E 175 .4 .051 Copy 1 ''^fe ^f'n ,'■">';' :V' REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON METHODS OF ORGANIZA- TION AND WORK ON THE PART OF STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. R&UBEN G. THWAITES, Chairman. BENJAMIN F. SHAMBAUGH. FRANKLIN L. RILEY. Reprinted from the Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the year 1905, Vol. I, pages 249-325. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1906. r -^ XIIL— REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON METHODS OF ORGANIZATION AND WORK ON THE PART OF STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. REUBEN G. THWAITES, Chairman. BENJAMIN F. SHAMBAUGH. FRANKLIN L. RILEY. 249 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with fundi ngtrom The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/reportofcommitte06amer REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON METHODS OF ORGANIZATION AND WORK ON THE PART OF STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. At a meeting of the American Historical Association held in Chicago in December. 1904, Prof. Henry E. Bonrne, of Western Reserve University, chairman of the Association's general com- mittee, presented a report upon " The work of American historical societies." " This was based upon an inquiry conducted by him into the scope and work of the i^rincipal societies, and was an inter- esting and important preliminary survey of the field. As a result of the Bourne report, the council of the Association appointed the undersigned a subcommittee of the general committee, charged with reporting in detail at the 1905 meeting upon " The. best methods of organization and work on the part of State and local historical societies." STATISTICAL. ' = : ' The committee were convinced that they could not act intelligently without first making as thorough an investigation as possible of the resources, activities, and aims of the historical organizations, of the country. A blank was prepared for tliis purpose, following the gen- eral lines of the Bourne inquiry, but much more specific and widely circulated. This, with an accompanying letter, "was mailed early in February last to the secretaries of societies concerned^the -mailing list being compiled from the Bibliography of Historical Societies published by this Association in 1895, the Carnegie Institution's Handbook of Learned Societies, and other sources. Following is the text of letter and blank : February 1, 1905. The secretaries of societies receiving the accompanying list of queries will confer a favor by responding at their earliest convenience, as the memljers of the committee would like to have all the data before them at their first con- ference, to be held early in the spring. : The questions have been framed upon the basis of the State societies ; but secretaries of district or local societies can readily adapt them to their institu- tions. . . "Annual Report American Historical Association, 1904, pp. 117-127. 251 252 AMERICAN" HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION". Kindly mail reply to the member of the committee who S9nds out this circular, as each member is expected to report upon a certain district — Mr. Thwaites upon the Northern and Central Atlantic States and the old Northwest, Mr. Shambaugh upon the trans-Mississippi (save Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas), and Mr. Riley upon the South. In making replies, it will be a convenience to number them as per the num- bering of the queries. It is earnestly hoped that each and every active historical society in the United States will cordially co-operate with the committee in this matter, to the end that a i-eally adequate report may be rendered upon the work and status of these societies. The committee hope that beneficial results may follow the present investigation ; but this is not possible unless there be a full, frank, and general response to their circular of inquiry. Reuben G. Thwaites, ' - BEN.JAMIN F. ShAMBAUGH, ' Feanklin L. Riley, / Committee American Historical Association, February 1, 1905. inquiry as to the organization, methods, and condition of state and local historical societies. Please reply promptly, and as fully as possible, to R. G. Thwaites, Madison, "Wis. ; B. F. Shambaugh. Iowa City, Iowa ; F. L. Riley, University, Miss. 1. Name and location of your society. 2. Date of establishment or organization thereof. 3. Is it in any official sense aState institution, or entirely a private corpora- tion? Kindly state exact condition. 4. "What are the sources and extent of support? a. Membership fees. b. State appropriations (annual and special). c. Private donations. d. Endowment fund. e. Present annual income from all sources'. 5. "W^hat are your provisions for membership? a. Life. b. Annual. c. Corresponding. d. Honorary. 6. How often do you hold meetings, and what is their general character? 7. Have you a salaried staff? If so, please state number employed, what kind of work, and aggregate salaries paid. 8. Has your society a building of its own? If so, please state cost and char- acter. If housed in a capitol or other public building, please state how much room is occupied. If renting rooms or building, please state extent thereof and rent paid. -9i- Please state your total expenditures per annum for all purposes. Clas- sify them, if practicable. EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 253 10. Does your society maintain a library? a. Along what lines of collection. b. Present number of titles (books and pamphlets together). c. Is the library catalogued? If so, is it a card catalogue? On what system (D. C. or E. C.)?« Is it typewritten? 11. Does your society maintain a museum or art collection? a. Scope and extent of museum. b. Extent of art collection, especially on the historical side. 12. What is the extent and character of your manuscript collections? We should be pleased to have you describe these in as much detail as practicable. 13. To what extent do you collect and preserve newspapers? 14. Has your society, in any manner, the custody of the public archives of the State (or county or city) ? 15. Does it outline and superintend special lines of I'esearch work in history? Please be as specific as possible. 16. What is the extent of your anthropological and archaeological work? a. Field work. b. Collections (possibly covered in remarks on museum, above). 17. Does your society offer public lectures? If so, their character and frequency. 18. The publications of the society? a. Quarterly magazine. b. Annual Reports, Proceedings, Transactions, or Collections. c. Miscellaneous (regular or special). d. What is the general character and scope of your several publi- cations? 19. Are there local historical societies in your State? a. Number and names of. b. Character and purposes of. c. Relation to the State society. d. Is there co-operation of any sort between societies in your State? 20. Please refer us to (and if practicable, send us) the best published account of your society. 21. Please send to us a copy of — a. Statute establishing your institution. b. Articles of incorporation. c. Constitution and by-laws, or rules and regulations. 22. What are the present conditions and prospects of your society? Should like you to be as full and frank as possible. By agreement between the members, Mr. Riley undertook to secure and compile reports from the societies in the Southern States, Mr. Shambaugh from those of the trans-Mississippi (except Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas), and Mr. Thwaites from those of the North- ern States east of the Mississippi. The committee held a two days'- session at Iowa City, Iowa, May 16-17, 1905, discussed the replies, and arrived at certain conclusions, which are presented below. The majority of the active organizations reported promptly; others required prodding; even to the present date a few have failed to respond to our continued requests. The net result was the receipt of a " Dewey classification, or Expansive Classification. 254 AMEKICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. body of useful, although quite unequal, data from 18 national organ- izations (exclusive of our own) having more or less to do with his- torical work — 12 sectional, TO State (including departments and com- missions), and 123 local. While there are regrettable omissions, it may confidently be asserted that practically every important his- torical society or department in the United States is included in the detailed accounts given in the Appendix to the present report. , NATIONAL SOCIETIES, Of the national societies engaged in the collection and publication of historical material we have, for obvious reasons, made no note of our own organization. The most important of these societies in library and resources is the American Antiquarian Society. Its substantial building at Worcester, Mass., contains 120,000 volumes and a valuable collection of m-anuscripts, portraits, and antiques. The American Geographical Society, at New York, is housed in a $200,000 build- ing and possesses a library of 40,000 volumes. Other flourishing bodies are the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society, of New York; the Daughters of the American Revolution (with a large building in Washington, now in course of construction) ; and the Jewish Publication Society of America. SECTIONAL SOCIETIES. The list of sectional societies embraces many that are doing im- portant work. The wealthiest and most effective of these is the New England Historic Genealogical Society, of Boston, housed in a building worth $65,000 and having a library of 66,000 titles. It possesses also notable collections of manuscripts and a large museum of portraits, curios, and antiques. The Confederate Memorial Liter- ary Society, of Richmond, owns a museum and grounds valued at $60,000 and an interesting library of printed and manuscript ma- terial relating to the history of the South prior to the war of seces- sion. The Pacific Coast Branch of our Association, while as yet not engaged in collection or publication, has a promising future as the proposed medium of co-operation between the various historical or- ganizations on the Western coast. STATE SOCIETIES AND DEPARTMENTS. As a class the State societies and departments were the promptest and most business-like in their replies. Not all of the responses were satisfactory in character, but while there are serious gaps enough information was elicited to enable us to present a fairly complete survey of the situation. The following table has been prepared from data to be found in the Appendix : EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTOEICAL SOCIETIES. 255 State historical societies and departments. Institution. Alabama Conference His- torical Society, M. E. Church South, Mont- gomery. Alabama Department of Archives and History. Alabama Historical Soci- ety. Alaska District Historical Library and Museum. Arkansas Historical Asso- ciation. Arkansas History Com- mission. California Historical So- ciety. Colorado Historical Soci- ety. Connecticut Historical So- ciety. Delaware Historical Soci- ety. District of Columbia His- torical Society. Georgia Historical Society Illinois Historical Library Illinois Historical Society. German- American Histor- ical Society of Illinois. Indiana Historical Society Iowa Historical Depart- ment, Des Moines. Iowa Historical Society, Iowa City. Kansas Historical Society. Kentucky Historical Soci- ety. Louisiana Historical Asso- ciation. Lousiana Historical Soci- ety. Maine Historical Society.. Maryland Historical Soci- ety. Maryland, Society for His- tory of Germans in. Massachusetts Historical Society. Massachusetts Military Historical Society. Bay State Historical League. Michigan Pioneer and His- torical Society. Minnesota Historical Soci- ety. Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Mississippi Baptist His- torical Society. Mississippi Historical So- ciety. Mississippi Methodist His- torical Society. Missouri Historical Soci- ety, St. Louis. Missouri State Historical Society, Columbia. Montana Historical and Miscellaneous Library. Or- gan- ized. 1905 1901 1850 1900 1903 1905 1864 1894 1839 1889 1899 1900 Num- ber of mem- bers. 1892 1857 1875 1839 1822 1844 1791 1871 1903 1874 1849 1903 1903 1886 1899 1864 5 151 150 278 100 400 120 196 50 172 200 100 150 355 Value of building. andpam-' Annual 'phleteTn State appro- library Priations 300 Capitol - Joint library building. 830,000.. Capitol. Capitol. §400,000- State Univer- sity. Capitol-- do Confederate Memorial Hall. $30,000. §60,000- §225,000- Capitol. do.. Capitol. 600 , §40,000. 30,000 28,000 30,000 a Merged with State library. State Uni- versity. Capitol 2,444 19,000 30,000 2,500 2,000 26,000 16,000 380 2,000 14, 182 40,000 119,600 8,000 2,500 47,117 500 155,000 7.000 (a) 81,768 §2,500 1,000 1,250 5,700 1,000 300 Other income and remarks. 3,500 Occasional. 10,000 7,500 7,620 Membership. Do. §720; Congression- al appropria- tion. §125. §500. Membership; special funds. §400 and member- ship. §500. §900. §2,000. Membership; con- trols State His- torical Library. §1,500. Membership. 1,600 2,000 2,000 20,000 5,600 1,000 2,500 Do, Do. Membership ; State furnishes printing, post- age, and sta- tionery. Membership. §500. Membership. §2,500 and endow- ments. §425. Invested funds, §221,000; income, §48,000. §1,800. Co-operation be- tween local so- cieties in Mid- dlesex and Es- sex counties. Membership. Do. Do. $1,000. Membership. §3,000. Membership. Department of State Library. 256 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOlSr, State historical societies and departments — Continued. iBStitution. Or- gan- ized. Num ber of mem bers. Value of building. Books and pam- phlets in library- Annual State appro- priations. Other income and remarks. Nebraska Historical Soci- ety. New Hampshire Genea- logical Society. New Hampshire Histor- ical Society. New Jersey Historical So- ciety. New Mexico , Historical Society. New York Genealogical and Biographical So- ciety. New York State Histor- ical Association, Lake George. New York, Society of Co- lonial Wai's in. Pennsylvania Society, New York. North Carolina Literary and Historical Associa- tion, Raleigh. North Carolina Historical Society, Chapel Hill. North Dakota Historical Society. Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, Co- lumbus. Ohio Historical and Philo- sophical Society, Cin- cinnati. Oklahoma Historical Soci- ety. Oregon Historical Society. Pennsylvania Histori c a 1 Society. Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies, Heilmandale. Pennsylvania History Club, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania German So- ciety, Lebanon. Rhode Island Historical Society. Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors' Historical Soci- ety. South Carolina Historical Society. South Carolina, Huguenot Society of. South Dakota Historical Society. Tennessee Historical So- ciety. Texas Historical Society.. Vermont Antiquarian So- ciety. Virginia Historical Soci- ety. Washington Historical Society, Tacoma. Washington University Historical Society, Se- attle. Wisconsin Archaeological Society, Milwaukee. Wisconsin Historical So- ciety. 1878 1903 1823 1845 State Uni- versity. Capitol $10,000. 25,000 1,000 93,500 50,000 $5,000 Govern o r ' s 500 3,500 800 1899 1899 1900 1833 1895 1885 1831 1893 1905 1905 1891 1822 1875 1855 1885 1901 1849 1892 1897 1831 1891 1903 1903 1849 1,034 800 1,600 42 500 600 500 3,000 State Uni- versity. Capitol State Uni- versity. Public Li- brary. Portland City Hall. $300,000 2,000 5,000 84,000 2,000 7,000 315,000 1,250 8,000 2,000 7,500 $20,000. 60,000 1,500 3,000 Capitol - 3. .500 .do. 6,000 State Uni- versity. 3-story _ _ _ City Hall- State Uni- versity. 10,500 1,000 $610,000. 280,000 32,000 Membership. Do. Membership and endowment. $3,000. Membership. Membership. Do. $150. Membership. Do. Do. Do. Do. $1,650. Endowment funds of $170,- 000. General coopera- tion. Composed of his- torical writers. $1,600. Membership. Membership; li- brary and cabi- ne t given to Providence PublicLibrary, Membership; ad- ministers State Department of History. $1,000; library merged in State University Li- brary. $4,300. Membership. $500. $1,000. Endowment funds, $53,000. EEPOET ON- STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 257 It will be seen from the above table that 12 societies or departments' own their own halls — those valued at $100,000 or over being: Wis- consin, $610,000; Iowa Department, $400,000; Pennsylvania, $300,- 000, and Massachusetts, $226,000. Thirteen are housed in their re- spective State capitols, seven are quartered in State universities, and six in other public buildings. The largest State appropriations are given to Wisconsin ($32,000), Minnesota ($20,000), and Iowa. ($17,500).'^ The Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin so- cieties are, of course, the wealthiest in endowments, possessing, re- spectively, $221,000, $170,000, and $53,000 in invested funds. The largest libraries are : Pennsylvania, 315,000 titles ; Wisconsin, 280,000 ; Massachusetts, 155,000 ; Kansas, 119,600 ; and New Hampshire, 93,500. The returns are incomplete. Nevertheless those given show that in the State historical libraries and departments of the United States thus far heard from in detail there are shelved 1,611,491 books and pamphlets. It is fair to surmise that if figures could be had from those not reporting there would be a total of nearly, if not quite, 1,700,000. State appropriations reported exhibit a total of $141,620 annually. Probably the total might reach $175,000 could the value of all State help be represented in the above table, for in numerous Western commonwealths there are additional perquisites of official printing, stationery, postage, expressage, janitorship, repairs, and miscellaneous supplies. The report on invested funds represents but three societies, having an aggregate of $444,000; but no doubt the facts, if obtainable, would reveal a total for the various States of upward of $500,000. LOCAL SOCIETIES. Doubtless many fairly active small societies are not upon our list. We have reason to believe, however, that nearly all engaged in pub- lication or having libraries or museums are represented. Following is a tabular summary, the reader being referred to the Appendix for further details. " This includes both the State Historical Society at Iowa City and the Historical De- partment at Des Moines. H. Doc. 923, 59-1 — -17 258 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. Local historical societies. Society. Or- gan- ized. Num- ber of mem- bers. Books and pam- phlets in library. Annual income. Remarks. ALABAMA. Iberville Historical Society, Mobile. CALIFORNIA. Historical Society of Southern Cali- fornia, Lo^ Angeles. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Association of the Oldest Inhabit- ants, Washington. Columbia Historical Society 1901 1883 1865 1894 18 50 300 5,000 CONNECTICUT. Bridgeport Scientific and Historical Society. New Haven Colony Historical So- ciety, New Haven. 400 FLORIDA. St. Augustine Institute of Science and Historical Society. Champaign County Historical So- ciety, Urbana. Chicago Historical Society 1,500 14,000 300 1899 1855 E vanston Historical Society _ McLean County Historical Society, Bloomington. Pioneer Association of "Will County. Quincy Historical Society Whiteside County Historical So- ciety, Sterling. INDIANA. Goshen Historical Society Grant County Historical Society, Marion. Hamilton County Historical Society, Noblesville. Newcastle Historical Society Northern Indiana Historical So- ciety, South Bend. Old Settlers and Historical Associa- tion of Lake County, Crown Point. Wayne County Historical Society, Richmond. 100 600 100,000 250 300 1903 1900 Decatur County Historical Society, Lamoni. Linn County Historical Society, Ce- dar Rapids. Madison County Historical Society, Winterset. Lucas County Historical Society, Chariton. KENTUCKY. Filson Club, Louisville 1875 1901 1904 1904 1901 1884 200 Eliot Historical Society. York Institute, Saco 50 260 6,000 MARYLAND. Harford County Historical Society 1885 $30-100 300 Fees. 1,500 Fees. 3,500 Fees. Pees. Pees. Pees. Pees. Pees. Fees. Fees. Pees. Pees. Pees. Pees. Pees. Pees. 1,300 Pees. 1,030 50 Has $135,000 building. Building of five rooms. Invested funds, $96,000; has $185,000 building. In public library. In court-house. Chiefly social In chamber of commerce. In city hall. Chiefly social. In court-house. In public library. Do. Do. President R.- T. Durrett meets all expenses above income. Owns building. In court-house. EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 259 Local historical societies — Continued. Society. MASSACHUSETTS. Bedford Historical Society Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society, Pittsiield. Beverly Historical Society — Bostonian Society _ — Brookline Historical Society _ _ _ . Cambridge Historical Society Cape Ann Scientific and Literary Association, Gloucester. Clinton Historical Society Connecticut Valley Historical ciety, Springfield. Dedham Historical Society Essex Institute, Salem So- Fitchburg Historical Society . Hyde Park Historical Society Ipswich Historical Society Lexington Historical Society Lowell Historical Society Maiden Historical Society ... Medfield Historical Society Medf ord Historical Society Methuen Historical Society Middlesex Historical Society Old Colony Historical Society, Taunton. Old South Historical Society, Bos- ton. Peabody Historical Society Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Asso- ciation, Deerfield. Rehoboth Antiquarian Society Sharon Historical Society Shepard Historical Society, Cam- bridge. Somerville Historical Society South Natick Historical, Natural History, and Library Society. Topsfield Historical Society Watertown Historical Society Westborough Historical Society Rumford Historical Association, Woburn. Worcester Society of Antiquity MICHIGAN. Oakland County Pioneer Society, Pontiac. MISSOURI. Kansas City Early Settlers' and Historical Association. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Manchester Historic Association NEW .JERSEY. Bergen County Historical Society, Hackensack. Gloucester County Historical So- ciety, Woodbury. Hunterdon County Historical So- ciety, Plemington. Loyalist Association, New Bruns- wick. Monmouth County Historical So- ciety. New Brunswick Historical Club Or- Nura- berof g^^- mem- ^^^"- bers. 1905 1875 1903 1876 1821 1892 1887 1890 1902 1887 1891 1896 1895 1853 1891 1884 1903 1897 1870 1894 1891 1889 1877 1875 1896 1870 1,100 150 200 670 44 Books and pam- phlets in library. 2,000 1,000 11,000 400,000 3,500 2,000 175 900 150 2,000 ,000 2,000 15,000 700 500 1,500 1,500 90,000 200 500 Annual income. Fees. Fees. Fees. S4,000 Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. 15,000 Fees. Fees. Fees. Pees. Fees. Pees. Pees. Pees. Fees. Pees. Fees. Fees. Pees. 300 Fees. Pees. 320 200 Pees. Pees. 1,200 Pees. Fees. Fees. Remarks. In public library. Library merged with Berkshire AthenEeum. Has §6,000 building. Has $12,000 building. Owns building; endow- ment promised; seeks to supplement public li- brary. Has 815,000 building. Has §75,000 building; in- vested funds, S200,(X)0. Levies assessments and re- ceives gifts. Owns colonial building. Do. In public library. Has S't,500 building. Occupies old mansion. Has 815,000 building. Terms of membership, competition for Old South prizes. Has 835,000 building. Has 814,000 building. In town hall. Devoted to history of First Church (1636); Rents a Revolutionary house. Soon to occupy colonial house. Building in prospect. Occupies old manse; en- dowment fund, 82,200. Has 850,000 building. Social ; no fees. Co-operates with public li- brary. 260 AMEEICAlSr HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATIOISr. Local historical societies — Continued.. Society. Or- gan- ized. Num- ber of mem- bers. Books and pam- phlets in library. Annual income. Remarks. NEW -JERSEY— continued. New England Society of Orange 1870 1877 3,000 Pees. Moribund. Paterson. ical Society, Pilesgrove. Revolutionary Memorial Society, Somerville. ' Rnclry TTill Memorial Rnciety 1884 Fees. Salem. Surveyors' Association of West Jer- sey, Camden. Sussex County Historical Society, Newton. Vineland Historical and Antiqua- rian Society. NEW YORK. Albany Institute and Historical and Art Society. _ 1864 1863 1898 1885 1886 1892 1877 1804 1883 500 9,300 8,000 16,000 Fees. Fees. Owns building. Has ^0,000 building. Has S2OO,O0O building; mu- City History Club, New York Fees. Pees. Fees. Fees. Fees. $9, 795 13,800, Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. 40 Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. 1,500 nicipal aid, S'5,000 and in- cidental expenses: cus- todian, of Lord library, 11,000 volumes. Holland Society of New York 840 Jefferson County Historical Society In Flower Library. Johnstown Historical Society Livingston County Historical So- 250 In Board of Trade. Marks historic sites. ciety, Geneseo. Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn. New York Historical Society 692 1,057 116 353 800 72,130 Owns building; holds no meetings; works in set- tlements and missions. Endowmentf unds, §236,000; Newburgh Bay and Highlands His- torical Society. Oneida Historical Society, Utica 1,500 2,000 3,000 2,000 has §400,000 building. Has $60,000 budding. Onondaga Historical Association, Syracuse. Pennsylvania Society, New York... Rochester Historical Society _ . . . _ _ 1863 1899 Has §35,000 building. Schoharie County Historical Soci- 1889 1893 1890 1897 1874 1867 1869 1880 1893 1900 1869 1895 1890 Occupies"01d StoneFort." ety, Schoharie. NORTH CAROLINA. Trinity College Historical Society, Collections in college li- Durham. OHIO. Clark County Historical Society, Springiield. Muskingum County Pioneer and 85 100 brary. County furnishes §30,000 building, with janitor. County court-house. Historical Society, Zanesville. "Old Northwest" Genealogical So- ciety, Columbus. Sandusky County Pioneer and His- 2,150 In public library. torical Society,. Fremont. Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland. PENNSYLVANIA. Berks County Historical Society, Reading. Bucks County Historical Society, Doylestown. Chester County Historical Society, 600 60,000 475 800 Has §55,000 building. Has $3,500 building. Irregu- lar. Fees. Fees. Fees. Has §35,000 building. West Chester. City History Society, Philadelphia.. Dauphin County Historical Society, Harrisburg. 350 '"""2,'"466" To study city's histoi-y. In court-house. ety, Media. Fayette County Historical and Gen- Fees. Room in court-house. ealogical Society, Uniontown. I EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 261 Local liistorical societies — Continued.. Society. Or- gan- ized. Num- ber of mem- bers. Books and pam- phlets in library. Annual incoiae. Remarks. PENNSYLVANIA— continued. Germantown Site and Relic Society - 1901 Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees'. Fees. Fees. Fees. Occupies historic school- house. 45 Lackawanna Institute of History and Science, Scranton. Lancaster County Historical Soci- ety, Lancaster. Lebanon County Historical Society, Lebanon. Linn County Historical Society, Bellefonte. Montgomery County Historical So- ciety, Norristown. Philadelphia Numismatic and An- tiquarian Society. Snyder County Historical Society, Middleburg. Susquehanna County Historical So- ciety, Montrose. Washington County Historical So- ciety, Washington. Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, Wilkes-Barre. York County Historical Society, York. SOUTH CAROLINA. New England Society, Charleston . . 1886 1896 1898 1903 1881 1858 1899 1890 1901 1858 1819 1869 1890 1876 1899 1906 Books in Green Ridge Li- brary. In Y. M. C. A. Building. 1,800 1,000 1,000 Has $5,500 building; county appropriates $200 annu- ally. Fees. Fees. $117 2,300 Fees, Fees. 400 S u b - scrip- tions. 400 Fees. Fees. Fees. Fees. Room in court-house. $20,000 building and $30,000 library fund in sig'ht. In county coui't-house; gets occasional aid from county commissioners. Has free use of building, with running expenses paid; endowment funds, $23,000. Invested funds, $30,000; en- 216 330 280 2,500 18,000 3,000 TENNESSEE. Confederate Historical Association, 210 courages study of New England history. Memphis. Washington County Historical So- In court-house; no fees. ciety, Jonesboro. VERMONT. Bennington Battle Monument and 300 114 19 Historical Society. WISCONSIN. Green Bay Historical Society Manitowoc Historical Association .. Milwaukee County Pioneer Asso- In public library; auxil- iary of State society. Do. Chiefly social. ciation, Milwaukee. Old Settlers' Club, Milwaukee Parkman Club, Milwaukee 1869 1895 1899 1905 1903 1904 9 17 35 68 23 300 150 Income, $2,000; chiefly so- cial. Members pay cost of pub- lication. In public library; auxil- iary of State society. Do. Ripon Historical Society _ Fees. Pees. Fees. Fees. Sauk County Historical Society, Baraboo. Superior Historical Society Do. Walworth County Historical Soci- ety, Elkhorn. Do. As might be expected, the returns from the local organizations are even more unequal and scattering than in the case of the State societies and departments. Yet even from this incomplete table, showing numerous gaps, we have an aggregate of 885,133 books and pamphlets in the several reporting libraries, and an annual income 262 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. of $93,372. We may safely conclude that nearly every society of importance is here rej^resented by at least partial statistics; with all figures in, we doubtless should find a total of upward of a million books and pamphlets; were it possible to give the total of all mem- bership fees and miscellaneous cash gifts devoted to the conduct of this class of societies, it is quite within the region of possibility that $200,000 are annually contributed in the United States for their support. Some of the local societies are institutions of considerable im- portance. The Essex Institute, of Salem, Mass., with its income of $15,000, library of -1:00,000 titles, and building valued at $75,000, easily takes rank with the State societies. So also the New York (city) Historical Society, with 1,057 members, endowment fund ag- gregating $236,000, yearly income of $12,800, and a building costing $400,000; the Chicago Historical Society, with a library of 100,000 titles, housed in a $185,000 building, and supported by endowment funds aggregating $96,000; the Long Island Historical Society, of Brooklyn, Avith 72,000 titles in its own building; the Western Ke- serve, of Cleveland, with 60,000 titles in a $55,000 building; the Wor- cester (Mass.) Society of Antiquities, housing 90,000 titles within a building valued at $50,000 ; and the Buffalo Historical Society, which dwells in a $200,000 building, has a library of 16,000 titles, and re- ceives a municipal grant of $5,000 and incidental ex^^enses per an- num (the only instance of this sort that has come under our notice). Many of those owning, much smaller libraries and museums, quar- tered in less costly houses, are also institutions w^ielding a wide in- fluence in historical study. It is interesting to note the considerable number finding lodgment in public library buildings, a significant connection promising Avell for both organizations. In several of the Eastern States, notably in Massachusetts, where nearly everj^ town possessses an historical society as well- as a public library, the former frequently owns or rents some historic building, generally a colonial farmhouse which, often with excellent taste, has been converted into a public museum. This is an example well worth following by other local societies. In the South and the Middle West are mau}^ com- munities with historic structures that might still be preserved for a like purpose. ORGANIZATION. Each historical society is in large measure the product of local conditions and opportunities. But back of these, molding conditions and taking advantage of opportunities, are needed individuals imbued with genuine and self-sacrificing enthusiasm for the work. However, enthusiasm will not alone suffice, for the promoters of such enter- prises should by their erudition and technical skill command the EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 263 attention and respect of scholars, ^Yhile by display of practical com- mon sense, business ability, energy, and convincing arguments they are at the same time winning the confidence of hard-headed men of affairs. Ver}^ likely this is an unusual combination of qualities, and an ideal seldom, if ever, realized, for historical societies can not pay large salaries. Certain it is, however, that even when liberally en- dowed no society has attained its full measure of usefulness without some such personality dominating its affairs. Institutions dependent upon State aid are peculiarly in need of this vigorous personal man- agement. The lack of it has been the undoing of a goodly share of the wrecked or moribund societies — wherein everybody's business was nobody's concern — that strew the pathway of our recent investigation. The Massachusetts and Pennsylvania societies are , prototypes of the privately endowed organizations of the Eastern States, which without official patronage have attained strength, dignity, and a high degree of usefulness; while Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas similarly stand for the State supported institutions of the West. Of recent years there has appeared in several Commonwealths the " State Department of Archives and Histor}^" This is an official bureau of the Commonwealth, obtaining the essential personal touch through maintenance of close relations with the State historical society, whose duties, under such conditions, are chiefly literary and advisory. Alabama and Mississippi are the typical examples; but in Iowa the State society, at the seat of the State university, retains a strong individuality in all lines of activity despite the existence of a liberally supported historical department at the capital; in Kan- sas, the society has charge of the department. As to which method is best for new Commonwealths — that of the Alabama type, that of the Wisconsin, that of the Iowa compromise, or that of the Kansas union — your committee will not venture an 0|;inion. Each has certain merits, largely dependent on conditions of environment. When subsidized as the trustee of the State, the society has the advantage of official connection and support combined with, a strong effective personal interest among its widely distributed membership. But there is an ever-present danger of a display of political jealousy, because a quasi-private organization is awarded even the officially guarded expenditure of ])ublic funds, and legislative interference is always possible. While it lacks the inspiration of personal backing, the depart- ment (or, in some States, commission) stands closer to the machinery of government, and although, under careful laws, removed from liability to partisan control, it is not likely in the course of its work to arouse official jealousy. The greatest danger to this method lies 264 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. in the possibility that the performance of its T^'ork may in time be- come i3erfnnctorv, when the public-spirited founders of the depart- ment have retired from service.'' After all, the principal desideratum is, as we have indicated, the personality back of the work, rather than the form of organization. It would be unwise, even if possible, to attempt the making- over of men or of methods that in their respective environments either 23romise or have already attained satisfactory results. What is needed, rather, is the betterment of existing methods, and especially the enlisting in the service of well-trained and vigorous executive officers. Inspired, doubtless, bj^ the example of the Wisconsin society, which is in close, although not official, connection Avith the University of Wisconsin, there has recently been a strong tendency on the part of Western and Southern historical organizations to associate themselves with their State universities. At the university town, of all com- munities in the State, exists a body of scholars who can most profit- ably utilize the collections of the historical society. The scholars need the inspiration of persistent, intelligent collection and i^ublica- tion; the society managers need the academic atmosi^here and aca- demic counsel in and with which to broaden and solidify their work, while the historical library finds its excuse in the largest ix)ssi- ble circle of users. Recognition of these facts has, wdierever possi- ble, led to a closer union between society and university; but in several States, as in Missouri and AVashington, where union with ex- isting agencies seemed impracticable to the universities, the latter have secured the organization of rival State societies at their own seats. Such an arrangement, while doubtless benefitting the univer- sities, is apt to result in divided interest and appropriations. In several Western States difficulties of this character present problems that maj'^ be many years in the solution. SCOPE AND PURPOSE. Some historical organizations are founded for a single, well-defined purpose — such as the Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland, the City History Club of New York, and the Germantown Site and Relic Society. These, of course, find no difficulty in deter- mining their functions. But some of the more general societies, espe- cially in the newer States, api^ear to be confused in this respect, and queries are frequently raised as to their proper scope. In our judgment, an historical society, be it sectional. State, or local, should collect all manner of archaeological, anthropological, his- " See R. G. Thwaites, " State Supported Historical Societies aud tlieir Functions," in Annual Report Amer. Hist. Assoc, 1897, pp. 01-71. EEPOET ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTOEIGAL SOCIETIES. 265 torical, and genealogical material bearing upon the particular terri- tory which that society seeks to represent. The problem would be simplified were the ideal recognized that, wherever practicable, there should in each State be some one place where all manner of historical data relative to the Commonwealth at large may be placed for pres- ervation and consultation, and in each community or county a similar treasure house for its purely local records and relics. It would be superfluous in the present report, which is not intended as an elementary treatise, to set forth in detail the lines of work along which a local historical societj^ may profitably employ itself. But we venture to make these general suggestions: Such an institution may properly make an accurate survey of the archaeology and eth- nology of its district, not only itself acquiring a collection illustrat- ing the same, but entering into fraternal relations with neighboring collectors, private and public, and perhaps publishing a co-operative check list. The records of the county government (or of the town, the village, or the city), of the courts, the churches, and the schools should at least be listed if they can not actually be procured. Diaries of original settlers, mercantile account books, anniversary sermons, private letters describing early life and manners, field books of sur- veyors, etc., are valuable manuscripts worthy of systematic collection. Local newspaper files are an important source of information, and should assiduously be collected and preserved. Pioneers should be " interviewed " by persons themselves conversant with the details of local history. All manner of miscellaneous local printed matter should be secured — such as society, church, and club yearbooks, pro- grammes of local entertainments, catalogues and memorabilia of edu- cational or other public and private institutions within the prescribed field of research. Nothing of this sort comes amiss to the historical student." Collections are naturally classified into libraries, museums, and j)or- trait galleries. Within the library are properl}^ deposited all manner of manuscripts, books, pamphlets, leaflets, broadsides, newspaper files, etc. They should be scientifically catalogued, so far as funds will allow, the manuscripts being, if possible, calendared, or in any event indexed ; the least that can be expected is, that manuscripts be prop- erly listed on standard catalogue cards. In the museum and gallery there should be deposited all portraits or relics bearing on manners, early life, or personnel of the community or region. In many com- munities, where there is no other agency for that purpose, it will be found desirable also to make collections of specimens illustrating the " Consult the following BuUetins of Information, issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society : No. 12, " Suggestions to Local Historians in Wisconsin ; " No. 25, " The Gath- ering of Local History Material by Public Libraries ; " No. 9, " How Local History Material is Preserved." 266 AMERICAlsr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. geology, fauna, and flora of the district, thus making the museum the center of interest to neighboring students of the natural sciences as well as of ethnology, archaeology, and history. Public museums are frequently presented with embarrassing gifts ; but tact and diplomacy can usually be depended on for their eventual elimination. Perhaps in no department of a society's work are common sense and the trained judgment of the professed historical worker more frequently needed than in the conduct of the museum. This is one of the most valuable features of collection when properly selected and administered; but, unfortunately, too many of our American societies are the victims of undiscriminating antiquarianism — collection for collection's sake, without method or definite notion as to the actual scholarly value of the relic. Nothing is more deadly in historical work than unmeaning museums of " popular attractions." In several of our States the archives of the Commonwealth are, when ceasing to be of immediate value in the administrative offices — " dead documents," they have somewhat inappropriately been termed — committed to the care of the State historical society or de- partment of history. While eminently desirable, this disposition is, for various reasons, not immediately possible of attainment in every State. The State society or department may, however, properly interest itself in seeing that the archives are conveniently located and carefully preserved by public officials and, where practicable, offer expert advice as to their proper administration. METHODS OF DISSEMINATION. The gathering of material is of basic importance, but much greater skill is required adequately to disseminate that material. So far as practicable this should be printed, in order to secure the widest possible publicity and consequent usefulness. The publications of historical societies may contain both the original material, or " sources," and the finished product, in the form of monographs, essays, or addresses. State societies should certainlj^ include in their publications everything of value to students to be , found in the archives of the Commonwealth; local organizations may with equal profit search their several county and municipal records, for all data of historical importance. Bibliographies and check lists] of publications relative to State and local history are also desirable. These publications should be well and attractively printed on] good paper, and as skillfully edited as possible.*^ So far as the canons| of scholarship will allow, they should be capable of popular iinder- " See " Suggestions for the printing of documents relating to American History," ■ leaflet issued by American Historical Association, 1906, for the guidance of transcribers ^ and editors, reprinted in present volume, pp. 45-48. EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 267 standing and appreciation. The mass of publications by our Ameri- can societies is large, although by no means as extensive as it properly might be. Unfortunately neither the dictates of typographical taste nor of scholarship have alwaj^s been followed, so that we have upon our library shelves devoted to State and local annals much that is inaccurate as to matter, mechanically execrable, and in general slip- shod. It is high time that those historical societies sinning in this respect bestir themselves and inaugurate a more scientific treatment of their otherwise excellent material. We have come to the stage that competent editors are needed quite as much as indefatigable col- lectors. State or local bibliography is an important and much needed work that may well be undertaken by historical societies, each in its own class. The example of the Iowa society in inaugurating a monographic industrial history of that Commonwealth, and a reprint of important State papers, is worthy of emulation. Many local societies are, in our opinion, spending far too largely of their sub- stance in genealogical 23ublications. With numerous professed genealogical societies in the field, to say nothing of the patriotic hereclitar}'- chapters — too few of which, however, are publishing things worth while — the general historical organization may with more appropriateness devote itself chiefly to the abundant task of putting forth documentary material and monographs bearing upon its legitimate field. Any enterprising and skillfully conducted society once entering upon publication will find the possibilities in this direction practically endless. The methods of distribution of publications should be carefully considered. It is important that material deemed worth}^ of per- manent preservation in printed form should be placed where it will be of the greatest possible utility to scholars. In our opinion, the Library of Congress should, as the national library, be an early re- cipient of all such publications. Next, the largest and most fre- quented reference libraries throughout the United States should be selected as natural repositories, whether the publishing society is or is not in regular exchange therewith; exchange arrangements should, so far as possible, be entered into with kindred societies throughout the State and country. Naturally, the memb?rs of the society and the jDublic libraries of the State and neighborhood will be upon the permanent mailing list. A societ}^ that does not thus disseminate its publications where they can do the most good, is in so far neglect- ing its duty to American historical scholarship — unless, as is occa- sionally the case, publication is dependent upon the sales of copies. The museum is also an important, although necessarily limited, means of presentation of material. With tasteful and carefulh^ phrased labels, varying exhibits of books and manuscripts, loan 268 AMERICAISr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. collections, lectures to teachers and pupils of the public schools, bib- liographical references, etc., much may here be clone to arouse and maintain public interest. INTERESTING THE PUBLIC. Indeed, this matter of arousing and maintaining jjublic interest is of itself an important function of an historical society ; but obviously this should be an intelligent, discriminating interest. Field meet- ings, popular lectures, work with the schools, some measure of co- ordination with pioneer and old settlers' societies of the district, pilgrimages to places of historic interest, the promotion of anni- versary celebrations, and the placing of tablets upon historic sites — all of these are within the province of the society. The enlistment of college and university interests is likewise highly desirable, especially in the matter of research and preparing material for publication; although in becoming academic, the society should be careful not to remove itself too far from the understanding and sympathy of the common people. Popularity and exact scholarship are not incompatible. One of the principal aims of an historical society should be the cultivation among the masses of that civic patriotism which is inevitably the outgrowth of an attractive pre- sentation of local history. Logically, there is no reason why the work of collecting and dis- seminating historical material should not be quite as much a public charge as that of the public library or of the public museum. But the fact that historical work appears to be best prosecuted by indi- vidual enthusiasm seems to render advisable the society organization. In many communities it is, as already intimated, difficult to convince legislative assemblies that a semi-private body should receive public aid. This objection is not insuperable, provided there are not, as in some States, likewise constitutional barriers. In the West ar- rangements have been entered into whereby the society, in accepting public aid, becomes the trustee of the Commonwealth, and its col- lections of State property; yet in no sense does the society thereby surrender its scholastic individuality. In Buffalo the local society bears much the same relationship to the municipality in return for the latter's annual stipend. Even under the most favorable polit- ical conditions, however, there is small chance for the historical soci- ety obtaining official aid unless its work is winning popular appre- ciation. CO-OPERATION. No historical society in the United States, State or local, is so powerful that it may not wax stronger by co-operation with its fel- lows. Small organizations need the advice, assistance, and inspira- EEPOET ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES, 269 tion that come from consorting with larger and more experienced bodies; the latter will attain fresh vigor by coming into close touch with institutions nearer to the people. In Iowa and Wisconsin, co-operation is assured by making the local societies auxiliaries of the State organization. The latter publishes the annual reports of its auxiliaries and such of those papers pro- duced by members of the local bodies as have the stamp of excellence and are of more than local significance. At meetings of the State body the auxiliaries are officially represented, and frequent corre- spondence is encouraged between the parent society and its offspring; indeed, the local leaders are generally active members of the former. Massachusetts has inaugurated a Bay State Historical League, thus far composed of 21 local societies in Middlesex and Essex coun- ties. The organization was formed at Boston, April 3, 1903, its objects being defined as follows : (1) To encourage the formation of historical societies; (2) to encourage the existing historical societies in prosecution of historical study and the dissemina- tion of historical knowledge, in the institution and maintenance of historical memorials and anniversaries, the collection, preservation, and publication of historical material, and to bring such societies into a closer relation with one another; and (3) otherwise to promote historical interests. Annual meetings are held at historic points, with addresses by prominent persons, pilgrimages to memorable places, and informal conferences regarding common interests. It is hoped that by thus combining their forces the several societies in the league may stimu- late popular concern in the history of their region, while leaving each society free to work out its own problems. The Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies, organized at Ilarrisburg January 5, 1905, is of State-wide scope, but apparently confined to the local bodies. Its announced purpose is : (1) To organize historical activity in every part of the State and to foster it, and to foster that already organized; (2) to act as a federation bibliographer for its component societies; (3) at regular intervals, or periods, to bulletin the publications of its component societies, and to conduct an exchange of said bulletins. The State library is taking an active interest in the work, and thus far the expenses of the federation appear to have been made a matter of State charge. Upon the Pacific coast are several active State historical societies, notably those of Oregon and Washington. The Southwest Society of the Archaeological Institute of America, with headquarters at Los Angeles, is rapidly coming to the front, and promises soon to become an important factor in historical research in this interesting region, embracing Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. The conference of historical societies of the Pacific coast conducted 270 AMEBIC AN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. at Portland in the third week of August last, and participated in by- Messrs. Shambaugh and Thwaites, of j^our committee, and b_v Prof. E. G. Bourne, of the council, was a spirited gathering. But the dis- advantage arising from the great distances between the several cen- ters of far Western historical activity was strongly expressed, and ' the need of some central agency of co-operation emphasized, this being the keynote of the discussion. There was a general feeling of satisfaction when it was unanimously determined to utilize the Pacific Coast Branch of this association as such common medium. Herein lie large opportunities for the branch, and it is sincerely hoped that its managers may succeed in realizing the aspirations awakened in the several State societies by this proposed relationship. The four several attempts at co-operation above enumerated are typical and suggestive: (1) An attempt to co-ordinate the w^ork of a limited district within a State immensely rich in historical material and opportunities; (2) a federation of the local historical societies of an entire Commonwealth, independent of the State society; (3) a system whereby local societies are admitted as auxiliaries of the State organization ; and (4) a suggestion to effect co-operation throughout a wide belt of historically related Commonwealths by utilizing a sectional branch of the American Historical Association. Still another form of co-operation has, on motion of the Wisconsin society, recently been inaugurated in the region of the upper and central Mississippi Valley. That institution being about to publish a bulletin descriptive of its own manuscript collections, proposed to other libraries, societies, and private collectors in its neighborhood to append thereto similar descriptions of such of their manuscripts as bear upon American histor3^ Favorable responses Avere received from the Plistorical and Philosophical Society of Ohio (Cincinnati), the Old Northwest Genealogical Society (Columbus), Mr. C. M. Burton of Detroit, the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Public Library, the Newberry Library of Chicago, Mr. Edward E. Ayer of Chicago, the University of Illinois (Urbana), the Minne- sota Historical Society (St. Paul), the State Historical Society of Iowa (Iowa City), the Missouri Historical Society (St. Louis), the Mercantile Library of St. Louis, the State Historical Society of Missouri (Columbia), Mr. Louis Houck, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and the Kansas Historical Society (Topeka). The publication of these lists of manuscripts under one cover and commonly indexed will, of course, prove helpful to students of American history by enabling them to ascertain the strength of nearly all the several collections in the upper Mississippi basin at the minimum expendi- ture of time and effort. It is hoped by the Wisconsin society that this bulletin may prove suggestive to other sections as an example of one form of j^ossible EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTOEICAL SOCIETIES. 271 co-operation.<^ Similar co-operative bibliographies might well be compiled of jDortraits, broadsides, and other illustrative matter, and check lists be prepared of rare historical works, documentary col- lections, etc. The example set by the libraries of Boston, Washing- ton, and Chicago, in publishing combined lists of their periodicals, may well serve as a hint for the historical societies. The Librar}^ of Congress, acting in conjunction with the Carnegie Institution's Department of Historical Research, has now fairl}^ en- tered upon its great task of securing transcripts of all documents in European archives illustrative of American history. As soon as the material is available, it would be quite feasible for local societies in any State, or State societies in any section, to co-operate in the edit- ing and publication of so much thereof as was considered conunon to the history of the territory embraced in such federation. A union for the 23urchase or transcription of such other materials as did not come within the scope of the Washington undertaking might also be established. Even in limited sections, such as that served by the Bay State Historical League, a co-operative bureau would doubtless be found helpful, especially in plans for interesting the public. In the publication of documentary material, no doubt there has occasionally, in neighboring States, been more or less duplication. There have been instances of duplication between State and local societies within the same Commonwealth, arising from lack of agree- ment as to their respective fields. Co-operation would tend to mini- mize this difficulty; jet, in the case of State-supported societies, there are apt to be certain official barriers to perfect co-operation ; and it is open to question whether duplication has not some advan- tages, for the publications of one State are not as a rule obtainable gratis by students in another. It is, however, important that there should be some common understanding in these matters, in order that what is done shall be done intelligently and purposely. Indeed, it is in just such inter-society conferences as this that the most useful co-operation may be effected. Within States, no doubt organized federations like those of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts will best subserve the interests of all concerned and secure both continuity of united effort and proper differentiation; but between State societies it is possible that in most cases a hard-and-fast or- organization might prove less useful than temporary conventions to meet immediate and varying needs. " So long ago as 1897 the Wisconsin society published : I. S. Bradley, "Available Material for the Study of Institutional History of the Old Northwest," Wis. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1896, pp. 115-143. This consisted of a list of the statutes, session laws, legislative documents and .iournals, journals of constitutional conventions, and news- paper files of the Old Northwest Territory and of the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, published prior to 1851, to be found in public libraries within those States. 272 AMEKICAlSr HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. Another form of co-operative agreement is desirable between his- torical societies and public libraries working within the same field. As already noted, many local societies are quartered in the buildings of such libraries, the former being granted either a separate library and museum room or special alcoves in the book stack. Differentia- tion is thus easily arranged, and each institution can be and often is of great benefit to the other. But there are numerous instances where society and public library, sejDarately housed, are engaged in needless and costly duplication. In such cases some sort of under- standing should certainly be entered into. i , The relations between State historical societies and State libraries are likewise often quite lacking in definition. Differentiation is simple in those Western States, like Wisconsin, where the State society, acting as the trustee of the Commonwealth, conducts what is in effect the miscellaneous State library, the nominal State library being simply the law library of the supreme court. But this condi- tion obtains in but few Commonwealths; in others, agreements have yet to be perfected by which these two agencies of collection shall supplement each other rather than duplicate. A system of annual reports from local to State societies would be desirable, as in case of the auxiliaries in Iowa and Wisconsin. On the other hand, similar reports from State organizations to this Association, althoiigh not provided for in our charter, would surely tend to arouse more general interest in an undertaking in which all are deeply concerned. At present the work of the societies is too largely individual, and to that extent narrow. It sorely needs uni- f5dng, sectionally and nationally. Federated relationship, organized or unorganized, would, in our opinion, strengthen the hands of all, from the national body to that of the smallest historical society in the land. Until the " round table " conference at Chicago, in 1904, several of the most important of the State societies were quite unrepresented at the sessions of the American Historical Association. Very likely this has been the fault of the Association quite as much as theirs, for in our programmes scant attention has hitherto been paid to the serious problems confronting State and local societies — support, organization, scope, methods, and co-operation. The council of the Association has, however, at the present session (1905) wisely cre- ated a section devoted to these .matters, and its successive annual conferences will doubtless bear rich fruitage. Respectfully submitted, Reuben G. Thwaites, Chairman. Benjamin F. Shambaugh. Franklin L. Riley. EEPORT OISI STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 273 APPENDIX. Data concerning the several national, sectional, State, and local historical organizations in the United States, snmmarized from infor- mation furnished by the respective bodies upon the blank gi^^en on pages 252, 253, ante, sent out in February, 1905. Twelve months later (January 24, 1906) typewritten copies of these paragraphs were mailed for correction to each organization originally reporting, replies being received from most of them. As here published, the para- graphs contain such corrections to date as were contained in these several responses. Where no reply was received, the paragraph stands as originally prepared from the data furnished in 1905. It will be noticed that the names of several local societies appear io the tabulated statement on pages 258-261, ante, for which no detailed paragraphs appear in the following list. These are organizations whose names were obtained by the committee from various sources, but from which no detailed reports could be obtained, despite per- sistent inquiries. National Societies. ArchcBological Institute of America. — Organized 1879. Income derived from membership dues and contributions from those inter- ested in archaeological research. Dues: life, $100; annual, $10. Fifteen affiliated societies in different centers of the United States, each of which chooses its own officers and has representation on the council of the institute. An annual meeting of the council lield each year. A general public meeting for discussion and papers held in December at different places. The affiliated societies receive one or more lectures each year. Lecturer serves without pay; traveling expenses borne by institute. Investigations are pursued in four fields — Greek, Roman, oriental, and American archaeology. Three schools are maintained : American School of Classical Studies at Athens, established 1881 (its chief explorations have been undertaken at Corinth) ; American School of Classical Studies in Rome, organ- ized in 1895, in which the institute maintains three fellowships; American School for Oriental Research in Palestine, founded in 1900. In American archfeology the iDolicy is to co-operate with exist- ing agencies, supporting fellowships, and j^roviding means for spe- cial excavations. The institute has conducted explorations at Assos, in the Troad, and on the island of Crete; has directed the Wolfe expeditions to Babjdonia and to Asia Minor; has made investiga- tions in Mexico, New Mexico, and among the Indians of the South- western States. Publications: American Journal of ArclKPolor/y^ an illustrated quarterly ; Papers., Bulletins., and Reports., 7 volumes ; Investigations at Assos, etc. H. Doc. 923, 59-1- — 18 274 ' AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. — Founded in 1812. American membership now fixed at 140; private institution, sustained by fees and endowment funds. Meetings semi-annually, at Boston in April, at Worcester in October. Present hall, completed in 1878, contains a useful library of 120,000 volumes, especially rich in historical works; newspaper collections from the earliest issues to the present time; important and comprehensive collection of United States and other official documents ; catalogue excellent ; paid library staff in charge. Valuable portraits, antiques, and manu- scripts; Revolutionary orderly books. Cotton and Increase Mather's diaries and sermons; "Notebook kept by Thomas Lechforcl," 1638- 1641 ; Thomas's " History of Printing " and other works. Archaeo- logical cabinets of Indian and Mexican relics. Proceedings pub- lished since 1849; transactions in seven volumes, entitled Archreo- logica Americana. A Partial Index to the Proceedings (1812-80) was printed in 1883. Contents of the Proceedings (1880-1903) is- sued in 1905. American Baptist Historical Society, Philadelphia. — Life mem- bers enrolled upon payment of $10; present membership, 150. The library was destroyed by fire a few years ago. The society has been trying to regain its former condition, but is embarrassed by lack of money. Its object is to collect materials pertaining to the history of the Baptist denomination and to preserve books written by Bap- tists. American Geographical Society, New York. — Sustained by invested fund and dues; 365 life members in total of 1,400. Owns building valued at $200,000. Six meetings annually, of a business and sci- entific character. Library mainly geographical, carefully catalogued, 40,000 volumes. Transactions since 1852 published in the Bulletin, 37 volumes. American- Irish Historial /S'ocie^.— r-Organizecl January 20, 1897. Life membership fee, $50; annual, $5. Sustained by members; meets thrice a year, on anniversary days. No building yet provided, but library is being collected. Has published five annual volumes and several pamphlets. The secretary's office is in Boston, Mass. American Jewish Historical Society, New York. — Organized in 1892. Membership fees: life, $100; annual, $5, Holds annual meeting at which papers are read and discussed. Library of 600 volumes and numerous pamphlets, housed in Jewish Theological Seminary. Card catalogue. Possesses some manuscripts of the In- quisition in Mexico; several Dutch manuscripts; also a few other relics. Issues an annual volume of Puhllcations (13 now published). American Negro Historical Society, Philadelphia. — Organized 1897; reorganized 1902. Supported by membership fees. Monthly meetings from September to June. The society is yet in its infancy, REPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 275 and has done little beyond collecting photographs, pamphlets, and relics connected with the history of the negro in Philadelphia. American Numismatic and Arclioiological Society^ New York.— Or- ganized, 1858 ; a private corporation. Membership fees : life, $100 ; annual, $10. Has invested funds of $11,000. Regular meetings, four annually. Occupies rented quarters ; building in course of construc- tion. Library, with card catalogue, of 3,000 volumes and 25,000 pamphlets, the latter catalogued in various ways. Museum of 30,000 coins, medals, and archaeological objects. Holds occasional lectures, open to guests and members. Issues Annual Proceedings / is in flour- ishing condition. Colonial Dames of America, NeiD York. — Organized 1890. Mem- bership fees: Life, $100; initiation, $5; annual, $5. Library in, the New York Society library building. Collections of Americana of the colonial period; publications of the same character. Maintains museum and art collections. German- American Tlistorical Society, Philadelphia. — Membership, 79 ; meetings per year, 12 ; publishes the German- American Annals (monthly), succeeding the Americana Germanica (quarterly). Jewish Puhlication Society of America, Philadelphia. — Organized 1888, incorporated 1896. Private corporation. During fiscal year ending April 30, 1905, its receipts from life and annual member- ship fees, private donations, endowment funds, and miscellaneous income aggregated $18,191.13. Members must be of the Jewish faith, but subscribers may secure publications by payment of annual fees; business meetings are held annually. There are two secretaries, be- sides stenograjDhers and salaried canvasser, the total salaries amount- ing to $5,000 i^er annum; office rent, $300; total expenses during the last fiscal year, $18,877.99. The publications of the society include Lady Magnus's Outlines of Jewish History, H. Grsetz's History of the Jews, and the Jewish Year Book. With the growth of the Jew- ish popvdation in wealth and numbers the society's prosjjects are encouraging. National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, D. C. — Organized 1890. A national institution, char- tered by Congress. Support is derived from membership fees, pri- vate donations for a Memorial Continental Hall, and income of current and building fund. Licome of current fund, last year, $49,595.46 ; of building fund, $9,6,435.07. There are life and annual members. National meetings are held annually (Continental Con- gress) ; board meetings monthly from October to June ; chapter meet- ings vary (generally monthly). Eighteen clerks are employed for genealogical, historical, and clerical work. A Memorial Continental Hall, costing from $300,000 to $500,000, is in course of construction. 276 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. Present headquarters in Washington Loan and Trust Company Building, annual rental being $2,755.80. Running expenses aggre- gate $38,024.83. The society maintains an historical and genealogical library with 3,235 titles, catalogued on the dictionary plan (not type- written). The society's museum of Revolutionary relics and por- traits of Revolutionary characters is now in the Smithsonian Insti- tution. Manuscript collections embrace application papers of 52,403 members, with the records of their Revolutionary ancestors. Publi- cations consist of The American Monthly Magazine (official organ of the society). Annual Refort to Congress of United States, and Line- age Book (records of members — two such volumes issued yearly). National Society of Sons of the A^nerican Revolution, Washington, D. G. — Total membership, 11,800; includes 41 State societies. The national society library has a few hundred reference books; similar collections in libraries of State societies. Applications for member- ship on file with the registrar-general include pedigrees of more than 16,000 persons, with proofs of ancestors' services in the Revolution, making a most valuable genealogical and historical collection. Pub- lishes a National Year Book, and the State societies issue Year Books and other historical works. (Now chartered by act of Congress ap- proved June 9, 1906.) Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia. — Organized 1852; private corporation. Membership fees: Life, $100; annual, $5. Monthly meetings of council; one annual meeting. Salaried staff, two clerks; quarters by arrangement with board of publication. Ex- tensive collection of biographies and other material for church his- tory, catalogued in part; museum of portraits, prints, and other an- tiques ; a collection of manuscripts. Preserves weekly church papers ; publishes Journal. Limited income; few workers. Prince Society, Boston, Mass. — Organized May 25, 1858 ; incor])o- rated March 18, 1874. Private corporation, editing and printing manuscripts and books in American history. Publishes not more than one volume a year, assessing proportionate part of cost against members, who receive copy of work. No other clues. Has about 200 members; no salaried staff. Publishes Prince Society Publications, of which 29 volumes have now appeared, including Hutchinson Papers, 2 volumes; Wood''s New England Prospect; Bunton's Let- ters from New England; Andros Tracts, 3 volumes; Sir William Alexander; John Wheelwright,' Voyages of the Northmen to Am- erica; Ghamplahi's Voyages, 3 volumes; New English Canaan; Sir Walter Raleigh; Capt. John Mason; Sir Ferdinando Gorges, 3 volumes; Ahtinomianism in Massachusetts Bay; John Gheckley, 2 volumes; Edward Randolph, 5 volumes; Sir Humfrey Gylberte. Society of Golonial Wars (general society). — Life members, about 1,000; annual members, 3,000. Two meetings annually. Collects REPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 277 material on colonial wars. Has published records of soldiers in these wars and papers on colonial history. Publishes a Register trienni- ally. Unitarian Historical Society^ Belmont^ Mass. — Membership, 115 ; owns no building. Holds an annual meeting at which an address is delivered. Society has a small library of parish histories and memo- rabilia of the liberal religious development at home and abroad. Has published three addresses. Vniversalist Historical Society.^ Tufts College., Mass. — Holds annual meetings at which an essay may be j^resented. Library of 5,200 vol- umes pertaining to doctrine of universal salvation; complete collec- tion of periodicals of same character. Card catalogue for part of library. Some manuscripts, as yet unarranged. Sectional Societies. Confederate Memorial Literary Society^ Richrnond., Va. — Estab- lished in 1890. Not entirely a private corporation. Annual mem- bership fees the principal source of support. Other sources, sale of catalogues, souvenirs, and contributions from chapters of the United Confederate Veterans of different States. Annual expenses about $2,000. Membership fees: Life, $10; annual, $1. Monthly business meetings are held, also an annual meeting in December. No salaries except to house regent and assistant and janitor at the Confederate Museum. The museum building ( formerly the " White House of the Confederacy," having been occupied by the family of Jefferson Davis while he was president of the Confederate States) and the grounds, valued at $60,000, were presented by the city of Richmond to this society for a Confederate Museum. The society maintains a library coinjDosed of materials, printed and manuscript, relating to the history of the South prior to the war between the States. It is partly catalogued, card system. The museum contains between 5,000 and 8,000 articles. Confederate relics. It also has portraits of Con- federate officers, camp scenes from life, 32 fine oil scenes of the siege of Charleston, Fort Sumter, etc. Manuscript collection contains original letters, orders, official papers, addresses before Confederate organizations, etc. The newspaper material consists only of clip- pings from papers and files relating to Confederate subjects. The society assists in every way possible research in the field of southern history. Occasional public lectures are given, usually on the war between the States. The only publications issued are a Me- Tnorial Book, History of the E staljlisliinent of the Museum., Scraj)- hooh., etc. The present condition of the society is prosperous. In- terest in its w^ork is steadily increasing. Connecticut Valley Historical Society, Springfield, Mass. — Organ- ized 1876 ; life membership fee, $50 ; annual, $1. Quarterly meetings, 278 AMEEICAlSr HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. others occasionally. Uncatalogiied library of 1,000 books and pam- phlets. Two volumes published by the society. Seeks to supple- ment ]3ublic library ; condition good. New England Catholic Historical Society^ Boston. — Membership,. 150; two meetings annually for reading and discussion of historical papers. The society has no library. New England Historic Genealogical Society., Boston. — Organized November 1, 1844. Private corporation. Membership fees: Life, $50 ; annu€,l, $5. Annual income from all sources, $12,300. Monthly meetings, excejDt during summer season, for business and literary pur- poses. Owns building worth $65,000. Salaried staff, varying from 10 to 18 persons. Library of G6,000 titles, partly catalogued, devoted to genealogy and New England local history ; some early local news- paj^ers, but recent files not extensive ; museum of curios, portraits, and other antiques. Valuable manuscript collections, including Knox papers of 55 folio volumes. Previously published, Waters'' Genealog- ical Gleanings in England. Present publications : New England His- torical and Genealogical Register ., quarterly; Annual Proceedings; Vital Statistics of Massachusetts Towns., 25 printed, 5 in preparation ; Abstract of Wills in Prerogative Court of Ganterbtvry., England; memorial biographies and miscellaneous gleanings. Condition flour ishing. New England Methodist Historical Society^ Boston. — Organized May 5, 1880 ; successor of New England Conference of Historical Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1859-1872. Private cor- poration. Membership fees: Life, $50; annual, $1. One annual meeting, nine monthly meetings. Occupies room b}^ courtesy in build- ing of Wesleyan Association. Library of 3,500 books and 15,000 pamphlets on Methodist Church history; card catalogue in use. Museum of Methodist history; manuscript of local churches, sketches, sermons. Proceedings., 13 numbers issued. Financial losses in 1903 have retarded work of the society. "<9ZcZ Northwest " Genealogical Society^ Colunibus., Ohio. — Organ- ized, 1897. Private corporation. Membership fees: Life, $50; annual, $3 ; admission, $5. Occasional addresses at quarterly meet- ings. Occupies quarters in Franklin County Memorial Hall. Sec- retary with small salary. Has library, partly catalogued, of 2,150 titles pertaining chiefly to genealogy and local history. Small museum and a few manuscripts and newspapers. O fibers occasional public lectures; publishes Genealogiccd Quarterly. Condition very good. Pacific Coast Branch of American Historical Association. — Organ- ized April 9, 1904. A person holding membership in the American Historical Association is entitled to membership in the Pacific Coast KEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 279 Branch without the payment of any additional dues. Expenses of annual meetings are paid by the American Historical Association. Meeting, annual; special meetings may be held. (A special meeting was held at Portland, in Augiist, 1905.) Proceedings published in ATnerican Historical Review and in the Animal Report of the Ameri- can Historical Association. The purpose of the organization is to further historical interests on the Pacific coast and to keep such inter- ests in touch with those of the American Historical Association. Southe^m History Association, Washington, D. C. — -Organized in April, 1896. Private corporation. All jDersons interested in its ob- jects are eligible to membership. Annual meetings are held. Annual membership dues, $3 ; life membership dues, $30. Has issued 9 vol- umes of Publications, on various phases of southern history, embrac- ing bibliographies, diaries and journals of Revolutionary soldiers and early explorers, biographical and genealogical articles, and important documents hitherto unpublished. The Tennessee Y alley Historical Society, Huntsville, Ala. — Organ- ized September 3, 1902. Altogether private; not incorporated. Membership fees its only source of supjDort. Provisions for member- ship, life, annual, honorarj^ Meetings held annually for presenta- tion of papers, receiving of reports, etc. No salaried staff. No build- ing. Can not approximate annual exj^enditures. No library nor museum nor manuscript collections. Collects and preserves local paper. The Tennessee Valley. The publications of the society consist of occasional circulars; some papers appear in local newspaper. Makes annual reports to the Alabama Department of Archives and History. For published accounts of society, see Gulf States Histori- cal Magazine, Volume 1, pages 58, 226, 299 ; also Transactions Ala- hania Historical Society, Volume IV, pages 193, 402, 580. United Confederate Veterans. — Organized at New Orleans, La., June 10, 1880. Not a State institution. The objects and purposes of this organization are " social, literary, historical, and benevolent," The following extract is taken from the constitution : " It will en- deavor to unite in a general federation all associations of Confederate veterans, soldiers, and sailors now in existence or hereafter to be formed; to gather authentic data for an impartial history of the war between the States ; to preserve relics or mementos of the same ; to cherish the ties of friendshij) that should exist among men who have shared common dangers, common sufferings and privations; to care for the disabled and extend a helping hand to the needy; to protect the widows and the orphans and to make and preserve a record of the services of every member, and, as far as possible, of those of our comrades who have preceded us into eternity." Mem- bership in local camps, bivouacs, or associations belonging to the 280 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. general organization is restricted to those who are able to give " satis- factory proof of honorable service and discharge in the Confederate army or navy." Expenses can not be stated definitely. Annual reunions are held. An historical committee makes a report at each reunion. I^ocal organizations are encouraged to promote historical investigation, and many of their historians have prepared valuable contributions to Confederate military history. United Dcmghters of the Confederacy^ Nashville^ Tenn. — Organized at Nashville, Tenn., September 10, 1894. Not a State institution. An association the objects of which are " historical, educational, memorial, benevolent, and social." Supported by an annual per capita tax. Membershij) based upon relationship to or descent from Confederate soldiers, sailors, and civil officers. Annual conventions are held. Has many activities. Expenses can not be stated defi- nitely. Special lines of research work are undertaken through its general and division historical committees. It publishes an annual volume of Minutes. It is in a prosperous condition. United Sons of Confederate Vetera7is, Montgomery^ Ala. — Organ- ized at Richmond, Va., June 30, 1896. Not a State institution. Source of support, annual per capita tax of 10 cents upon each member. Membership limited to lineal '' descendants of those who served in the Confederate army or navy to the end of the war, or who died in prison or while in actual service, or who were killed in battle, or who were honorably retired or discharged." Annual reunions held at the same time and place as the reunion of the United Confederate Veterans. Exercises consist of general business, reports of officers and committees, election of officers, etc. No salaried staff. Expenses can not be stated definitely. Through an historical committee it conducts investigations in the history of the civil war. It is the endeavor of this committee, as well as of local cam]3S affiliated with the general organization, " to encourage the writing by participants therein of accounts, narratives, meinoirs, histories of battles, episodes, and occurrences of the war between the States; to gather authentic data, statistics, documents, reports, plans, maps, and other material for an impartial history of the Confederate side; to collect and j)re- serve relics and mementos of the war; to make and perpetuate a record of the service of every member of the United Confederate Veterans and all other living Confederate veterans, and, as far as possible, of their comrades who have preceded them into eternity." Division historical committees and camp historians assist in the accomplishment of these objects. Some camps have made valuable collections of military papers and relics. The publications of this organization are an annual volume of the Minutes of the Reunion., general orders, and circulars. report on state and local historical societies. 281 State Societies. Alabama C'onfere7ice Historical jSociety, Methodist Episcopal Church South^ Montgomery^ Ala. — Organized at the session of the conference in Dothan, Ala., December 8, 1905. Not a State institu- tion. Objects, " the collection and preservation of the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in the bounds of the Alabama Conference." Source of support, membership fees. Membership, life, active, and honorary. Holds annual meetings. No salaried staff. Too early to estimate expenses. No library, but will make a collection of Alabama Methodist material. Preserves Alabama Christian Advocate and Nashville Advocate. Publications of the society not yet determined. Will make an annual report to the Ala- bama Department of Archives and History. Present conditions and prospects are excellent. Alahama Department of Archives and History., BI out g ornery. Ala. — Established by legislative act approved February 27, 1901. A State institution, located in the capitol. Objects and purposes, the care and custody of official archives, the collection of materials bear- ing on the history of the State, publication of the official records, etc. Supported entirely by State appropriatons. Oflcicd and Statistical Register^ Reports of director, and blanks, circulars, etc., which may be needed for the use of department, paid out of the public treasury. Salaried staff: Director, $1,800 a year; stenographer, $600; assistant, $360 a year (two latter paid for out of annual maintenance fund of $2,500). Maintains libraiy, museum, and art gallery, and manu- script collections. Special collections: Yancey manuscripts and papers, Curry collection, remnant of Pickett historical librar}?^. Meek collection, Lewis manuscripts, Confederate rosters, etc. State news- papers, about 200 in number, are j)reserved and bound from time to time. Research work is encouraged and aided. Anthropological and archaeological work are also fostered and aided by the depart- ment. No lecture courses are offered, though the director often de- livers public lectures before colleges, schools, and elsewhere. All his- torical societies in Alabama are invited to make annual reports to the director of the Department of Archives and History, the same to be published as a part of his Annual Report. Present condition, excellent ; prospects for the future, encouraging. Alahama Historiccd Society. — Organized July 8, 1850, at Tusca- loosa, Ala. Headquarters were moved to Birmingham in 1900, and thence to Montgomery in 1901. Private corporation. Its principal source of income, membership fees. Annual appropriation of $1,000 from the State since 1898. Income can not be definitely stated. Membership : Life, annual, corresponding, and honorary. Holds an- 282 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. nual meetings for consideration of historical papers, reports of offi- cers and committees, and administrative business. Has no salaried staff. No building. Collections turned over to Alabama Depart- ment of Archives and History. Has no library, no museum or art collection, no manuscript collections, and no newspaper collection. Publishes Annual Transactio7is, containing proceedings of meetings, some original manuscripts, and monographs. There was a revival of interest in 1898, which has continued. n Alaska, District Historical Library and Museum^ Sitka, Alaska. — Established by an act of Congress June 6, 1900. United States insti- tution. Salaried staff, one person at $60 per month. Maintains museum of Alaskan objects. Library contains books, pamphlets, and manuscripts relating to Alaska. Arka7isas Historical Association, Fayetteville, Ark. — Organized December 18, 1903, as local society among the students of the uni- versity. Reorganized on broader basis for the State November, 1904. Private corporation. Membership dues: Life, $30; annual, $2. Meetings held annually; poorly attended. No salaried officers. No buildings and no quarters, except privilege of using university li- brary as depository. Licome from dues, $125 a year. Expenditures up to date, $150. Beginning to collect books, pamphlets, and news paper files. No publication yet, but hope to issue an annual volumej January, 1907. Arkansas History G om,mission. — Erected by the legislature April 1905. Consists of five members appointed by the president of the Arkansas Historical Association. Appropriation, $250 for investiga- tion, $1,000 for publication of first volume. Commission now organ ized; its duty is "to direct and supervise the printing of the firstj volume of the publications of said association," and to investigate and locate all extant sources of information bearing on the histor}'^ of the State, to catalogue and publish same. California Historical Society, San Francisco, Gal. — Support, mem- bership fees, $5 annual. Membership comprises active, 150; life, 1. Meetings, about twelve each year at which historical j^apers are read. Library of 2,444 titles; local and Pacific coast history; a few news- papers. (Totally destroyed by earthquake and fire, April 18-21, 1906.) The State Historical and Natural History Society of Golorado, Denver, Golo. — Organized 1879. Incorporated under legislative enactment. Title to all its property vested in State. Supjjort, State appropriation, about $5,700 per annum; membership fees, $2 annu- ally for active members, $1 for associate members, $25 for life mem- bers. Membership, active, life, honorary, and associate. Salaried staff, curator, $1,500; museum assistant, $800. Housed in state house; 20 rooms. Library, general; about 19,000 titles; not catalogued. 1 } REPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 283 Museum, historical and scientific; about 25,000 natural history ob- jects; some pictures. Some manuscrij^ts. Over 400 files of news- pajjers. Archaeology and anthropology, about 3,000 articles relative to the cliff dwellers (the most valuable in existence). Lectures in museum to pupils from public schools. Publications, Biennial Re- ports and special. Outlook promising. Connecticut Historical Society^ Hartford^ Conn. — Membership, 400. Joint occupancy of building with other libraries. Receives annually $1,000 from State, $100 to $400 from Athen^um. Meet- ings : One annual ; eight regular. Library, partly catalogued ; 30,000 titles, including New England local histories, 1,300;' genealogies, 1,500 ; Eohbins's collection of early x\mericana, 7,000 ; extensive collec- tions of State and Congressional documents; 1,150 bound volumes of newspapers. Manuscripts estimated at 50,000, especially Wolcott, Wadsw^orth, Talcott, Trumbull, and Patterson papers. Special lists of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut local his- tories, genealogies, and manuscripts recently acquired. Publications, 10 volumes of Collections^! averaging 400 pages each; several minor publications ; Antvual Reports since 1890. Historical Society of Delaioare., Wilmington, Del. — Founded in 1864; incorporated, 1868. Membership fees: Life, $25; annual, $5. Present membership, 150. Endowment fund, $5,500; annual State appropriation, $300 ; annual income from all sources, $800. Monthly meetings are held. Assistant librarian receives $10 a month and janitor $5. Rooms are rented at $150 a year. Total expenditures, $600. A library of 2,500 volumes is maintained. Catalogued, Dewey classification. Few manuscripts are collected. Public lectures arc offered occasionally on historical subjects. The historical papers read before the society are jDrinted as Biographical and Historical Papers, 4 volumes, containing 42 pamphlets. Society is doing good work. Columbia Historical Society, Waslmigton, D. C. — Organized April 12, 1894; incorporated May 3, 1894. Entirely a private corporation. Only source of support from membership fees. Present annual in- come, about $1,400. Membership dues: Life, $50; annual, $5. All active members must be residents of the District of Columbia. Meet- ings are held on the second Monday evening from November to May, inclusive; one historical paper of fifty minutes or two of thirty minutes each, with a general discussion. The recording sec- retary receives $100 annually in recognition of her faithful services. The collections contain about 2,000 titles. The library is housed, rent free, by the curator, and meetings are held in the banquet hall of the Shoreham Hotel, at $25 a night. Total expenditures, about $900. All volumes and pamphlets in the library relate to the Dis- trict of Columbia. The Records are published annually, including 284 AMEEICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. annual reports, proceedings, transactions, and papers read before the society. Four hundred copies are issued at a time, of about 300 pages, with ilUistrations. From 29, in 1894, the society has grown m numbers to 278. The prospects are bright. Georgia Historical Society^ Savannah. — -Organized in 1839. Pri- vate corporation. Present annual income, about $2,000. One hun- dred members : Life, $250 ; annual, $25. Quarterly meetings are held. Librarian and recording secretary are salaried. Owns a building, e'rected especially for society, worth about $30,000. Annual expenditures, $2,000. A general library, principally historical, is maintained, consisting at present of 26,000 volumes. Card catalogue system. A number of ma;nuscripts on the early history of the State, such as letters of James Habersham, proceedings of Provincial Con- gress, letters of Joseph Clay, notes of James Jackson, and other material; also many old files of newspapers. Occasionally 'public lectures are offered and historical publications are issued. Publica- tions: Georgia Historical Society Collections.^ 5 volumes, contain reports of the work. Ger'inan- American Historical Society of Illinois, Chicago. — Organ- ized March 12, 1900. Membership fees : Life, $25 ; annual, $3. About 400 members. Monthly and annual meetings. Library, 380 volumes. Salaried secretary. Journal, Deutsch-Amerikanische Ge- schichtshldtter, 1901 to date. Illinois State Historical Library, Spring-fi.el(l, III. — Organized 1889. Is a State institution, receiving from the legislature in 1905 $5,000 for all purposes. Has three salaried officers; occupies rooms in State capitol. Library contains approximately 18,000 titles, with printed card catalogue ; strongest in western and Illinois history. Has no museum, but possesses Lincoln manuscripts of 1831-1837; also a manuscript life of Lincoln, illustrated, and papers on Black Hawk's war. Collects Illinois newspapers, having complete files of Illinois State Register, 1835-1906; /ZZmois State Journal, 1831-1906. Publishes Annual Transactions ; Dictionary Catalogue of Library, 1900. Illinois State Historical Society, Sjyring field. III. — Organized 1899. Membership fees : Life, $25 ; initiation, $1 ; annual, $1. Holds one annual meeting. Employs no salaried staff. The library and the society are parts of the State historical library. Though controlled as to the expenditure of State funds by the trustees of the library, this society has officers and a board of directors, as well as auxiliaries in several local societies. Its publications apj^ear with those of the library. Condition excellent. Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, Ind. — Organized 1830; reorganized 1888. Occupies room in capitol; receives occasional grants from State. One annual meeting. Library, about 2,000 vol- EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 285 umes. Has issued three volumes of Publications since 1888. Efforts centered chiefi}^ on publication. Historical Defartment of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa. — Established 1892. State institution. Support, appropriations by the State of about $10,000 annually. Salaried stati composed of curator, $1,600; assistant curator, $1,000; clerk and. stenographer, $900; ovei-seer of museum, $720. Housed in building which when completed will have cost approximately $400,000. Expenditures, apart from salaries, about $5,000 per annum. Library of 14,182 titles, chiefly State and western history ; also biography, genealogy, statistics ; typewritten card catalogue, Dewej^ classification. All of the leading newspapers of the State received and bound. Art collection of 85 oil portraits, chiefly of Iowa men of prominence. Museum of archaeology and natural history. Anthropology and archaeology field work consists of exploration of mounds and ancient graves in Iowa. Large col- lection of autograph letters and portraits. Manuscripts, 25 or 30 volumes in fine binding. Publications, Annals of Iowa, a quarterly magazine (21 volumes) ; biennial reports (7) ; reprints of early laws (2 volumes) ; several manuscript volumes relative to Iowa history. State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. — Organized 1857. State institution, incorporated. Support: Permanent State appropriation, $7,500 annually. Membership fees : Admission, $5 ; annual, $3 ; life, $50. Meetings, annual, for business. Salaried staff, librarian and cataloguer, $960; custodian, $480; collector, $600; editor, $400; assistant, $180; stenographer, $300. Housed by State university in Hall of Liberal Arts. Library, relating chiefly to local, western, and American history, about 40,000 titles ; accessioned and shelf listed. Museum small. Manuscript collection small, con- fined to local history. NewspajDers, about 150 of the leading news- papers of the State received, 2,000 bound volumes on file. Special research work in State and local history a leading feature of the activities of the society; work outlined and carried on under the direction of board of curators. Anthropology and archaeology, an anthropological survey has been undertaken ; field work under direc- tion of trained anthropologist ; reports published ; collections pre- served. An industrial history of Iowa outlined and investigations begun. An Iowa biographical series planned and in preparation. Documentary history of political parties in preparation. Syste- matic publication of the archives of the State outlined and begun. Several public lectures given each year. Publications, 160 page quarterly; Annual Report to governor of State (1-25) ; Document- ary Material Relating to the History of loioa (3 volumes) ; Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of Iowa (7 volumes) ; Executive Journal of Iowa, in press; Annals of Iowa (12 volumes), discon- tinued; Iowa Historical Record (18 volumes), discontinued; eight 286 AMEEICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. miscellaneous publications. All local historical societies of the State are auxiliary members of this State Historical Society. There are now 115 library members. Kansas State Historical Society^ Topeka^ Kans. — Organized De- cember 13, 1875, at the instance of the Kansas Editors and Pub- lishers' Association. Trustee of the State, 1879. Incorporated. Sup- port: State appropriation, $7,620 annually. Annual printing allowance, $3,261.45; membershij^ fees, $196. Total expenditures per annum,, $10,881.45. Membership: Active, life, honorary, corre- sponding; editors and j)ublishers members by virtue of the contribu- tion of their newspapers, 750. Meetings, annual, in December, for the report of secretary and reading of papers. Salaried staff of five employees, with a pay roll of $4,320 per annum. Housed in State capitol, occupying 9,000 square feet, with exchange room in base- ment. Library of general interest; purchases confined to history; 119,600 titles; partially catalogued, Dewey system, typewritten. Mu- seum for historical objects and archaeology, 8,502 objects; art collec- tion of portraits of Kansans and Kansas views, 6,335 objects. Manu- scripts, collection of 27,960, relating chiefly to Kansas and Kansas affairs; card-catalogued by author and subject. Newspapers and magazines of the State collected and preserved, 19,761 bound volumes; newspapers and magazines outside the State, 10,627; 1,400 bound volumes added yearly. Society has custody of the public archives of Kansas, State and local, which by law may be deposited with the society. Suggests the preparation of papers on neglected topics. Anthropology and archseology, committee on archaeology makes ex- plorations and an annual report; one-fourth of museum made up of archaeological and anthropological collections. Publications: Trans- actions (8 volumes) ; biennial Reports (14 have been published) ; miscellaneous publications. State appropriation for marking his- toric sites. Kentucky State Historical Society^ Frankfort^ Ky. — Organized 1839-40, reorganized in 1896. In 1880 the State set apart rooms in the capitol for use of the society ; State also supplies stationery, post- age, and i^aj^s printing bills; prospect of a State appropriation of $5,000 annually. Membership fee, $1 annually. No salaried officers. Newsjjaper and manuscript collection small. Library and art collec- tion more extensive. The society issues a quarterly publication, en- titled Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society. Louisiana Historical Association^ New Orleans^ La. — Organized and chartered for ninety-nine years in 1889. The State has no con- trol over it, but under the constitution must appropriate for its use $1,200 annually. Supported by State appropriations (about $1,600 a year), membership fees and private donations ($100), and endow- ment fund ($250). Membership consists of annual members, about KEPOKT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 287 50 in number. Quarterly business meetings are held. The society occupies Memorial Hall, built and donated for its use. The total expenditure of the society for all purposes, about $1,700. Its main object is the collection of Confederate relics and documents which relate to the war betAveen the States. It has about 20,000 of the former and 6,000 to 8,000 of the latter. The present condition satis- factory. Louisiana Historical Society^ New Orleans^ La. — Organized Janu- ar}^ 15, 1836. Reorganized in June, 1846. Incorporated in 1847; by act of legislature (extra session), 1877, duly incorporated. Member- ship, 172. Not a State institution, except in so far as it is the guard- ian of certain books and manuscripts which in case of the dissolution of the society revert to the State for the use of the State library. So- ciety has received a few special appropriations, the principal one being $2,500 for the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the purchase of Louisiana. Before the civil war the legislature appro- . priated about $2,000 for copies of Louisiana manuscripts in the archives of France. Annual income from all sources,* $500. Monthly meetings are held, except during July, August, and September. No salaried staff. No buildings; holds its meetings in a room lent by the New Orleans Public Librar}^ The income of late years has been spent in publishing the papers read before the society, and about $400 has been spent during the last three years in having transcripts made of documents relating to Louisiana found in the archives of the Ministere cles Colonies, Paris. The collection consists of manu- scripts of the French and Spanish period, transcripts of manuscripts from France, and books and pamphlets obtained b}^ exchange, about 300 in number. It is believed that the society now owns all of the manuscripts used by Charles Gayarre, historian of Louisiana. No library is maintained, but books are kept in a Separate room of the library of Tulane LTniversity. Some relics were obtained from the excavations of the Indian mounds in Louisiana. Since 1895 three volumes of publications have been issued. It is now proposed to issue a volume each year. Maine Historical Society^ Portland., Me. — Organized April 11, 1822. Membership fees : Admission, $10 ; life, $30 ; annual, $3 ; income from fees, funds, and State subscriptions; building to cost $30,000. Six monthl}^ meetings in winter and spring. Salaried staff in charge of library of about 25,000 titles; card catalogue; museum of antiques. Large number of miscellaneous manuscripts — Proprietary, Fogg's collection, Knox, Longfellow, William King, Trelawny, Kennebec County, Penobscot County, and many others. Newspapers, about 480 volumes. Published: Collections., 11 volumes; Collections and Proceedings., 10 volumes; Documentary Series., 8 volumes; Annual Proceedings., 5 pamphlets. 