The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-07-22
The state Historical Society.

RIG SHdsc EhHSsOEASS~E SOSAONs
Last week we published a brief article
upon the object Of this Society, and the
peculiar necessity for its existence. We
shall now give fuller stat ement of the
history of the Society, its present condl-
ton, it's aims, and the manner in which
its ends are to be at aimed.
This Society was first Instituted IN
1849, and recognized in 1851. The
State Legislature has granted to it an
annual appropriation of $500, to defray
the expenses of collecting documents and
diffusing information relative to the State.
In 1854, the Society commenced the
publication of :. History of Wisconsin
in three parts, Historical, Documentary,
and Descriptive" The first (HistoricaD
part, was compiled by Gen. VIM. R.
Smith, and published in 1854. This vol
ume contains much valuable and interest
ing information concerning the first ex-
plorations of the Valley of the Mississippi
by the French and Spaniards, and the
History of Wisconsin previous to her beng
organized as Territory. The other two
volumes, we believe are not yet published.
Besides this important work, the Society
has issued many other smaller publica-
tons. It's Library now numbers nearly
1000 volumes and is rapidly increasing.
The Picture Gallery already contains forty
portraits by able artists AMI the cabinet
of historical curiosities is large and rapidly
increasing. We extract from their circu
lar statement of the various kinds of
contributions which they desire:
Manuscript statements and narratives
of pioneer settlers-old letters and jour
mails relative to the early history and set
Element of Wisconsin, and Of the Black
Hawk War; biographical n otices of our
and facts illustrative of our Indian tribes,
their history, characteristics, sketches Of
their prominent chiefs, orators, and war
riors, together with contributions of In
dian implements, dress, ornaments and
cnriosities.
Drawings and descriptions of our
ancient mounds and Notifications, their
size, representation and locality.
Information respecting any ancient
coins, or other curiosties found in Wis
consin, The contribution of such articles
to the Cabinet of the Society is respect
fully solicited.
"Indian geographical names of streams
and localities in this State, with their sig
ni6cations. sH #
Books of all kinds, and especially
such as relate to American history, travels
and biography in general and the West
in particular, family gencalogies, old mag
azines, pamphlets, files Of newspapers,
maps, historical manuscripts, autographs
of distinguished persons, coins, medals,
paintings, portraits, statuary and engra-
wings.
"Editors and publishers of newspapers,
magazines, and reviews, will confer a last
inc favor on the Society by contributing
their publications regularly for its library
or, at least, such numbers as may con-
tain articles bearing upon Wisconsin his
tory, biography, geography, or antiqui-
ties; all of which will be carefully pre-
served for binding" 30.
By the courtesy Of the Society we have
been appointed Corresponding Member,
and shall take pleasure in forwarding any
contribution which may be left with us,
or furnishing any information we may
possess. Meetings of the Executive
Committee are held at the Society's
rooms on the first Tuesday of each month
Hereafter we shall give a summary of the
proceedings at these meetings.
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