New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-20
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.


seui-centennal anniversary this afternoon, at Nbos,
when, among other exercises, Grafton will be de-
livered by the Hon. George Bancroft. This occasion
promises TO be one Of unusual interest. Twenty-Five
sister historical and literary societies have expressed
their desire TO participate in the ceremonies. Thus
the aseembage will doubtless comprise nearly all the
literary celebrities of the City and vicinity with
many from other States. Cards of admission are OBJ
tainable only from members. After the exercises
there is to be grand dinner for the members only
who subscribe slO eacb) the tickets for which will
not exceed 400, owing to the mpossibIity of getting
adequate accommodations for larger number. We
learn that the subject of Mr. Bancrofs Grafton is,
"The Progress OF the Human Race"
Having thus dispatched the above news item, we
will give sketch Of this and other American HistOri
cal Societies, the most of which are in Aourishng
condition.
Compared with similar societies in the Union, the
New.York Historical Society is probably the first in
importance, having a larger library, greater number
of members and accomplishing more for the benefit
of historical literature than any other In respect to
age, it is the Oldest excepting that in Boston, which
was organized in 1891. II was formed in 1904 by
several eminent citizens, and soon acquired the
highest rank among the literary organizations Of
the City, which it has always maintained. Last
January, the total number of its members was
stated at about LOO, of which 700 were
rated as active and paying members; and the
whole number from its organization TO that date was
592 consisting of sos resident, 3si corresponding
and 403 honorary members Number elected during
1853. 1873, viz: l2l resident, 10 corresponding, and
honorary members. For several years The Society
has been raising funds for the erection Of freproof
library edifee. Last winter it purchased the ground
for this purpose on the southeast of Second
ay and Eleyenth-st. for SlO, 500, OF which $1,000
were subscribed by citizens Of that vicinity, and the
balance was taken from the building-fund Ii also
paid 81 900 for strip Of the adjoining lots to secure
sufficient light and air for the library, the main apart
men: of which is to be 30 feet high In June last dc
signs were adopted for this building which is to be Of
granite and brick and with the creates. economy is
estimated to cost ESQ, 600. The present amount OF
the buildng.fund is about $4,000 and hence add-
tional subscriptions to the amout OF $4,000 are So
iisited The library in the Society's rooms at the
University, contains $4,000 volumes and many
pamphlets, with some valuable manuscripts, and at
least 1000 volumes need binding 1t isopen daily for
members and those introduced by them and is under
the charge of Mr.. G. H. Moore. Eight volumes Of
the Collections and six volumes of the Proceedings OF
the Society have been published. The Society has
received only one large legacy, viz: the Demlt
Legacy Of 5000 in 1850, which was added TO the
building fund. That fund has also been increased by
the members fees the sales of the Collections, &c,
but mainly by the special subscriptions, of which
James Lenox, ESQ gave $4,000. We have under
stood that il is in contemplation to publish history
of the Society, with the proceedings OF the forth
coming celebration.
The Massachusetts, Historical Society, in Boston, was
Instituted in 1884, and in 1894 received its charter by
which its number of members was limited to CO. Its
rooms in the Savings Bank building, in Tremont-st,
are open daily, and attract many visitors they con-
tain many interesting relics of the Pilgrims, and in
one room there are portraits Of 20 early New England
worthless. The library is very valuable, containing
G. 600 bound volumes, ans 1000 OF these are made up
of A. 900 pamphlets. Among its manuscripts are
those Of Hubbard, the historian the first Governor
Winthrop, Gov. Hutchinson and Gev Trlmbul OF
Connecticut. Joseph g. Felt is Librarian. This So
c;ety has published 81 volumes offs Collections, aud
another is in press. The Hon. John DAVIS, LID,
was its President for several years.
The American Antiquarian Society, al Worcester,
WAS jpcorpornted Oct. -, lsla. Isaiah Thomas, the
DISTINGUISHED printer and publisher, and author Of
:, Tbn History Of Printing in America was its first
President. and has been its greatest bensfac;or
..,ou. brick edce for the library and cabinet was
erected at bis expense, slO,OOo') and completed in
1880. His private collection Of books which was
cor,derablo one. became the basis of the library,
which contains %, 500 volumes. After bis deatA e1-
,.D,ive additions were msde to the building through
resources provided by bis will and the PrnaaP. pof
ton Of the funds Of the Society resulted from his be-
quests. Besides real estate, these funds now amount
to 0veisl9.eoO. AusT building 'as completed i'a