288 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. Maryland Historical Society^ Baltimore^ Md. — Organized 184-4. Private corporation, but custodian of certain State archives, whicli it also publishes as the agent of the State. Membership fees about $2,500. State appropriation only for publication of archives, $2,000. Has a permanent fund of $20,000, the income to be divided equally for the enlargement of the library and for the issuance of historical publications by the society. Holds monthly meetings, except in July, August, and September. Four paid officers, outside of force employed in care of building, at aggregate salary of about $2,000. Society's lot and building valued at from $60,000 to $60,000— a three- story brick building with fireproof vault attached. Has a library containing books, pamphlets, files of newspapers, transcripts of rec- ords, broadsides, and original documents pertaining to American history, especially to Maryland history; about 35,117 volumes and 12,000 pamphlets. Uses Dewey card catalogue, not typewritten. Manuscript collection consists largely of State archives (now in course of publication) ; autograph letters; special collections, as the Calvert Papers, Gist Papers, Gilmor, Tawney, Hill, Dulaney Papers, etci Large collection of newspapers, old and new. Complete cal- endar of all newspapers now in preparation. The society is, under the authority of the general assembly, the custodian of the early archives of the State, including council and assembly and a portion of the provincial court proceedings. This covers most of the period from 1634 to 1789. Society for the History of the Germans in Mciryland., Baltimore^ Md. — Organized January 5, 1886. Private corporation. Member- ship fee, $5 per annum, only means- of support. Present annual in- come $424.70. Monthl}^ meetings are held at which original articles are read and discussed. No salaried officer. Society has one room in the Germania Clubhouse. Average expenditures about $325. A library is maintained, chiefly of German travels in earlier times. It contains about 500 volumes. Card catalogue is used. Annual re- ports (not regular) are issued, amounting to 16 volumes. Bay State Historical League. — Composed of 21 local societies in Middlesex and Essex counties, Mass. The organization was formed in Boston April 3, 1903, its objects being defined as follows: (1) To encourage the formation of historical societies; (2) to encourage the existing historical societies in prosecution of historical study and the dissemination of historical knowledge, in the institution and maintenance of historical memorials and anniversaries, the col- lection, preservation, and publication of historical material, and to bring such societies into a closer relation with one another; and (3) otherwise to promote historical interests. Annual meetings are held at historic points, with addresses by prominent persons, pilgrimages EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 289 to places of interest, and informal conferences regarding common interests. It is hoped that by thus combining their forces the several societies in the league may stimulate popular concern in the history of their region, while leaving each society free to Avork out its own problems. The secretary is Alfred W. Putnam, Danvers, Mass. Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, Mass. — Organized in 1791. Private corporation ; membership limited by charter to 100; sustained by fees and income from endowment funds; owns build- ing worth $225,000; holds monthly meetings characterized by read- ing of historical papers. Library especially strong in New England history and Avorks of civil Avar; aggregate number of books and pamphlets, 155,000, catalogued with cards. Extensive collections of manuscripts, newspapers, and documents. Maintains a museum. Has published Proceedings, 2 series; Collections, 7 series of 10 vol- umes each (except the last, still unfinished) — 65 A^olumes to date, including A^aluable historical material, reprints of rare A^olumes of colonial history, and important collections of papers, such as Bel- knap, Sewall, Winthrop, Trumbull, Belcher, Pickering, Pepperrell, BoAvdoin, Temple, Heath Papers, etc. Military Historical Society of Massachusetts, Boston. — Organized 1871. Private corporation; 150 members. Supported by income from fees, sales, and John C. Hopes fund. Papers on military topics read at monthly meetings, November to April, inclusiA^e. Annual expenditures, $1,800. Salaried librarian. Library with typewritten card catalogue, 7,000 titles on military history. Has a collection of Napoleonic medals. Six volumes published. Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, Lansing, Mich. — Organ- ized April 22, 1874. Private corporation, supported by the State. Membership fee $1 ; no endowment. Biennial appropriations vary from $3,500 to $5,000. Annual meeting in June. Midwinter meet- ings to be held in various cities. Officers serA^e Avithout remuneration. Presidents of county societies are ex officio vice-x^residents State so- ciety. One salaried clerk and an assistant are employed. Office in capitol; library merged Avith that of State. Maintains museum of Indian curios and pioneer relics; has recently secured a collection of pioneer China, copper, and jjewter dishes. Manuscripts printed as collected in Historiccd Collections, containing many original docu- ments, and transcripts from Canadian archives and British Public Record Office of material relating to early Michigan history, 34 vol- umes. Publications sent to each grange, free public and school library. Pioneer day observed through society's efforts. Condition A''ery prosperous. Minnesota Historical Society, .St. Paul, Minn. — Organized and in- corporated 1849. State institution. Income, principally from State H. Doc. 923, 59-1—19 290 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. fippropriations, $20,000 per annum; also from dues of 355 membsrs. Members in four classes: Honorary, corresponding, life, and annual. Dues: $5, annual; $25, life (six annual payments constitute a life membership). Governed by executive council of 30 elective and 6 ex officio members. Meetings of the society annually in January''; of the council, monthly for business and historical addresses. Salaried staff of secretary and librarian, two assistant librarians, five other assistants. Aggregate salaries, $8,020. Housed in six rooms of new capitol for library and museum; eight rooms of old capitol for por- trait gallery and archaBological department. Expenditures (1905) : Books, $4,980; binding, $1,550; library service, $7,680; department of archaeology, $3,900. Library of 81,768 titles, chiefly historical, particularly strong in local Minnesota history and genealogy. Card catalogue. Newspapers received, 485 from Minnesota ; 40 from with- out the State ; 7,160 bound files. Manuscript collections : Letters of Indian agents, General Sibley, Lawrence Taliaferro; journals of Long's expedition, 1823; of Charles Larpenteur, fur trader; large collection of biographical sketches of pioneers and citizens of Minne- sota. Three hundred and fifty framed portraits, w^ith 200 other framed pictures and 1,000 photograj)hs. Museum of historical relics of the Sioux war and war of secession ; extensive collection of arch- aeological relics, especially of Sioux and Ojibwa tribes. Brower archa?ological collection, 21,000 pieces, being arranged for exhibition. Publications: Min7iesota Historical Collections, 11 volumes; Reports, annual (1868-1879); biennial (1881-1905). Mississippi Baptist Historical Society, Jackson, Bliss. — Founded in 1888. Sole source of support, membership dues, 50 cents a year. Meetings are held annually. No salaried staff. Has rooms in the First Baptist Church, Jackson, Miss. The library contains prin- ci]oally denominational transactions, etc. Keeps file of The Baptist,' and has old files of other Baptist papers of the State. Condition at present moribund. Mississijjpi Department of Archives and History, Jackson, Miss. — State department. Established February 26, 1902 ; organized March 14, 1902. Governed by a board of trustees; administered b}'^ a director, who is elected by the board for a term of six years. Sup- ported by biennial appropriations of the State legislature ; the income for 1905 is $5,600. The publications are the Annual Report of the Director to the Board of Trustees, Official and Statistical Register of the State of Mississippi (issued every four 3^ears), and Documentary History of Mississippi (issued every two years). Six volumes have been issued up to date, the first of the Gulf States to begin the publication of its documentary archives. The department has quarters in the new statehouse — an office, a hall of history, a hall of fame. Its aims and objects have been greatly aided b}^ f;ug- EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTOEICAL SOCIETIES. 291 gestive words and willing supiDort, and the outlook for the future is most promising. Mississiqrpi Historical Society, University, J/iss.— Organized in 1890; incorporated in 1898. Membership fees: $2, annual; $30, life. State appropriation $1,000 for each volume of publications issued. No endowment fund. Has about 300 paying members. Gross sum expended annually for purposes of the society, $2,000. Holds annual meetings, at which are read usually about twelve or fifteen papers on various phases of Mississippi and southern history. Other papers usually about thirty, are read by title and submitted to the society for publication. The secretary, who edits the publications, receives $250 a volume ; the assistant, $210 a year. The library has no sepa- rate building; it consists principally of publications of other so- cieties received in exchange for its publications. The society had a valuable collection of manuscripts and relics, which were presented to the State upon the creation of the department of archives and history. The principal ones were the Ames MSS. and the Claiborne collection. Eight bound volumes, entitled Publications of the Mis- sissippi Historical Society, have been issued. These contain for the most part finished products of research. Source materials are pub- lished by the Department of Archives and History. The society is in a flourishing condition, and the membership list increases yearly. Mississippi Methodist Historical Society, Jackson, il/«ss.— Organ- ized June 1, 1903. Denominational institution. No membership fees; voluntary contributions. The membership is composed of all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in the Missis- sippi conference, and such lay members as may be elected by the society of curators. Meetings are held annually. No salaried staff. No building, no library; manuscript collection very meager. No newspapers except rare religious papers. Addresses are made annu- ally on some phase of Methodist history. It has no regular pub- lication. The object of the society is to collect and preserve relics iind information concerning the rise and progress of Methodism. ! Prospects are bright. Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, il/o.— Established 1806. i Private corporation. Income, $3,000 per annum ; small endowment. 'Membership: Life, active, corresponding, honorary; 600 members. Meetings, nine a year, at which historical papers are read and dis- cussed. Salaried staff consists of librarian. Housed in a remodeled private residence worth $10,000. Library strong in local history and Mississippi Valley, about 30,000 titles. Museum, archa?ology,' por- traits, relics; collection of historical portraits large and valuable. Manuscripts relating to history of the Mississippi Valley, to St. Louis, to fur trade of Missouri River ; documents in Spanish, French, 292 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. and English. Newspapers, files of leading dailies of St. Louis. Publications, Collections (2 volumes). State Historical Society of Missouri^ Golumhia^ Mo. — Organized by State Press Association on May 26, 1898. Incorporated 1899. Trustee of the State, 1899. Support, $5,000 for biennial period appropriated by the State ; membership fees, $1 annually ; life mem- bership, $25. Membership : Annual, life, corresponding, honorary, and auxiliary. Meetings held annually. Salaried staff composed of 'secretary and librarian, $1,750; assistant librarian, $800. Housed by University of Missouri in Academic Hall, six rooms. Library of historical material for Missouri and Mississippi Valley, 27,281 titles; dujolicates, 27,000. Manuscript collection small. Collection of news- papers and periodicals include bound volumes and 760 current issues from Missouri. Museum small, anthropology and archeology — col- lection of Indian stone implements. Publications: Biennial reports to legislature (2) ; papers read at second annual meeting have been printed ; several pamphlets, including catalogue of exhibits at St. Louis World's Fair. Montana Historical Society^ Helena, Mont. — Incorporated by the legislature 1864. Department of the State library, 1893. Support, State appropriations. No membership. Salaried staff, consisting of cataloguer and stenographer, $800; newspaper clerk, etc., $720. Housed in capitol building, three rooms with additional space in basement. Library of 30,000 titles; politics. State documents and history; catalogue begun. Museum, largely an Indian collection. Newspapers, all State papers, magazines, etc., published in Montana are received and preserved. Publications: Contributions.^ 6 volumes, containing important material on early State history, journals and reminiscences of fur-traders and explorers. Nebraska State Historical Society., Lincoln., Nehr. — Established 1878 ; became State institution 1883. Support, $5,000 annual ap- propriation from State ; membership fees, entrance $2 ; no annual dues. Membership consisting of those elected for life or during resi- dence in State; honorary members outside State. Meetings, annual, for reading of j^apers, addresses, etc. Salaried staff', consisting of curator and librarian, $1,450; director of field work, $1,200; archae- ologist, $850 ; newspaper clerk, $325 ; secretar}'', SlOO ; treasurer, $25. Housed by State university with 4,000 square feet of floor sur- face. Expenditures : Salaries, approximating $3,000 ; printing, $600 ; binding, $300; miscellaneous, $1,000. Library relating to Nebraska, local, and western history, over 25,000 titles; accessioned and ar- ranged, Dewey system. Museum of Avestern archaeology, and general local curios; about 30,000 pieces; art collection small, a few paint- ings, portraits, 2,000 photographs, and phonographic records of Indian music. Manuscripts, relating to Nebraska history ; census EEPOKT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 293 returns; large number of letters; early military records; proceed- ings of constitutional convention (1871). Newspapers, about 500 State papers, daily and weekly ; bound from time to time. Arclias- ology, work being done for archaeological survey of State. Occa- sional stereopticon lectures on Nebraska history. Publications: quarterly magazine (one year), now discontinued; Transactions and Reports^ first series (1885-93), 5 volumes; Proceedings and Collec- /«'(97i.s, second series (1894-1902) 6 volumes; in jDress (1906), 3 volumes. Neiv Tlamqjshire Genealogical Society, Dover, N . II. — Incorporated February 2'!, 1903. Private corporation. Membershij? fees : Life, $25 ; annual, $2. One annual meeting ; special meetings at call of secretary ; monthly meetings of trustees. No State support. Genea- logical and historical librarj^, about 7,000 titles; catalogue unhnished. No museum. A few private records and journals in manuscript form. In preparation :- New Hamf shire Genealogical and Biograph- ical Memorial. Publication : New Ilamfshrre Genealogiccd Record^ quarterly magazine. New Ilamjjshire Historical Society, Concord. — Organized May 20, 1823. Private corporation. Membership fees : Admission, $5 ; $3 annually thereafter; life membership, $50; fees of corresponding and honorary members, optional. State appropriation, $500 annu- ally; has a jDcrmanent fund of $12,000; in addition to this, $6,500 in hand and $10,000 willed, but not yet received, the income to be used in book purchases. Holds monthly meetings and an annual field day at some town in the State. Librarian the only paid officer. Society's building cost $10,000, but is old and not fireproof. Has library, mostly local history and genealogy, of 20,000 bound volumes and 73,500 pamphlets. Has card catalogue of about 5,000 volumes, also catalogue of genealogies, etc. Maintains a small collection of curios, mostly Revolutionary relics and collections of birds. MS. collections confined to early history of State, notably the Daniel Webster papers. Governor Plumer papers, the Hibbard papers, and the " Original Records of all the Court-Martials " held at Louisburg, 1746-1748. Newspaper files run back to 1790. Has published tAvelve volumes of Collections and three of Proceedings. Maintains free monthly historical lectures. Society has about 180 members; is trying to raise funds for a new building. New Jersey Historical Society, Newark, N. J. — Organized 1845, Private corporation ; 800 members. Membership fees : Life, $50, or payment of annual dues for twenty years successively ; annual dues, $5. Business meetings monthly and one annual meeting, at any of which historical addresses may be delivered. Annual income, $3,000. Salaried staff, two officers. Library, card catalogue, about 50,000 titles, chiefly on State history and genealogy. Museum main- tained, but not extensive; some valuable portraits. Manuscript col- 294 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCTATIOlSr. lection contains much material for Colonial and Revolutionary periods. Many files of early New Jersey newspapers; some early New England, New York, and Pennsylvania files; facilities not ade- quate for contemporary papers. Full sets United States and New Jersey documents. Publications: Proceedings^ 3 series, 26 volumes; Collections^ 8 volumes; Neto Jersey Archives^ 2 series, 26 volumes. Historical Society of New Mexico^ Santa Fe^ N . Mex. — Reor- ganized in 1880. Private corporation. Supj^ort : Membership fees amount to $50 per annum; $400 to $800 annually from the Terri- tory; total income about $1,000 per annum, with occasional addi- tional subscriptions. Members, annual and life. Meetings, two or three each year. Salaried staff, curator, $150. Housed in the palace at Santa Fe. Library, on southwestern history. Museum of New Mexican objects. A few manuscripts, also documents relative to American occupation. Several territorial newspapers preserved. Two or three lectures each year. Publications, Annual Report and about one pamphlet a year. Aims to collect and preserve articles and material connected with southwestern history in order to pre- vent outsiders from carrying them off. New York Genealogical and BiografMcal Society^ Ne-w York. — Membership fees: Entrance, $10; annual, $5; life, $100. Publishes The New York Genealogical and Biografliical Record: annual sub- scrijotion, $3 ; life, $75 ; subscribers in perpetuity, $100. New York State Historical Association, Lake George, N. Y. — Organized 1899 ; a private corporation. Annual income, about $500. One annual meeting which occupies two days, with public lectures each day. Library of 500 volumes and pamphlets. Proceedings published annually. The society neither owns nor rents a building, but its meetings are well attended, and the outlook is favorable. Pennsylvania Society, New York. — Founded April 25, 1899. Pri- vate corporation sustained by fees of 800 members, who must be Pennsylvanians. Meetings as occasions demand. Owns no build- ing. Library uncatalogued ; about 3,000 titles pertaining to State history. No museum. Regular publications: Annual Yearhook, Pennsylvania Gazette, and bulletins of information for members. Prospects very bright. Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York. — Total mem- bership in 1905, 1,034. Four meetings annually, at which papers on colonial history are read ; also an annual banquet. Collects books on colonial subjects, preserves and catalogues genealogical records. Erected monuments at Louisburg, Cape Breton Island, and on Lake George. The Historical Society of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C. — Founded in 1833. Private corporation in connection with the univer- sity. Meetings are held six times a year, at which papers and reviews REPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 295 of books on Xortli Carolina history are read. No salaried staff. So- ciety has a room in a university building. A library is maintained, in which are kept books, manuscripts, and papers on American and State history; not catalogued. The society has been in a moribund condition for years, but eiforts are being made to revive it. Society publishes through the university department of history. State Literary and Historical Association^ Raleigh^ N. G . — Organ- ized in 1900. Voluntary State-vride membership. Membership fees only source of support. Annual income from all sources, $150. An- nual meetings are held, at which addresses and reports are made. Secretary only salaried officer, at $50 a year. Association has no building of its own, and does not maintain a library. No museum, but an historical museum has been established through its efforts. Publishes Minutes of annual meetings. Promotes rural libraries; encourages monuments at historic sites; secured establishment of historical commission ; offers prizes for literary productions. State Historical Society of North Dakota^ Bismarck, N. Dak. — Organized 1895, reorganized 1903. Incorporated trustee of the State. Support: Membership fees, $2 annually; life membership, $25; State appropriation, $1,250 annualh^ Membership : Annual, life, honor- ary. Business meetings held biennially at Bismarck ; other meetings both at Bismarck and in the Red River Valley. Salaried staff, custodian, $600. Housed in the capitol building — three rooms. Li- brary of 2,000 titles ; not catalogued. Museum composed of Mandan, Sioux, Chippewa, and Icelandic collections, with other miscellaneous articles. Newspapers, two copies of each issue of all newspapers in the State must b}- law be deposited wdth the society. Field work m anthropology and archaeology, Indian mounds, and deserted vil- lage sites; several collectors in the field during the summer. Pub- lications, Reports of society. Receive 50 copies of every publication of the State for exchange. Historical and Philosophiccd Society of Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio. — Organized February 11, 1831. Private corporation; life membership fee, $100; annual, $10. Business meetings monthly and one annual meeting, none of literary character. Employs salaried librarian; owns building, but occupies better quarters near the university. Has typewriten card catalogued library of 84,000 books and pam- phlets, largely historical. Museum of Indian relics, and portraits or view^s relating to local history. Manuscripts of considerable value; a few volumes of newspapers, none recent. Condition ex- cellent; is confining efforts to lines indicated in charter; takes especial pride in original manuscripts relating to Sjanmes Purchase and settlement of Ohio. Bibliography of publications in Annual Report American Historical Association for 1895, pp. 1052-1055. Published Transactions, 2 volumes (1838-39) ; Hildreth's Memoirs of ^96 AMEEICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. Pioneer Settlers of Ohio (1853) ; Journal and Letters of Col. John May (1873) ; Diary of David Zeisherger translated from German manuscrij)t (1886) ; A7inual Beports (1874-1906). Ohio State Archaeological and Ilistorical Society^ Cohmilms, Ohio. — Organized March 13, 1885, as private corporation, but now a semi-official institution, six trustees being appointed by the governor, and appropriations granted at the pleasure of the legislature. Mem- bership fees: Life, $25 (devoted to a permanent publication fund which now aggregates over $4,200); annual, $3; corresponding members render some service. One annual meeting; occupies quar- ters at the State university ; amount of State aid varies from $7,000 to $8,000 annuallj?-. Salaried staff consists of secretary, treasurer, curator, and assistant. Library of more than 5,000 books pertaining to Ohio and the Northwest; catalogue unfinished at time of report. Museum of about 70,000 pieces — archaeological, historical, antiquarian, etc. ; few manuscripts or newspapers. Summer explorations of pre- historic mounds regularly conducted; public lectures offered in archaeology and Ohio history. Issued: Ohio State Ai'chmological and Historical Quarterly., 14 volumes; Ohio Centennial Anniversary (1903) ; Archmological History of Ohio (1902) ; History of George Rogers Clark'' s Conquest., by C. W. Butterfield (1904). Prospects bright. Oklahoma Historical Society^ Oklahojna City., Okla. — Organized May 27, 1893, by the Oklahoma Press Association; chartered under sjoecial Territorial law of January 21, 1895. Trustee of the Terri- tory. Support, annual Territorial appropriation, $2,000; mem- bership fees : Annual, $1 ; life, $10 ; membership consisting of active, life, honorary, corresponding; editors who contribute their papers are members. Meetings, one annual. Salaried staff, custodian, $1,000. Provided with a room in Carnegie Library. Library, mis- cellaneous, historical. Newspapers, about 1,400 bound volumes from Oklahoma and surrounding States. Museum, photographs, relics relative to local history. Publications, three biennial Reports, Object of society, " To collect, embody, arrange, and preserve books, pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary, and other material relating to the history of Oklahoma in j^articular and the country in general." Oregon Historical Society., Portland., Oreg. — Established Decem- ber 17, 1898. Incorporated for educational purposes, 1898; collec- tions " held in perpetual trust for the i3eople of the State of Ore- gon." Support : Membeship fees : Annual, $2 ; life, $25 ; total, $1,650 ; State appropriation, $7,500 for 1905-6. Membership : Life, annual, honorary; present number, 800. Meetings, annual, for busi- ness and the reading of historical papers. Salaried staff : Secretary, KEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL tllSTOEICAL SOCIETIES. 