much of

this fine and valuable material, and also to make a start in the installation of the new department of natural history.

On motion the report was ordered received and made a part of the record of this meeting.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SERPENT MOUND

Professor W. H. Cole, Chairman of the Committee on Serpent Mound, read the report as follows:

Visitors to Serpent Mound Park who may not have been there for a few years will note some changes.

At the entrance to the Park it will be noticed that the board archway over the gate with its legend "Entrance to Serpent Mound Park" which had fallen into decay, has been replaced by two concrete pillars, thirty inches square and seven feet high, surmounted with concrete globes. These pillars bear indestructible signs: "Serpent Mound Park, Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society."

The wooden gate which did service for many years has been replaced by double iron gates.

The roadway up the hillside to the effigy plateau remains practically the same, as lack of sufficient funds has made it impossible to rebuild it in permanent and durable form. We have had to be content with keeping the old road in repair. But the Park is worthy a roadway of modern construction that will prevent hillside washings.

The covering over the grotto at the spring has been removed, letting in the sunlight, making the premises more sanitary. The brook that at freshet overflowed into the spring has been diverted, so that it now flows around instead of into the spring.

The old picket fence, enclosing the Serpent Effigy, which was falling down from decay, has been replaced with a privet hedge, reinforced with barbed wires supported by neat, steel posts driven along the line of the hedge. The wooden gate at the entrance has been replaced by a neat iron one, while two Irish junipers mark the entrance.

Close to the left of the entrance is a neat, small building which serves as a registration booth, bearing the legend: "Please Register." This serves as a place where visitors may conveniently register, where the registration book may be safely kept, and may also serve as an admonition and reminder of

the importance of the great Serpent Effigy - the object of supreme interest at the Park.

To the right of the entrance to the effigy is a neat, substantial building, thirty by fifty feet, which serves as a shelter house for visitors in inclement weather. In this building has been installed a number of cases filled with archæological and historical relics. This feature might be advantageously enlarged. While the great Serpent Effigy must always remain the object of supreme interest at the Park, valuable lessons might be suggestively taught by a display of objects of archæological and historical interest. We earnestly commend this feature to the thought of the Society.

For a number of years, as funds were available, an effort has been made to reforest portions of the Park which had been denuded of trees before it had become the property of the Society, and already about four hundred trees have been planted.

During the past year, in addition to general care and upkeep of the premises, the house and other buildings have been painted, together with the observation tower. A part of the line fences, for which the Society is responsible, and which had become unserviceable, have been rebuilt; a hundred additional shade trees have been planted; improvements have been made. at the entrance to the Park and about the Serpent Effigy.

During the year there have been 13,000 names of visitors registered, and the custodian estimates that at least 5,000 did not register making a total of 18,000 in all. This is the largest number of visitors to the Park in any single year.

It has been the policy of the committee to keep on sale at the Park, for visitors who might desire it, inexpensive but accurate archæological and historical literature, in the form of books, pamphlets and cards. This is sold at a price to cover publication, that no expense may be incurred by the Society. During the year 1,240 pieces of such literature have been sold.

The Custodian, Mr. Guy Wallace, continues to render efficient and satisfactory service.

The report was received, made a part of the record of the meeting and its recommendations referred to the Board of Trustees.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPIEGEL GROVE.

Mr. W. J. Sherman, Chairman of the Committee on Spiegel Grove, read the report as follows:

[graphic]

HAYES MEMORIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM BUILDING, SPIEGEL GROVE STATE PARK

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »