TEREST. Societies are multiplying in the older East, says Charles M. Skinner in Saturday Evening Post, that have in view the preservation of places of historic interest. For the hand of the spoiler is on the land, and one hears with grief of the destruction of famous old houses where the value of the real estate thus cleared barely pays the contractor for carting off the bricks. If a building becomes so old as to be dangerous, sentiment will not and should not stand in the way of its removal, but in many instances the houses and churches were put up in the good old days when the jerry builder had no standing, and when homes were not for their makers alone, but their children and the children of their children. In all such instances a little money for repair would probably put the place into something very near its original soundness and attractiveness. We should be able to read history more clearly if we kept about us more of the actualities that have had to do with history. An old house tells more to us, in a glance, of the state of the arts and industries of the time it marks, of the social condition of the people who made it, of their relations to the soil, than we could gain in some kinds of reading. Nor has our architecture so determined itself that the study of these old houses has ceased to be a gain to us. Indeed, the Colonial renaissance, which is especially fitting to an American environment, and which contributes plentifully to the charm of many of our towns, would have been deferred indefinitely, and would, indeed, have been impossible, had it not been for opportuni ties for the study of dignified forms of construction offered by halls and residences in parts of New England and the Middle States. Apart from these more scholastic or material advantages, there is reason enough for preserving the old buildings that have historic interest, and for keeping the squatter out of our famous battlefields. For they appeal to patriotism, and they have a part in maintaining the traditions which encourage the best tendencies of the people. Who does not realize the personality of George Washington more keenly after he has wandered through the quaint rooms of Mount Vernon, and roamed about its perfumed gardens? And who, thus realizing, does not feel a new admiration for the founder of the nation? Who but a clod is not thrilled on his first visit to that room in Philadelphia, so big with meaning for the future of the country and the world, or to the white hall of Faneuil, or to the taverns and monuments lining that road to Concord which was dim with the dust of trampling thousands one April morning, and wet with patriot blood? National feeling always rises to emergencies in our country, yet the presence of our monuments tends to keep it alive through periods of peace, and the memorials of men who were strong and resolute in courage and virtue, who sacrificed self on the altar of a common good, who held their country highest in their love, are reminders that there is always place for their successors, not alone in the nation's councils but in the hearts of its people. The vandal who destroys that which is held sacred destroys more than material forms. We need every reminder, not alone for our own contemplation, but for that of our descendants and that of the millions who are crossing the seas to find homes among us, that in this land one may be not merely free but noble, and that the reward of a people is his who shall be worthy of its love. Vol. III. SUPPLEMENT. January-March, 1902. No. 1. An Illustrated Magazine, published by the Manchester Historic Association, containing the papers read at the meetings, with the proceedings of the Association, and miscellaneous article and items of general interest. Terms, in advance, $1.00. Single copy, 25 cents. Address HISTORIC QUARTERLY, G. WALDO BROWNE, Editor, Manchester, N. H. MANCHESTER HISTORIC ASSOCIATION. A preliminary meeting, called for the purpose of forming a historical society devoted to collecting, preserving and publishing whatever matter relating to the early and later history of this vicinity that might be obtained, was held at the Board of Trade Rooms, Kennard Building, on the evening of December 4, 1895. There were present at this meeting, John C. French, Josiah Carpenter, John Dowst, John G. Crawford, Edgar J. Knowlton, George C. Gilmore, Edwin P. Richardson, George W. Browne, Sylvester C. Gould, Edward J. Burnham, Henry W. Herrick, Herbert W. Eastman, David L. Perkins, Joseph Kid der, George F. Willey, and John G. Hutchinson. Meeting was opened with remarks by Mr. Willey, followed by all present, who unanimously declared that they were in favor of such an organization. Mr. French was chosen chairman, and Mr. Dowst secretary. Upon motion it was voted that a committee of five be appointed by the chairman to draft a constitucion and report at a subsequent meeting. This commit tee consisted of Messrs. Browne, Gilmore, Gould, Crawford, and Dowst. At an adjourned meeting, held December 18, 1895, chairman French presiding, Articles of Association, and a Constitution were submitted by the committee, and accepted. A committee consisting of Dowst Crawford, Browne, Gould, and Gilmore, appointed by chairman French to nominate a board of officers for the ensuing year, retired to the committee room, and subsequently returned and reported the names of the board, and the same were unanimously elected as follows : President, John C. French; Vice-Pres. Henry W. Herrick and Joseph Kidder; Treasurer, John Dowst; Recording Secretary, Herbert W. Eastman; Corresponding Secretary, George W. Browne; Librarian, Sam C. Kennard; Historiographer, George C. Gilmore; Executive Committee, John C. French (exofficio), Herbert W. Eastman (ex officio), John G. Crawford, Edwin P. Richardson, Josiah Carpenter, David L. Perkins, and David Cross; Publication Committee, George F. Willey, Edgar J. Knowlton, Sylvester C. Gould, William H. Morrison, and Francis B. Eaton. As the first-named of publication committee did not become a member of the association, George W. Browne at a subsequent meeting was elected to that place. The Constitution provided that the name of the organization should be THE MANCHESTER HISTORIC ASSOCIATION, and that quarterly meetings should be held through the year on the third Wednesdays of March, June, September and December, the last constituting the annual meeting, at which time a board of officers should be elected for the ensuing year. The place of holding the meeting was left to the choice of the President. An adjourned meeting was held on January 1, 1896, to receive the Articles of Association, with such signatures as may have been secured during the interval. At this meeting it was voted to date the organization of the association from this day. The following persons signed the Articles of Incorporation and thus became the incorporators of the association : ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 1 Moody Currier, Edwin P. Richardson, David L. Perkins, The first quarterly meeting according to the provision of the constitution, was held on the evening of March 19, 1896, in the Board of Trade Rooms, at which time David L. Perkins read the first paper before the Historic Association, which was entitled Reminiscences of Manchester, 1841-1896." From March 19, 1896, to the annual meeting, held December 18, 1901, all the meetings were held in the Board of Trade Rooms through the courtesy of that organization, and at nearly every meeting a paper was read or an address given. The elections of officers have always been harmonious, and credit is due tothem for the great interest they have always taken in the association. On January 10, 1898, the association met the great loss by death of its Recording Secretary, Herbert W. Eastman, who had ever been a willing and faithful officer and worker. On January 8, 1900, almost two years later, the death of the President, John C. French occurred, which removed one of the originators and most active promoters of the association. 2, The other members, who have been removed by death, and nearly of whom have been earnest workers, were as follows: Andrew Bunton, June 18, 1897; David L. Perkins, March 2 1898; Moody Currier, August 23, 1898; Charles H. Bartlett, January 25, 1900; William E. Moore, October 22, 1900; Fred G. Hartshorn, February 26, 1901; Allen N. Clapp, May 18, 1 Three others signed the articles but never became members. |