297 $400, as editor of Quarterly; assistant secretary, $1,500; assistant, $600. Housed in the city hall in five rooms. Expenditures per annum: Museum, $112.35; library, $441.75; salaries, $2,500; bind- ing, $164.34 ; printing, $704.86 ; express and postage, $238.25 ; travel- ing expenses, $113.70. Library on local history, 6,695 titles, not catalogued. Museum of pioneer relics, 831 ; archaeological, 490 ; pho- tographs of pioneers, 1,556; other pictures, 1,047; Indian portraits, 28 ; portraits on walls, 296 ; J^news of historical places, 229. Manu- scripts : Letters, 3,486 ; diaries, 180. Newspapers : One hundred and thirty-eight bound volumes; 33,761 unbound numbers of dailies, weeklies, and monthlies; 158 i^apers received. Encourages the writ- ing of papers for the Quarterly. Publications : Oregon Historical Quarterly., five volumes; Proceedings (not published for last three years) ; scojdc of publications is Oregon history. Lispired the com- memoration of centenary of the Lewis and Clark exploration. Historical Society of Pennsylvania^ Philadelphia., Pa. — Organized, 1822; income, from fees of 1,600 members, gifts, and endowments. Owns fire]3roof building costing $300,000. Regular meetings, four; extra when desired. Library, especially strong in American his- tory, 90,000 books, 225,000 pamphlets, 2,500 volumes of local news- papers, many on colonial period ; museum and art collections. Man- uscript collection, 5,000 volumes, very extensive and valuable, includ- ing Penn Papers 150 volumes; Shippen Papers, 100 volumes; Dreer collection, 100 volumes ; Journals of British Lords of Plantation and Trade, 180 volumes; Poinsett, S. P. Chase, Yeates, Norris, Wilson, McKean, Logan, Franklin, Wayne, Biddle, Lafayette papers, etc. ; 400 manuscripts; 3,500 printed volumes of genealogy. Collections and Bulletins, 1 volume each, issued 1851-55, Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biogrcifhy., 30 volumes; Memoirs., 15 A'^olumes, com- prising, among other valuable material, Sargent's monograph on BraddocWs Expedition; Major Denny'' s Journal; Minnies of the Committee of Defense., 1814-15 ; Penn - Logan Correspondence; Heckewelder's Indian Nations; Life and Times of John Dickenson. The Pennsylvania Federation of Llistorical Societies:— OvgdiTiizQA at Harrisburg January 5, 1905. Its purpose is as follows: "(1) To organize historical activity in every part of the State and to foster it, and to foster that already organized; (2) to act as a federation bibliographer for its component societies; (3) at regular intervals, or periods, to bulletin the publications of its component societies and to conduct an exchange of said bulletins." Will meet annually in Harrisburg the first Thursday in January. Historical societies may become members, paying $1 annually ; there are now 24 such members. It is hoped to effect sales or exchanges between the socie- ties of " duplicates of rare imprints, books, or manuscripts," as well as to complete the proposed State bibliography, A still wider scope 298 AMEKICAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATIOlSr. of activity is in prospect. The secretary is Dr. Samuel P. Heilmann, Heilmannclale, Lebanon County. Pennsylvania-Ger'man Society^ Lel)anon^ Pa. — Organized April 15, 1891. Not incorporated; members in various parts of United States and foreign lands. Membership fees : Life, $50 ; annual, $3. An- nual income about $1,G00; no permanent headquarters. "Annual meeting" in October. Maintains no library; has no museum. Pub- lishes results of investigations in Narrative and Critical Tlistory of Pennsylnania., 15 volumes. Condition excellent. Pennsylnania History Club, PhUadelpIria, Pfl.— Organized 1005 as an adjunct .of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. Composed of 42 men and women who are engaged in writing Pennsylvania his- tory and for the most j)art members of the State society. " The members are arranged, according to predeliction, on the three stand- ing committees on Pennsylvania history (general; social, religious, and economic; and political and constitutional) and their subdivi- sions. Reports are to be made from time to time on the various aspects of Pennsylvania history." There are five or six stated meet- ings each winter, with summer pilgrimages to places of historic interest. The object is to supplement the work of existing historical organizations. Rhode Island Historical Society^ Providence., R. /.^-Organized, 1822; private corporation, receiving annually $1,500 from State. Membership fees : Life, $50 ; annual, $3 ; initiation, $5. Holds quar- terly meetings ; has library staff of 4 salaried officers and 2 assistants. Building erected 1844; additions in 1892; total cost, $20,000. Cat- alogued library chiefly on State history, American local history, and genealogy — 20,000 books and 40,000 pamphlets. Has museum and portrait gallery; 2,000 volumes of manuscripts; nearly complete files of all Rhode Island newspapers from first issues to date. Offers a series of public lectures every winter. Publishes Anmicd Proceedings and Collections. Financial condition indicated by endowment fund of $32,000 and miscellaneous fund of $12,000. Soldiers'' and Sailors'^' Historical Society of Rhode Island., Proin- dence., R. I. — Organized in March, 1875 ; private corporation. Sus- tained by annual fees of members. Meetings not fixed, but average three each year; at each a paper is read. Membership being limited to veterans of the war of 1861-1865, the society can not exist many years more; its library and cabinet were given to the Providence Public Library; the papers read at its meetings have been printed and sold. Huguenot Society of South Carolina., Charleston., S. C . — Organized in 1885. Not incorporated. Membership fee, $1. About $225 rep- resents the total expenditures of the society. Two meetings are held a year, at which the general business of the society is attended to, EEPOET ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTOKICAL SOCIETIES. 299 members elected, papers read, and addresses delivered. The society has a few volumes of history relative to the Huguenots ; several pamphlets on local history and a few publications received from other societies. The society has published 12 volumes of Trans- actions. South Carolina Historical Society., Charleston, S. C. — Founded June 2, 1855. Private corporation composed of members from the State and elsewhere. Supported entirely by membership fees and sales of publications. Annual membership dues, $3. Income from all sources, $900. Purely business meetings are held May 19 each year. The society pays $300 to one person, who fills three offices — secretary, treasurer, and librarian. Society's publications are edited by A. S. Salley, jr., secretary of the South Carolina Historical Com- mission. The society rents a room for $60 per annum. A library is maintained, founded by exchanges and gifts, now comprising about 3,000 volumes. Has a few historical relics. An exceedingly valu- able collection of manuscripts, containing the public papers of Hon. Henry Laurens and the diplomatic papers of Gen. Thomas Pinck- ney. The object of the society is to i^rint and properly index South Carolina records. Publishes a quarterly magazine ; also occasional pamphlets — very little original work, only records printed. State Histoi'ical Society of South Dakota^ Pierre., S. Dak. — Estab- lished" January 23, 1901. Trustee of State; organized under special charter granted by the legislature. Administrator of department of history of the State. Support, from membership fees; annual dues, $2; life membership, $10; State appropriation, $3,520. Membership comprises annual, life, corresponding, and honorary. Historical so- cieties in State may become corresponding members. Meetings held biennially for business and addresses. Salaried staff: Secretary (ex- officio State librarian), $1,400; curator and stenographer, $960. Expenditures: Salaries, $2,360; stationery and postage, $159.44; in- cidentals, $33.05; museum, $29.01; library, $154.93; gallery, $52.31; furniture and fixtures, $323.25 ; railway fares, $7.58 ; hotel bills, $36.75. Housed in State capitol, seven rooms. Library, historical; State library, July 1, 1905, in custody of department of history. Museum comprised of antiquities of State — relics of Arikara and Sioux Indians, photographs, manuscripts, some private letters and papers. Newspapers of State preserved, some indexed. Research work chiefly, confined to the Sioux and Arikara Indians. The secre- tary responds to calls for lectures and addresses upon historical sub- jects ; delivered 54 public addresses during last biennial period. Pub- lications: Annual Review of the Progress of the State; Collections., biennially (2 vols.). Aims to cultivate State pride; serves as bureau of information; is permanent bureau for the census and vital statistics. 300 AMERICAN PIISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. Tennessee Historical Society^ Nashville^ Tenn. — Organized 1840 ; l^rivate corjDoration. Membership fees, $5 for first j'^ear, and $3 thereafter for active members. Endowment fund, $3,000. Annual income from all sources, $300. Hold nine meetings a year. No sal- aried officer. No building of its own. Total expenditures a year, $300. Maintains a library of historical books and works relating to Tennessee, comprising about 6,000 titles with card catalogue. Mu- seum is large and collection very valuable. About 100 oil portraits and many engravings. Many valuable manuscripts pertaining to State and nation. Large collection of old newspapers. Has no pub- lication. Effort is being made to get the legislature to build a hall of records in which society Avill find a home and the archives of the State will be filed. The Texas State Historical Association^ Austin^ Tex. — Organized March 2, 1892. Private corporation. Main source of support from membership dues; also sale of publications. Has had about $500 donated. From the amount received has saved $800 to be used as an endowment fund. Its present annual income from all sources is $1,000. Membership dues: Life, $30, or gifts of manuscrij)ts to that value; annual, $2. Meets annually. No salaried staff. Quarters in the State University building; rooms occupied by university offi- cials who are officers of the society. Expenditures about $875 — $700 for printing, $100 for stamps, $75 for stationery, etc. A library is maintained, in which are kept material pertaining to southern his- tory, and exchanges for the Quarterly. The collection is to be catalogued as part of the university library. Only a few historical relics. The manuscripts consist principally of letters of prominent actors in Texas history. ' The principal publication is the Texas His- torical Quarterly. Condition is quite hopeful, with a fair prospect of enlarged activity, Vermont Antiquarian Society, Burlington., Vt. — Organized August 13, 1897. Private corporation. MembershijD fees: Life, $25; an- nual, $3. Holds quarterly meetings, at which historical papers are presented. Library and relics uncatalogued. Has issued Proceed- ings and Pajyers, No. 1. Virginia Historiccd Society., Richmond., Va. — Organized December 29, 1831, chartered March 10, 1834. Private corporation. Endow- ment fund $4,600, accumulated entirely from dues and sales of publi- cations, except $100 from Daughters of American Revolution. The last report showed annual income to be $4,289.81. Life membership dues, $50; annual, $5. A committee of the society holds monthly meetings; the society, annual. There is a salaried staff, but salaries not specified. The society owns its building, a three-story and base- ment brick. Total expenditures, as shown by last report, $3,763.14. The library contains historical and miscellaneous collections, esti- EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTOEICAL SOCIETIES. 301 mated at 10,400 titles. Card system used. The museum contains portraits, views, manuscripts, relics, etc. There are a number of newspapers and several volumes of colonial period. The society issues The Virginia Magazine of History and Biografliy ^ also Reports of annual meetings. The aim of the society is to collect, preserve, and render easily accessible to investigators everything that may help to illustrate Virginia history. Washington State Historical /Society, Tacoma, Wash. — Founded October 8, 1891. Incorporated October 8, 1896. State institution. Suj^port, one State appropriation of $1,000; membership fees, $2 annually; life members, $25. Membership: Annual, life, correspond- ing, honorary. Meetings, annual, with public addresses. Housed in city hall, one room. No library. No museum. Small collection of manuscripts. About 120 newspapers of the State received. Pub- lications, a Quarterly^ of which two volumes were published in 1901-2. Reorganizing in 1906, and reported to be " taking on new life." W ashington University State Historical Society, Seattle, Wash. — • Incori^orated January 1, 1903. Support, membership fees, active $2, life $25. Membership, active and life. No salaried officers. Housed by the State University of Washington. Annual expenditure, about $500. Meetings, four each year. Library, consisting of local, North- western, and Alaskan history. The society has erected several monu- inents commemorative of historical events. Wisconsin Archaeological Society, Milwaukee, Wis. — Organized in 1899, reorganized and incorporated in 1903, " for the purpose of secur- ing the preservation and encouraging the study of Wisconsin antiqui- ties." Is awakening an interest in their educational and other values, securing the preservation of Wisconsin mounds and sites, conducting surveys and researches, establishing a bureau of record where manu- scripts, maps, and other matter relating to the archaeological history of the State is preserved ; encouraging the assembling of collections in the educational institutions of the State; providing for the dis- tribution of its publications to these; discouraging commercialism and the manufacture and sale of fraudulent antiquities, and advo- cating the establishment of a chair of American archeology at the University of Wisconsin and courses in archaeology at other State colleges. Co-operates wdth the educational and historical institutions and societies of the State; has a present membership of 500, about 150 of these members 230ssessing collections, these including some of the richest private cabinets in the State. Life membership, $25 ; annual, $1. Present annual income, about $1,000. Monthly public meetings are held for presentation of paj^ers and the making of exhibits, also occasional informal students' meetings. The Wisconsin Archaeologist, quarterly, is now published under State auspices. Four volumes have been issued. Occasional research papers may soon be 302 AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. issued. Has a small working library, and a traveling librarj?^ to be circulated by the Wisconsin Free Library Commission is being assembled. Has no present intention of organizing an archaeological museum of its own, such collections as it receives and possesses being deposited in various State institutions, with a view to encouraging them to acquire representative local collections. Sitate Historical Society of Wisconsin^ Madison^ Wis. — Organized,' 1849; reorganized, 1853; trustee of the State, holding all property in trust for the State, but with privilege of selling or exchanging duplicates; the governor, secretary of state, and State treasurer are exofficio members of the executive committee. The societj'^'s income is derived principally from State appropriations, which aggregate about $32,000 annually — $20,000 direct, and the balance indirect; in addition to this income, it receives dues from its 500 members ($2 annual, $20 life) and occasional gifts and bequests. Its endowment funds (the product of membership fees, gifts, and sale of duplicates) aggregate some $53,000, the income of which is used to eke out State approjoriations, which are insufficient for the growing work of the society. Meetings are held annually in October at Madison — the afternoon being devoted to a business session and the evening to the presentation of historical paj)ers; occasional field meetings are held in other cities of the State to awaken local interest. There are about 35 emj)loyees, of whom 20 are on the library staff, the others being care takers; the aggregate pay roll is about $20,000. The society occupies its own building, erected by the State, at a cost of $610,000. Under its roof are also housed the libraries of the University of Wis- consin (140,000 titles), and the A¥isconsin Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters (5,000 titles). The society's present total expenditures for all purposes aggregate about $34,000, of which about $20,000 is for salaries, $5,000 for books, $5,000 for printing and binding, and $4,000 for miscellaneous purposes. The society's library, which is in effect the miscellaneous State library, contains 280,000 titles (books and pamphlets) . It is probably the most important reference library west of the Alleghenies. While aiming to be a general collection for scholars, it is strongest in the fields of Americana, English history, political science, economics, geograj)hy, cartography, newspaper files, and American genealogy, and includes a large collection of Shake- speariana. It is resorted to by scholars and special investigators from all parts of the West and South, and its reading rooms are daily thronged by professors and students of the State University of Wis- consin, to whom the collections are freely accessible. The library is classified on a modification of the Cutter expansive system, and is thoroughly catalogued on typewritten cards. A large museum is maintained, occupying the fourth story of the building. There is a large collection of western (especially Wisconsin) historical jjor- EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 303 traiture in oils, a general art collection (including many Piranesi etchings, Arundel prints, Japanese color prints, and historical can- vases), and considerable disjjlays of colonial relics and western arch- aeological specimens. The manuscripts are very extensive, the chief collections being the Draper Manuscrij^ts (400 folio volumes), Wis- consin fur-trade papers (200 volumes), Kemper papers, and Phillips Manuscri]ots (English) ; all, save the last named, relate chieflj'- to the Middle West during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. News- paper files are preserved and bound, the collection (chiefly American) , now numbering some 15,000 volumes, being next in extent and impor- tance to that of the Library of Congress. The society is not as yet the official custodian of the State archives, but some of the early census reports are stored in its library. The society co-operates with the history department of the University of Wisconsin and advises advanced students in research work, occasionallj^ publishing the results. It also stimulates its own members to research, the results being presented in papers read at annual or field meetings. No archaeological field work is done, this being now performed by the Wisconsin Archaeological Society; but several archaeological papers have been published in the past. The society's publications consist chiefly of Wisconsin Historical Collections (biennial, of which IT volumes have been jDublished), Class Lists (occasional), Portrait Gal- lery Catalogue (triennial). Annual Reports^ Bulletins of Informa- tion (occasional, some 30 having thus far appeared), and special occasional publications. The best account of the society and its his- tory may be found in its Memorial Volufne (1901). The present condition and prospects were never better ; within the past year there has been a large increase of membership, the present number being GOO. Local Societies. ALABAMA. Iherville Historical Society, Mobile, Ala. — Organized October 19, j 1901. Private corporation. Has about 18 members. Not less than i ten meetings annually. The amount expended varies from $20 to ;' $100. Papers are usually read and discussed. The library contains about 300 volumes, kept in the Y. M. C. A. building, catalogued \ under Dewey classification. The collection is especially rich in ; Mobile history. ' Old St. Stephens Historical Society, St. Stephens, Ala. — Organ- ized January 19, 1899. Private corporation entirely. Onlj^ source of support, membership fees. Provision for membership, annual only. Holds meetings annually. Has no salaried staff, no building of its own, no library, no museum or art collection, no manuscript collections. Collects and preserves Washington County (Ala.) 304 AMERICAN" HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. papers. The publications of the society consist of circulars and occasional broadsides and contributions of members to local papers. Reports annually to the Alabama Department of Archives and His- tory. Its work has not been commensurate with its opportunities, but its leaders promise greater activity in the future. CALIFORNIA. Historical Society of Southern. California^ Los Angeles^ Gal. — Established November 1, 1883. Private corporation. Support: Membership fees, admission $2; annual dues, $3; life, $100. Mem- bership : Annual, life, corresponding, honorary ; 50 members. Pres- ent income, $200. Meetings are held monthly at residences of mem- bers; reading of papers, music, and discussions. Free use of rooms in county court-house. No salaries paid. Expenditures: Publica- tions, $150 ; postage, express, books, etc., $50. Library of 5,000 titles, local history, pamphlets, and newspapers; j^artially catalogued and numbered. Nearly continuous files of Los Angeles newspapers since 1854; files of seven southern counties. Small collection of historical relics, pictures, photographs, etc. Manuscripts of Spanish, Mexican, and early American Period. Publications: Six volumes, containing the Sutro collection of original documents on early California his- tory, found in Seville. CONNECTICUT. Bridgeport Scientific and Historical Society., Bridgeport., Conn. — Organized June, 1899. Annual dues, $5. Owns building valued at $125,000, the gift of P. T. Barnum. Library of about 1,500 vol- umes, uncatalogued ; collections of local newspapers and Govern- ment documents. The historical section has been embarrassed in its work by lack of money ; this is now being remedied. Middlesex County Historical Society^ Middletoion^ Conn. — Incor- porated 1901 ; present membership 108 ; annual dues, $2 ; annual income $400 to $450, derived from the. interest on endowment fund of $6,000 and membership dues. Monthlj'^ meetings are held from Octo- ber to June, at which papers are read on some historical subject. The society has the nucleus of a library and a number of articles suitable for a museum, but has yet no permanent home, occupies rented quarters. The main object of the society is to perpetuate the mem- ories of the past and to collect and preserve historical relics. Publi- cations have so far been limited to an annual pamphlet containing the reports of the president, secretary, and treasurer. New Haven Colony Historical Society., New Haven., Conn. — Pri- vate corporation of 400 members. Average annual income $2,500. Historical papers usually presented at eight meetings during the REPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 305 year. Library of 7,000 books and 7,000 pamphlets, especially useful for study of local history and genealogy. Card catalogue in use, but manuscripts and other documents remain uncataloguecl. Has pub- lished G volumes: Pajyers, 1865-1900; Reports. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columhia.— Organized December 7, 1865. Private corporation. Membership fees only source of support. Monthly meetings are held. No sal- aried staff. Apartments in the Corcoran Building, a bequest of its former owner. Has a small library and some valuable manuscripts, relating ^principally to the District of Columbia. In a very flourish- ing condition. No pub'iiTitions are issued. Columhia Historical Society^ Washington.^ D. C. — Organized 1894. Private corporation. Annual membership fee, $5 ; 277 members. Seven meetings annually, mainly devoted to the District of Columbia. One thousand volumes and as many pamphlets in library; a few man- uscripts, maps, and engravings. The society is arranging the early city records; possesses materials for the history of local families; has published 6 volumes of Proceedings. FLORIDA. St. Augustine Institute of Science and Historiccd Society., St. Augustine., Fla. — Founded in 1884. Private corporation. Member- ship fees : Life, $25 ; annual, $1. Meetings are held once a month. Only salaried officer, curator of museum, who receives $4 per week. Has a building of five rooms for museum, and room for meeting and library in Free Library building. Library is mainly along historical and scientific lines; about 300 books and pamphlets. Present pros- pects are good. ILLINOIS. Chamjmign County Historical Society., Urhana., III. — Incorporated, 1899. Income derived from '' voluntary gifts." Annual meetings, with " written papers and volunteer remarks." Society is " not very aggressive or vigorous, for want of general interest." Chicago Historical Society., Chicago., III. — Organized, 1855. Mem- bership fees: Life, $500; annual, $25. Endowment, about $96,000; owns building worth $185,000. Monthly meetings from October to May, devoted chiefly to local history. Salaried staff; catalogued library of 100,000 volumes on local history; manuscripts, including the Madison, Polk and Wilkinson Papers, and many documents relat- ing to the French occupation of Illinois ; good files of Chicago news- papers. Museum of local relics, portraits, statues, etc. Issues Reports H. Doc. 923, 59-1 20 306 AMERICAISr HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION".' of annual, quarterly, and special meetings (1863-1906), including addresses and papers delivered at these meetings; Collections^ four volumes, embracing Flower's History of the English. Settlement in Edwards County, III.; Reid, Biographical Sl'ctch of Enoch Long; Ninian Edwards'^s Paj^ers; Mason's Early Chicago and Illinois. Evanston Historical Society, Evanston, III. — Organized, 181)8. Membership fees: life, $25; annual, $1. Two or three meetings a year of popular character. Library of 250 volumes, sheltered in public library. Annual Reports at intervals; lectures appear in the Bulletin. Historical Society of Quincy, III. — Incorporated in 1896. Present annual income, $100, wholly from membership fees (life, $10; annual $1). Meetings three times yearly, chiefly routine. Housed gratis in Chamber of Commerce building. No library, but its small collection of relics is quartered in public library building; a few manuscripts of local interest have been collected. Publications : History of Adams County, III.; History of Quincy. McLean County Historical Society, Blooniington, III. — Organized 1892, incorporated 1899 ; 100 members ; ' county furnishes room in court-house, and purchases publications for school use. Has library of 300 volumes. Museum of several hundred objects. Transactions McLean County Historical Society, 3 voliunes. Pioneer Association of Will County, Joliet, III. — About 600 mem- bers; annual meeting in September. Society does not collect his- torical material. Whiteside County Historical Society, Sterling, III. — Organized in January, 1903 ; a private corporation seeking a charter from State. Is a new society, having room in city hall ; library of 500 volumes with autographs and manuscripts; museum of local and general curios. Files of current newspapers. Holds occasional meetings. Good local interest. INDIANA. liannilton County Historical Society, Nohlesville, Ind. — Organized in September, 1900. Annual fee, 25 cents. Interest waning tempo- rarily; tendency to become wholly a social organization. No histori- cal material beyond a few relics. Northern Indiana: Historical Society, South Bend, Ind. — Eight meetings annually, characterized by reading and discussion of papers. Library without card catalogue; number of titles, 7,419. Collections of historical, scientific, State, and municii3al publications; also of United States documents. Issued by society: Puhlications and Papers. Old Settlers and Historical Association of LaJce County, Crown Point, Ind. — Organized July 24, 1875, Membership fees small. An- EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 307 niial meeting in August, of a social and literary character. Small museum illustrating pioneer life and natural history. Has published Semicentennial History^ 18-14; also 21 annual Reports. Attendance and interest good; room promised for museum. Wayne County Historical Society, Eichmoncl, Ind. — Organized, 1882; reorganized, 1901. Annual membership only. Holds quar- terly meetings of business and literary character. Occupies rooms in county court-house. Has small library, listed but not catalogued ; small museum illustrating pioneer life; some files local newspapers. Conducts field work in geology and archaeology. Publishes selected papers in annual pamphlets. Condition good. IOWA. Decatur County Historical Society, Lamoni, Iowa. — Organized September 14, 1901. Constitution and bj^-laws adopted. Library, about 200 volumes. Efforts are made to collect biographical sketches and other data relative to early local history. Historical Society of Linn County, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. — Organ- ized March 31, 1904. Constitution and by-laws printed. Purpose — to collect and preserve material relative to the history of Linn County and of the State of Iowa. Support, membership fees, $2 annually. Membership, active and honorary. Meetings, annual and special ; business and reading of papers. Has a room in the Free Public Library building at Cedar Eapids, in which meetings will be held and library and collections preserved. Will publish Collections and Proceedings; one number of latter issued. Lucas County Historical Society, Chariton, loioa. — Organized June 10, 1901. The first county historical society in Iowa. Consti- tution and by-laws printed. Supported by membership fees; annual, 50 cents; life, $10. Has a room in the public library building at (Chariton. Meetings, annual and special, for business and reading !of papers. Madison County Hlstoriccd Society, Winterset, Iowa. — Organized March 15, 1904. Purpose, to collect and preserve materials relative to the history of Madison County. Membership, active and life. Meetings, annual and special, for business and reading of papers. Papers read before the society are usually published in the local news- papers. Library and collection to be housecl in public library build- ing. KENTUCKY. Filson Cluh, Louisville, Ky. — Organized 1884. There are about 400 paying members. About $1,200 a year expended for printing its publications. All other expenses are gratuitously met by the president. Nine monthly meetings are held. Papers are generally 308 AMEEICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. read at the club, but not exclusively confined to historical subjects. Each year from the papers read, one is selected for publication. The club meets in the library of the president, Col. Reuben T. Durrett. which contains about 50,000 volumes. It has no library of its own. MAINE. Eliot Historical Society^ Eliot^ Me. — Holds monthly meetings. Supported hj fees of 50 members and contributions; 2G0 volumes in library. Has published 6 volumes of the Quarterly., containing local history and proceedings, and several pamphlets. York Institute^ Saco^ Me. — Organized January 23, 1867. Private corporation. Has customary provisions for membership. Holds three or four meetings annuall}^ Owns building encumbered with mortgage. Annual budget, about $1,020. Has uncatalogued his- torical library estimated at 6,000 titles, including old documents and newspaper files. Maintains museum of local history, and portrait gallery. Work of the institute seriously delayed by debt, and there- fore limited to collecting and storing of material. MARYLAND. Historical Society of Harford County., Md. — Organized on Sep- tember 26, 1885. Membership dues, $2 per annum. Receives occa- sional donations. Present annual income between $40 and $50. | Members must be residents of Harford County, or formerly resident, , prior to 1810. Meetings are held quarterly ; general discussion, and | usually the reading of papers on historical subjects. No salaried jj staff. No building of its own, but holds meetings in court-house, and occupies rooms belonging to the county. Yearly expenditures from $10 to $15. Maintains a library, not classified, and has a cabinet of interesting relics. Manuscript collection consists of papers read be- fore the society and all old historical materials. Occasionally public addresses are given. A year book was published in 1899. A history ^ of Harford County is in course of publication. '■ MASSACHUSETTS. Bedford Historical Society., Bedford., Mass. — Organized April 12,, 1893. Life membership fee, $25; annual, $1. Occupies rooms in' Public Library. Has books, papers, and articles of local interest, notably the flag carried by Bedford minutemen in the battle of Con- cord. Holds annual meeting on Patriot's Day, April 19. Has pub- lished Flag of the Minutemen. Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society., Plttsfield., Mass. — I Membership fee, $1. Library consolidated with Berkshire Athe- 1 nseum. Quarterly meetings devoted to local history. Ten numbers of the Collections have appeared. EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 309 ■ Beverly Hhtorieal Society, Beverly^ Mass. — Organized April 15, 1891. Membership fees: Life, $25; annual, $2. Occupies a colonial building received b}^ bequest, valued at $G,000. Diaries of Revolu- tionary soldiers, autog-raph collections, and autiques of local interest preserved. Publications : Rejyort of the Gouncil, 2 volumes ; Pro- medings (189G), Bostonian Society, Boston, Mass. — One thousand one hundred members. Building leased from the city. Annual expenditures, $4,000. Seven monthl}^ meetings during the _vear. Library of 2,000 volumes and many pamphlets pertaining to local history. The so- ciet}^ has also collections of municipal documents, local newspapers, and relics. BrooMine Historical Society, Brooldine, Mass. — Incorporated 1901. Members, 150; eight meetings each year, devoted chiefly to local history; has a small library. The society has published 4 Annual Reports and 3 other volumes. Camhridge Historical Society, Camhridge, Mass. — Incorporated in 1905. Has about 200 members, tlie constitutional limit ($1 admission, $2 annually). Meets in hall in public school, has neither library nor museum. Although newly organized there is '' already a waiting list and much interest is shown by members among whom are the leading citizens of Cambridge. Some early records of the town government and of the First Church will probably be published under its direc- tion or at its suggestion. We expect to do active and effective work," The society conducted on December 21, 190-5, the celebration of the two hundred and seventy-fifth anniversar}^ of the founding of Cam- bridge. Cape Ann Scientific and Literary Association, Gloucester, Mass. — Organized, 1875; life membership fee, $25; initiation, $2; annual, $1. Owns building worth $12,000. ' Monthly meetings, with oc- casional field days. Catalogued library and museum, historical, and scientific. Condition excellent ; expects to publish soon. Clinton Historical Society, Clinton, Mass. — Organized 189-4; char- tered, 1903. Holds quarterly meetings of corporation; monthly meetings for historical purposes. Admission fee, $5 ; women, $2 ; annual dues, $1. Commodious building recentlj^ completed; endow- ment provided. Dedham Historical Society, Dedham, Mass. — Membership, 127; owns building valued at $15,000. Nine meetings per year. Library has card catalogue, 4,000 books, and about 7,000 pamphlets of local history and genealogy; many volumes of Norfolk County news- papers ; manuscripts in form of diaries and record books. Quai'terly publication, the Dedham Historical Register, 13 volumes. Essex Institute, Salem, Mass. — Succes^sor (1848) of the Essex His- torical Society (1821). Life membership fee, $50; annual, $3; en- 310 AMERICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. dowment fund, about $200,000; owns building worth $75,000; num- ber of members, 690. Conducts two lecture courses; field meetings during summer; salaried staff. Library of 400,000 titles, including 250,000 pamphlets; 3,800 bound volumes of newspapers, especially strong for period before 1800. Manuscripts, 700 folio volumes on various phases of local history; excellent collection United States documents; historical museum and art collection. A special library of 2,000 volumes, relating to China and the Chinese, in continental languages. Publications : Historical Collections^ Bvlletins, Proceed- ings^ Annual Reports, etc. Fitclibvrgh Historical Society, Fitchlnirg, Mass. — Organized 1892^ sustained by fees, assessments, gifts, and sale of publications, Monthly meetings from October to May; library, housed by th librarian, consists of 1,000 books and 2,500 pamphlets, onl}^ the former of these being catalogued. Manuscripts of churches, court, sessions, and societies of the town ; also a small art collection. Pub lications: Fitcliburg Town Records, 6 volumes; Proceedings, 3 vol umes. The work suffers from lack of facilities. Hyde Park Historiccd Society, Hyde Park, Mass. — Organized 1887; 150 members; life-membership fee, $15; annual, $1. From three to six meetings annually. Catalogued library of 2,000 titles of general interest. Annual publication, Hyde Park Historical Rec- ord. Interest and attendance good. Ipswich Historical Society, Ipswich, Mass. — -Organized April 14, 1890. Membership fees; Life, $50; annual, $2. Occupies ancient Whij^ple House. Has library and museum of local history and Indian relics. Issues an Annual Report. Lexington Historical Society, Boston, Mass. — Owns the Hancoci^- Clarke House; holds six meetings annually; possesses collection of old books and pamphlets, about 175 in all; incomplete files of news- papers. Card catalogue of publications and relics. Manuscripts and sermons of Jonas Clarke; other material on local history; has published 3 volumes of Proceedings. Lowell Historical Society, Lowell, Mass. — Incorporated May 21, 1902, succeeding Old Residents'' Historical Association. Ts a private corporation; life membership fee, $50; annual, $2; corresponding and honorary members elected irrespective of residence. Holds four regular meetings annually, also special meetings. Owns no build- ing, but occupies rooms without charge in city library; has no sala- ried staff. Offers public lectures at intervals. Library of 200 books and 700 pamphlets of general historical interest, listed but not cata- logued ; small museum, a few manuscripts, and several volumes of old newspapers. Publication, Contributions. Condition good, but society needs building and permanent fund. EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 311 Maiden Historical Society, Maiden, Mass. — Organized 1887 ; life- membership fee, $25 ; annual, $1. Meetings in private houses, eight annually. About 150 books in library; offers monthly lectures. Work crippled by changing character of population during last decade, causing decline in interest and funds. Med f eld Historical Society, Medfield, Mass. — Incorporated 1891 ; admission fee, $2; annual, $1. Monthly meetings from October to June, Avith annual field day. Small library, not wholly accessible; collection of antiques and Indian relics, old maps, sermons, and a few newspapers; Vital Records of Medfield in 1850; History of Medfleld, 1650-1850, prepared by a member ; complete copy of cemetery inscrip- tions; account of Medfield's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary in 1901. Pressing need for suitable room. Members contribute to Dedham Hlstoriccd Register. Med ford Historical Society, Med ford, Mass. — Organized 1896. Membership fees: Life, $25; admission, $3; annual, $1. Owns build- ing costing $4,500 ; meets monthly from October to May. Library, uncatalogued, 2,000 titles; several collections of papers, relics, and antiques of local interest. Historical Register, a quarterly periodical. Condition encouraging. Methuen Historical Society, Metliuen, Mass. — Organized 1895; annual dues, $1 ; occupies an old mansion, rent free. Small library, catalogued; collection of antiques; manuscripts of colonial and Revo- lutionary periods. Condition excellent. Middlesex County Historical Society, Boston, Mass. — Holds monthly meetings from October to June, each characterized b}^ read- ing of historical paper after business session. Books and pamphlets now stored awaiting proper arrangement in suitable quarters. Old Colony Historical Society, Taunton, Mass. — Organized 1853. Number life members, 295 ; honorary, 28 ; corresponding, 101 ; resi- dent, 246 ; total, 670. Has building valued at $15,000. Holds four meetings each year, at which historical matters are discussed ; also commemorative assemblies on appropriate occasions. Library of 6,000 titles, local history and genealogy ; early municipal and county records; nearly all local newspapers since 1820, with some files of Boston papers. Library entirely catalogued. Good manuscript col- lection for civil, ecclesiastical, and militarv history of Taunton. Seven volumes of Collections issued. Old South Historical Society, Boston, Mass. — Organized 1891 ; in- corporated 1901. Private corporation, auxiliary to Old South Meet- ing House. Terms of membership, competition for Old South prizes; life membership, $50; annual, $2. Holds nine monthly meetings, at which historical papers or addresses are presented. Rents rooms for meetings only; no salaried staff; has neither library nor collections of 312 " AMEHICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. any sort. Publishes Old South Leafets. The members give, free ilhistrated lectures on historical subjects at the public schools, educa- tional centers, college settlements, and boys' clubs. Peabody Historical Society^ Peahody^ Mass. — Organized August 15, 1896. Private corporation. Membership fees : Admission, $1 ; annual dues, $1. Holds quarterly meetings, one of which is a field meeting; also winter course of monthly meetings. Catalogued library of 2,000 titles; old files of local newspapers; manuscripts, including letters, sermons, autographs, and burial ground inscrip- tions. Publishes pamphlets on local history, also postal cards and photographs of local views. Pommituck Valley MeinoTial Association.^ Deerfield.^ Mass. — Owns building and grounds, valued at $35,000. One annual meeting and onej field meeting each year. Library of 15,000 volumes, chiefly on local] history. Many family manuscripts. History and Proceedings^ four, volumes, j)nblished. Rehohoth Antiquarian Society., Rehohoth., Mass.- — Organized 1884. Private corporation; sustained by fees of members. Annual income estimated at $300; owns frame building worth $14,000. Has small library, and a museum of antiquarian relics. Has a few ncAvspaper files. Condition good. Rum.ford Historical Association.^ Woljurn, Mass. — Organized 1877; private corporation. Admission fee, $1 ; endowment fund, $2,200. Holds annual meetings; occupies an old manse. Has library of per- haps 1,500 volumes; uncatalogued, and of general interest. Main- tains a small museum; offers occasional public lectures. Condition and prospects good,. Sharon Historical Society, Shao'on, Mass.- — Incorporated Septem- ber 11, 1903. Membership fee, $1. Over 200 members in a town of 2,000 inhabitants. Holds quarterly meetings in Town Hall. Nine historical rambles in 1905. Keeps a scrapbook of local history; three volumes bound. Is gathering materials for a library and museum. Has issued Annual Publications, Nos. 1 and 2; also ad- dress delivered in 1802 by a Revolutionary soldier. Shej^ard Historical Society, Canibridge, Mass. — Organized March, 1889, by " persons who attend the First Church in Cambridge, Con- gregational," organized in 1C36. Members pay $1 initiation and $1 annual dues. Total annual income, $25 to $50, mostly spent for books. Meetings are held in the chapel. The library consists of 700 books and pamphlets, catalogued in long hand ; the manuscripts are chiefly sermons of pastors. Lectures are given three times each year on the history of Cambridge, its First Church, and kindred sub- jects. The society is a member of the Bay State Historical League. A part of its work will hereafter be taken up by the Cambridge BEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 313 Historical Society, "but there is left a limited field, mainly in con- nection with the history of the First Church/"' Somerville Historical Society^ Somenrille^ Mass. — Organized 1897. A private corporation. Sustained by dues and gifts. Membership fees: Life, $15; annual, $1. Meetings for reading of historical papers, usually ten each winter. Society headquarters in public library. Annual expenditures, $250. Uncatalogued library «of 500 volumes, chiefly on local history; museum of antiques; a few manu- scripts; collects all local newspapers. Publications: Historic Leaves^ quarterl}^; ^4 History of SoTnerville Journalisin' Souvenir Hcmd- hooh of Historic Festival^ 1898. Historical^ Natural History^ and Library Society^ South Natick^ Mass. — Organized 1870. Annual members' dues, $1. The museum of natural history specimens and historical relics is housed gratis in a room provided for by the will of Oliver Bacon; the library, chiefly United States government documents, is loaned to the Bacon Free Library. There are " a lot of old manuscripts," and the local papers are kept. "About a dozen people are interested, and attend the meetings." Topsfeld Historical Society, Topsfield, Mass. — Private corporation,, organized December 14, 1894. Meetings held five times a year, at which papers are read. Expenditures are $200 per year, for print- ing. A small library of historical material has been collected, and there is a small historical and general museum. Occasionally public lectures are ofi^ered. The society has an endowment fund of $700, and anticipates owning an old dwelling house erected in 1686. The energies thus far have been devoted to publishing Historical Collec- tions, of which 10 annual volumes have been issued. Historical Society of Watertown, Watertoion, Mass. — Organized 1891. Membership fees : Life, $20 ; admission, $2 ; annual, $1. Six regular meetings annually, in homes of members. Building fund is being raised and some pioneer work accomplished. Three vol- innes of town records, including births, marriages, and deaths to 1820 published ; material for two others ready, of v/hich the fourth will be issued in 1906. Westhorough Historical Society, Westborotigh, Mass. — Incor- porated in 1889 as private corporation. Annual fee, $1. Holds six meetings annually of literary and social character. Occupies rented quarters. Has library of 1,500 volumes, chiefl}^ in biography arid genealogy, catalogued, but not with cards. Maintains small museum of household articles, portraits, etc. ; some ecclesiastical manuscripts; 80 volumes early newspapers. Publications: Diary of E. Parhman; Story of the Cotton Gin; Tin Kitchin. Has dedi- cated monuments to Rice brothers and Eli Whitney. Prosperous condition. 314 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. I Worceste?^ Society of Antiquity, Worcester, Mass. — Instituted Jan- uary 23, 1875; chartered, 1877; a private corporation. Terms of membership : Life, $50 ; active, $3 annually. Historical papers read at monthly meetings. Owns brick building and real estate valued at $50,000; employs librarian and secretary; expends annually $1,200. Library of 55,000 titles, classified, but not catalogued; about 35,000 pamph'lets. Greatest strength along historical and genealogical lines. Museum illustrates Indian, colonial, Revolutionary, and civil war epochs; also miscellaneous material, about 6,000 pieces, inclu- sive. Good collection of United States documents, but few newspa- pers. Has issued 20 volumes of Proceedings. No debts, and $11,000 invested ; condition best since founding of society. MICHIGAN. Oakland County Pioneer Society, Pontiac, Mich. — Organized 1874 ; unincorporated. No fees; sustained by private donations. Semi- annual meetings of a social character. No library; no collections beyond accumulation of notices for scrapbooks of local history. MISSOURI. i! Kansas City Historical Society, Kansas City, Mo. — Organized 1896, by pioneers residing in Kansas City and vicinity for thirty or more years. Monthly meetings in public library, where its records and collections are kept. " The object of this association shall be to keep a record of the early settlers and of all members of this associa- tion; to collect, embody, arrange, and preserve books, pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, jDapers, paintings, statuary, and preserve and keep photographs of its members and of iho, old landmarks in Kansas City and vicinity ; to procure from the early pioneers narra- tives of the events relative to its early settlement, overland travel, and immigration; to gather all information calculated to faithfully exhibit the past and present "progress of Kansas City and vicinity, and to take steps to promote the same by lectures and other means, and in all appropriate matters to advance the interests and perpetuate the memory of those whose sagacity, energy, and enterprise induced them to settle in Kansas City and become the founders and builders of a great city." NEW HAMPSHIRE. Manchester Historic Association, Manchester, N. H. — Organizer!, 1896 ; life-membership fee, $25 ; annual, $1 ; 300 members. Quarterly meetings; library of 200 volumes; complete set city documents. Hasf published 4 volumes of Collections and Early Proprietors'' Records. Outlook is brifiht. REPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 315 NEW JERSEY, Hunterdon County Historical Society, Flemington, N. J. — Organ- ized in 1885 ; incorporated in 1898. A private corporation with active membership restricted to Hunterdon County. Present membership, 11, at $1 per 3''ear, the fee furnishing the only income. Annual meet- ing at Flemington on second Saturday in January; with summer meeting elsewhere, at which papers of local interest are presented. No salaries are paid, annual expenditures being but $35 ; The Jersey- meii, a local historical paper (" published by the recording secretary and librarian as a hobby "), was, until it suspension in spring of 1906, sent to each member. Library consists of about 500 titles, principally New Jersey history and genealogy; 14 country newspapers are con- tributed by publishers for filing, but are as yet unbound and inaccessi- ble. A catalogue is planned on the Dewey sj^stem of classification. There is neither museum nor art collection, but relics of local interest are boxed and stored ; no manuscripts, save a lot of parchment deeds, etc., relating to local properties. " The society hopes eventuallv to arrange for a building in Flemington, the ground floor to be used for the town or township public library, the upper floor for the society. Our library is a lending library for members of the society and a reference library in connection with the public library of the town." A^ew Brunswick Historical Cluh, New Brunswick, N. J. — Organ- ized November 18, 1870. Private corj)oration. Membership fee, $1 initiation and $1 annually. Associate members from New Brunswick and vicinity; honorary members from outside of Middlesex and Somerset counties, N. J. Holds monthly meetings, a paper on the local history of New Brunswick being read and discussed thereat. No salaried staff; expenditures are merely for running expenses. Li- brary consists of pamphlets and manuscripts of papers read; no mu- seum or art collection. Fairly prosperous in point of interest and attendance. New England, Society of Orange, Orange, N. J. — Organized, 1870. Private corporation. Membership fees: L^ie, $50; initiation, $5; annual, $5. Holds monthly meetings; does not own building. His- torical library, uncataloguecl, 2,000 titles. No museum or manuscript collections; files of two local newspapers. Public lectures occasion- ally offered on historical toj)ics. Passaic County Historical Society, Paterson, N . J . — Organized, 1877. Private corporation. Moribund for nearl}^ twenty years past. Princeton (TV. /.) Historical Association. — Organized in 1900. Membership fees are $2 per annum. There is also a guarantee fund, 10 men subscribing not to exceed $100 per year. A general editor is employed on part time. The expenditures in 1905 were $800. Meet- ings are held and library deposited in Princeton University library. 316 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION". The society lias issued several special publications: Journal and Let- ters of Philij) Vickers Fifhian, 1767-1774, edited by John Roger Williams ; Poems of Philip Freneau, edited by Fred Lewis Pattee, in . 3 volumes. Several others in preparation. " It is, in effect, a pub- lishing society in a flourishing condition." jSale)n County Historical /Society, Salem, N. J. — Organized No- vember 11, 1884. Private corporation. Membership fees: Admis- sion, $1 ; annual, $1 ; life, $20. Quarterly meetings, at which histori- cal papers are read. Society rents room in colonial house ; expects to receive same house as gift. Has small collection deeds and wills, pictures, antique furniture, and a few books, with local newspapers beginning 1830. Is maintaining existence amidst rural county con- ditions. Vineland Historical and. Antiquarian Society, Vineland, N. J. — Organized 1864; reorganized 1893. Private corporation. Member- ship fees: Life, $10; annual, $1. Public meetings for reading of jDapers and addresses monthly from October to April. Owns build- ing; has reference library of 7,300 volumes and 2,000 pamphlets, with card catalogue. Small collection of relics, manuscripts, and newspapers pertaining to local history. Has published A7inual Re- forts and occasional j:)ieces. Prospects good. NEW YORK. Alha^iy Institute and Historical and Art Society, Albany, N. T. — Membership of 500, who provide for its expenses; owns a building worth about $30,000. Library of 8,000 titles relating to Albany authors and local history, in charge of a curator; catalogue in book form. Manuscripts of J. Fennimore Cooper and others; interest- ing collections pertaining to Dutch, colonial, and Indian history. 1 Publications comprise a catalogue of Albany Authors, and Transac- tions covering a century, Buffalo Historical Society, Buffalo, N. Y. — Incorporated 1862; owns building valued at $200,000, erected during the Pan-American Exposition of 1901 ; receives municipal aid of $5,000 per year and incidental expenses; small income from other sources. Life member- ship fee, $100; annual, $5. Meetings vary in number and character, and include free public lectures and entertainments. The library of 16,000 volumes relates largely to western New York, is catalogued, and in charge of a regular staff; open to the public. Custodian of the Lord Library, 11,000 volumes. Museum of pioneer and Indian life. Manuscripts of Ilolland Land Company, F. A. van der Kemp, early presidents, local settlers, soldiers of 1812. early traffic on the Great Lakes, etc. Publications in annual volumes. Condition ex- cellent. EEPOKT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTOEICAL SOCIETIES. 317 City History Cluh, Neiv York. — Organized 1898. Fees : Founders, $100 ; life membersliip, $10 ; contributors, $2 ; annual, 50 cents. Work conducted by superintendent, secretary, and teachers, and committees • classes meet in fifty settlements, missions, and schools. Publishes pamphlets, leaflets, a song, and an historical game — all designed to promote interest in local history among children and older persons. Has no library. Historical Society of Neiohurgh Bay and the Highlands^ Neio- hurgh^ N. Y. — Organized 1883. Membership fees : Life, 25 ; an- nual, $2; has a small collection of books. Membership, 116; interest good ; has published twelve pamphlets. Holland Society of New York, New York City. — Organized, 1885 ; 880 members ; initiation fee, $5 ; annual fee, $5. Occupies rented ■quarters, and employs assistance for treasurer and secretary. Li- brary of genealogical and local interest; manuscripts of church rec- ords — use limited to members. Publishes a Year Book. Jefferson County Historical Society.^ Waiertoton, N. Y. — Organ- ized 1886 ; life-membership fee, $25 ; annual, $2. Occupies room in Flower Memorial Library. One annual meeting for business pur- poses, literary meetings at call of board. Librarj^ in connection with Flower Library; museum of local history. Reorganization recently effected; membership increasing. Johnstoion Historical Society, Johnstoton, N. Y. — Organized May 30, 1892. Membership fees: Life, $25; annual, $1. Housed free by Board of Trade. Monthly meetings; library of 250 books; small museum of local history. Offers occasional public lectures. Has printed a Guide to places of historic interest. Livingston County Historical Society, Geneseo, N. Y. — Organized, 1877. Life-membership fee, $10 ; annual, $1. Occupies a log cabin ; has no library, but preserves local newspapers; observes centennials of campaigns and treaties ; marks historic sites. Publishes an annual report and miscellaneous papers. Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn, N. Y. — Membership, 692. Holds no meetings. Owns building; annual expenditures, $9,795.29. Library of 72,130 volumes, especially strong in local history, geneal- ogy, and American biography. Uses card catalogue. Among man- uscripts of especial value are 123 letters of George Washington, and correspondence of Henry and John Laurens, 1773-1790. Publica- tions. New York Historical Society, New York. — Founded, 1801; incor- porated, 1809 ; incorporation renewed, 1826, 1816. Members : An- nual, life, honorary, fellows, patrons. Patrons, elected on a contri- bution of $5,000 or gift worth twice the amount; fellows, for a con- tribution of $1,000 or gift worth twice the amount; life membership. 318 AMEEICAN HISTOEICAL, ASSOC! ATIOIST. $100; annual, $10; initiation, $20. Sources of income: Endowment funds, membership dues. Annual income, 1904, $18,222; expendi- tures, $13,822. Members in 1906, 987. Meetings: Annual and monthly. Library, card catalogued, of over 100,000 titles, housed in recently erected building valued at $400,000. Manuscript col- lection large, embracing the papers of Governor Cadwallacler Golden and of Generals Gates, Steuben, Stirling, and Duer of the Revolu- tionary period. Museum, including art gallery of 890 paintings, 65 ]3ieces of sculpture; also Audubon's original water colors; collections of Egyptian and Assyrian antiquities. Publications: GoUections, first series, 1811-29, 5 volumes; second series, 4 volumes; third series, 30 volumes, comprising much valuable historical material, such as Clarendon Papers, Charles Lee Papers, Golden Papers, manuscripts of Gharles Thomson, journals of Revolutionary officers, Deane Pa- pers, muster rolls of New York troops in Continental Army, and abstracts of wills (1665-1766) ; Proceedings; Discourses delivered at the meetings, 1832-1905. Oneida Historical Society^ TJtica^ N. Y. — Total membership, 253; owns building valued at $60,000. Meetings held monthly during winter season, papers and addresses being presented. Library partly catalogued; about 1,500 volumes, chiefly on local history and gene alogy ; incomplete files of local newspapers ; 800 manuscrijits of local interest. Nine volumes of Transactions issued. Onondaga Historical Association^ Syracuse, N. Y. — Organized, April 29, 1863. Private corporation. Has recently received legacyj of $40,000. Membership : Life, $25 ; annual dues, $2 ; Corres]3onding and honorary, for services performed. Monthly meetings include consideration of local history. Owns building costing $38,000. Library of 2,000 titles, uncatalogued. Museum of history and sci ence ; portraits of local interest. A few newspaj^er files, but not con tinuous. Offers eight public lectures annually. Has published a few leaflets. Financial condition strong and prospects bright. Rochester Historical Society, Rochester, N. Y. — Seven meetings annually, devoted largely to reading and discussion of historical papers. Library of 2,000 volumes on history of State and of the Genesee Valley. Collection of local newspapers, but not all files are complete. Card catalogue in use. Two volumes of Publications issued. Schoharie County Historical Society, Schoharie, N. Y. — Incorpo- rated, March 4, 1889. Private corporation. Membership fees : Life $10; admission, $1; annual, 50 cents. Holds one annual meeting; special meetings as called. Occupies " Old Stone Fort," considered, fireproof. Collects material illustrating local history, Indian life and geology. I I I BEPOET ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 319 NORTH CAKOLINA. The Trinity College Historical Society, Di/rham, jV. 6'.— Organ- ized in 1892. Private enterprise, not incorporated. Present annual income from all sonrces, $40. Membership fees, $1 a year ; occasional donations. Monthly literary meetings are held. No salaried staff. Owns no building. Places its collections in Trinity College Library. The museum contains various articles on civil war and North Caro- lina ; a few portraits. A small series of papers published. The society is advancing, making a start toAvard its publication fund. OHIO. Clark County Historical Society^ Springfield^ Ohio. — Contributing members, 85; county furnishes building' worth $20,000 and janitor's services. Librar}^, 100 volumes ; relics of pioneer life ; has published one volume, the Centennial of S2:)ring field, 1901. Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County, ZanesiiiUe, Ohio. — Organized, 1890; membership fee, 50 cents; assessment, $1; rooms proAdded by county commissioners. Society preserves old books, newspaj^ers, and relics. Scrapbooks made from reports given to newspapers ; membership declining. Sandusky C ounty Pioneer and Historical Society , Fremont, Ohio. — Organized June 6, 1874. Nominal membership fee, $1. Social meet- ing once a year. Owns no building, but relics are stored in city library building. Keeps scrapbooks of local history, but has no library, and only a fcAV relics. Work hampered by lack of funds. Western Reserve Historiccd Society, Cleveland, Ohio. — Organized, 1867. A private corporation. Terms of membership: Life, $100; annual, $5 ; corresponding and honorary, by election. Receives little support besides income from dues. Annual meeting in May. Owns building costing about $55,000. Employs librarian and janitor. Expended in 1904, $1,500. Partially catalogued library of 22,000 books and 38,000 pamphlets, particularly strong in histories of New England, Ohio, Western Reserve, and genealogy ; large collection of United States documents; complete files of several Cleveland news- papers; files of many Ohio papers (less complete). Maintains mu- seum of ethnology and archaeology ; has excellent maps and manu- scripts of land companies, travelers, and pioneers of the Reserve. Has published four volumes of Tracts; Partial List of Manuscripts, Notes, etc.; Histoiy of Brule's Disx'overies. PENNSYLVANIA. Bucks County Historical Society, Doylestown, Pa. — Members, 600. Three meetings a year — in January, May, and October. Library of 800 volumes; large number of documents and manuscripts. Two 320 AMEEICAN HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION. newspaper files running baclv about one hundred years. A museum of household, farm, and loom implements formerly in use in the United States; also Indian relics. Housed in a new building re- cently erected at a cost of $25,000. Chester County Historical Society^ West Chester, Pa. — Organized. 1893. Life membership fee, $15 ; initiation fee, $2 ; annual, $1 ; small endowment fund, but no building of its own. Small library of local history, catalogued ; custody of early county archives ; mu- seum. Occasional publications. The City History Society, Philadelphia, Pa. — Organized March 8, 1900. Membership: Life, $10; annual, $1. Membership in 1906, 350. Its objects are " to study the city's institutions, to revive its for- gotten history, to mark its historic sites, and to foster a spirit of civic pride in its citizens." Has organized a series of historic excursions during the spring and fall and a series of historic lectures during the winter. Among recent papers read are : "' Germantown Thirty Years Ago," by William E. Meehan ; " Philadelphia, the City of Homes," by Col. A. K. McClure; " The Walking Purchase and Other Indian Treaties of Pennsylvania," by Doctor Garber ; " The Lost Towns and Villages of Philadelphia," by Miss Mary Prichard ; " William Penn as a Law Giver," by Hon. Plampton L. Carson; "Military Opera- tions on the Lower Delaware During the Revolution," by C. Henry Kain; "Early Philadelphia Fire Protection," by George C. Gilles- pie; "Social Science on the Streets of Philadelphia," by Dr. Robert Ellis Thompson ; " George Washington in Philadelphia," by Dr. Francis B. Brandt, and " Philadelphia Shot Towers," by J. E. B. Buckenham. Other and equally important papers are in preparation. It has neither hall nor library. Delaware County Historical Society, Media, Pa. — Organized, 1895. Income less than $100 per annum, from membership ($1 annually). Annual meeting in September, with others two or three times a year, " with biographical account of some prominent citizen " or local his- tory paper. The recording and corresponding secretaries are each paid $25 per annum. No library, and but a small, miscellaneous museum. Occasional public lectures are given. The society has published the first volume of its PrT)ceedings, 1895-1901. Fayette County Historical and Genealogical Society, Uniontown, Pa. — Organized June 1, 1893. Has a small local library and museum, uncatalogued; occupies a room in county court-house. Preserves county newspapers. The secretary and librarian are not compen- sated. Little interest at present in affairs of society. Historical Socieiy of Berks County, Reading, Pa. — Organized 'August 5, 1869. Membership fees: Life, $50; annual, $1. Owns building valued at $3,500. County contributes annually $100 or $200 for support. Historical papers read at quarterly meetings. Library . EBPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 321 of 475 titles ; small museum of relics ; Reading newspaper files from 1789 to 1850. Publications issued annually. Financial condition prosperous. Historical Society of Dauj>hin County^ Harrishurg^ Pa. — Organ- ized June 10, 1869. Occupies room in court-house annex; holds monthly meetings, excepting July and August; maintains library of 2,400 titles, partly catalogued, and museum of local history. Vol- ume I of Transactions, 1903. Historical Society of Yoi-'k County, York, Pa. — Membership, 280; eight meetings each year of historical and literary character. Good rooms in county court-house. Library, with card catalogue, 3,000 titles; bound files of county newspapers 1789-1906, complete except five years; manuscripts of early church records, muster rolls of the Revolution, and autograph letters. Scientific and historical museum, 2,000 views and portraits. Eight pamphlets published. Condition progressive and popular. Kittochtinny Historical Society, C luimbershurg , Pa. — ]Membership fees : Resident, $2 ; non-resident, $1 ; number of members, 45. Eight meetings annually. V\xh\\ca.iio\\s: Kittochtinny Historical Papers, 4, 1900-1906. Society is accumulating a library. Lackawanna Institute of History and Science, Scranton, Pa. — Organized, 1886 ; several hundred books and reports stored in Green Ridge Library. Proceedings, one volume; five pamphlets on- local history published. Conditions " practically inactive." Lancaster County Historical Society,- Lancaster, Pa. — Organized 1896; sustained by annual dues. Monthly meetings; library in y. M. C. A. building; about 1,800 works on history and genealogy; about 50 manuscripts, and 100 relics. Society publishes Monthly Proceedings and Papers. Condition good in every respect. Lehanon County Historiccd Society, Lebanon, Pa. — Organized in January, 1898. Membership fees: Life, $20; active, $1. Members, 162. Bimonthly meetings. Library and museum of about 1,500 pieces, consisting of early newspapers, rare books, maps, and an-' tiques. Has published 37 pamphlets on local history, comprised in Historical Papers and Addresses, 3 volumes. Linn Historiccd Society, of Center County, Belief onte. Pa. — Organ- ized in 1903. Private corporation, with a State appropriation of $200 annually hereafter, thus making future annual income about $300. Life members pay $10 ; annual, $2. Meetings quarterly, with papers. Has a small library, as yet uncataloguecl. Society thus far without a definite habitation. Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristoion, Pa.— Organized, 1881. Membership fees : Life, $25 ; annual, 50 cents. Receives county aid of $200 per annum ; owns building worth $5,500. H. Doc. 923, 59-1 21 322 AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOlSr. Meetings held quarterly. Library, over 1,000 titles; card catalogria in i^rogress; small museum; 80 volumes of Colonial Records and Pennsylvania Archives. Society has published 3 volumes of Papers;- condition, reported good. Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, Philadel- phia, Pa. — Founded January 1, incorporated February 19, 1858, as the Numismatic Society; present title adopted March 23, 1865. A private corporation. Membership fees : Life, $50 ; annual, $5. Holds monthly' meetings, characterized by reading of j^apers and exhibition of coins and antiquities. Possesses a collection of books pertaining to numismatics and archaeology and a cabinet of coins at Memorial Hall, but has no building or salaried staff. Publishes Proceedings, which appear biennialh". Site and Relic Society of Germantoxmi, Philadelphia. — Organized February 25, 1901. Private corporation. Annual membership only ; fee, $2. Meetings not fixed, vary with loan exhibits and lectures- Occupies historic schoolhouse, and has museum of local history, but no library. Good collection of early local imprints. Occasional publications. Condition, excellent. Snyder County Ilistoriccd Society, Middlehurg, Pa. — Organized in 1899. ■ Members pay $1 admission and $1 annual dues. Have free use of room in court-house, where society has a small partly cata- logued library containing " a large amount of local material," includ- ing all count}^ papers. There is no museum. Society is not as active as formerly, " for the reason that the work fell upon a few of us, who are very busy men." Susquehanna County Historical Society, Montrose, Pa. — Organ- ized 1890. Private corporation, dependent on membership fees — life, $10 for males, $5 for females; annual, 50 cents. Yearly meetings. No salaried staff. A $20,000 buildiiig is soon to be constructed and $30,000 to be spent on a library. Helics, documents, and county news- paper files being collected. " Outlook very flattering." Washhigton County Historical Society, Washington, Pa. — Organ- ized January, 1901, as a private society. At the discretion of the county commissioners a $200 annual appropriation may be made, but not granted in 1905, in which year the total income was $177. There are 216 paying members, the life fee being $50 and the annual $1. Judges of the courts are honorary members. There are four stated meetings each year, at which are given public addresses or papers on historical subjects. The library of 2,500 titles and the excellent museum are housed gratis in the county court-house. A librarian is hired, at $25 per month. Newsjjaper files and local manuscripts are collected, and the library is the repository of such county archives as are only of historical value. The society has EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 323 published The Old Virginia Court House of Augusta Toicn, near Washington, Pennsylvania, 1776-77. " We are poor in funds, but rich in Avorkers." Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Organized 1858 ; private corporation. Membership fees : Life, $100 ; annual, $5. Of its 330 members 133 are life members. Endowment funds, $25,000; annual income, $2,300; has permanent home in large brick building of three stories, free of rent, light, and heat, given by founder of Osterbout Free Library. Library of 18,000 volumes, with typewritten. card catalogue, devoted to American history, genealogy, and geology. Museum of 5,000 coins, 11,000 geological specimens, 25,000 pieces illustrative of Pennsylvania ethnology and Algonquian pottery. Depository for United States and State documents; has 1,200 volumes of local newspapers and large collection of Wyoming manuscripts, especially for period 1760-1820. Publishes annual Proceedings. Condition excellent. SOUTH CAROLINA. New England Society, CJiarleston, S. G. — Organized in 1819. Pri- vate corporation. Membership fees, $10 per annum ; life membership dues, $75. Endowment fund, $20,000. Quarterly and annual meet- ings are held. No salaried staff. Society owns no building. Money is expended in caring for its members and for the poor. No library is maintained. In a flourishing condition and seeks to foster the study and knowledge of New England history. TENNESSEE. Confederate Historiccd Association, Memphis, Tenu - — Founded in 1869. Support: Membership dues, $2, and occasional donations. Present annual income from all sources, $400. Meetings are held once a month. No salaried staff. Rooms are rented at $25 a month. The association makes occasional donations to the needy. Library consists mostly of Confederate records. Museum principally Con- federate relics. Among about 25 per cent of the 210 members inter- est is very good. Washington County Historical Society, Jonesboro, Tenn. — Organ- ized in 1890. Private institution. Limited private subscription, no fees. Anyone may become a member who wishes to do so. Meetings are held about once a year. No salaried staff. No building, but one room in court-house occupied free of charge. No librar}^ is main- tained. There are a number of Indian relics and early court records. No publication. There is little interest taken except by a few persons. 324 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. VERMONT. Bennington Battle Monument and Historical Society^ Bennington, Vt. — Organized 1876. Number of annual members, 300; annual ex- penditures, $400; holds semiannual meetings of a general character. The task of the societj^ was the erection of the monument. It has no library or collections of historical material. WISCONSIN. - Green Bay Historical Society, Green Bay, ^Wis. — Organized 1899. Membership, 114. Incorporated as an auxiliary of the State society.. Has a small library and museum housed in public library. Holds three meetings annually — two in winter, at which papers are read, and an historical pilgrimage in summer. Condition flourishing. Manitotooc County Historical Association, Manitowoc, Wis. — Or- ganized February 3, 1906. Membership, 19. Auxiliary of State society. Will not commence active work until autumn of 1906; out- look excellent. Old Settlers'^ Cluh of Milwaukee County, Milwaukee, Wis. — Organ- ized 1869. Income about $2,000 per year, wholly from membership dues ($5). Any American citizen who has lived thirty-five years in the State and is"40 years old is eligible. Monthly meetings. Kent paid, $600 annually. There is a library of 300 titles, chiefly local, a museum of " local bric-a-brac," and a collection of manuscript, biographical memoirs. Condition prosperous. Parkman Cluh, Milwaukee, Wis. — Organized 1895. Has but nine members, who pay the cost of publication of their own papers. Has issued 18 monographs in pamphlet form, constituting two volumes. Rifon Historical Society, Ripon, Wis. — Organized in 1899. Incor- porated under State law as an auxiliary of the State society. Soci- et}^ aims to have " about a dozen active men " as members, the fee being one dollar annually. There are no stated meetings, members getting together whenever there is a paper to be read or other matter of interest discussed. Have an alcove promised in the new (Car- negie) local public library. Local newspapers are filed, and papers read are published in the local press; papers of general interest ap- pear in the Proceedings of the State society, which also publish the local society's annual report. The collection of materials is progress- ing satisfactorily, gifts being acknowledged in local press. Members are assigned topics for investigation, each being expected to do his share in this regard. " We are doing an unpretentious work, yet wo here feel that it is worth while." Sauk County ' Historiccd Society, Barahoo, Wis. — Incorporated 1905 as an auxiliary of State Historical Society. Has 35 members. EEPORT ON STATE AND LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 325 Four meetings are held each year. Library and museum are col- lected in room in public library. County newspapers files are as- siduously collected. Considerable archaeological work has already sen done. Superior Historical Society^ Swperior^ l'F^s.— Organized in 1902, but interest lagged until reorganization January 10, 1906, as an auxiliary of State society. Membership, 68. Housed in public library. Prospect very encouraging. Walworth County Historical Society^ Elkhorn^ Wis. — Organized 1904. Membership, 23. An auxiliary of State society. Library and museum in public library. Largely occupied in making col- lections of printed and manuscript material. V9t