The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-27
The Grand Opening on Wednesday
Preparations for the Hor-
ticultural Display and
Fancy Bazaar.
Eto., Etc, ntog Etc, Etor "'''
TIE nonr1nr1rnnA1 SOCIETY


,ntions of the citv. was incorporated by the
Legislature of the State in 1881, but had Deeh
in active operation for several years previous
having been first instituted in 1927. III is there-
fore the oldest Horticultural Society In tne
limited States. During the forty years Whlch
have passed since its organization, 1t mas num-
bered a membership of more than two thousand.
Among its contributing and honorary members,
at all times in its history, as well as at the pre-
sent time. have been found the weathiest and
most intelligent citizens of Philadelphia and the
surrounding country.
The object OF the Society, as shown by its
little, has been the encouragement OF fruit cul-
ture. With this end IN view, 1T has held monthly
and yearly exhibitions, at which over $ZO,OUO
have been awarded in premiums from time to
time. 1t has also collected a library larger and
more valuable than any other oil similar char
acter in this country, which contains not only
all published works bearing directly on the
leading objects of the Society, but those treat
ing of kindred scientific subjects as well. Mem
bers of the Society have access to the library at
all times, and on the first and third Tuesday
evenings of each month committee is in at
tendance, for the purpose OF loaning books to
such as may desire to peruse them at their
homes.
Horticultural science is also greatly promoted
by monthly discussions and the reading of
essays by gentlemen of eminence in their par
tlcular departments. The list Tor the remain
June 4-"Cut Flower Trade" by Mr.. w. c. Strong.
August 6-"Window Gardening" by Mr. r. Scott.
September 3-"rhe Pear and It's Culture" by MT. p.
OCTOBER iW"some OF the Differences Between North
ern and southern Gardening" by Mr.. p j. Berck-
November 5I"Evergreens that have been we'll
tested" by Mr.. Josiah Hopes, West Chester, Pa,
George Thurber Editor of the Anlerico AGtictttnfs
The privileges of the library and discussions
are reserved exclusively for the members of the
h1fn lion nfrTt,NC ~ thO
regular monthly and yearly exhibitions is open
to all the world. The annual fees required of
member are but three dollars, and person may
become a life member on the payment of only
twenty-five dollars, which carries with it the
tree use of the library at the hall and at home,
as we'll as one members and two ladies' tic kets
to each monthly meeting and exhibition.
The list of officers for the current year is as
follows;--
Presidential. Rodney King.
Vce-P Presdents-C Caleb Cope ]. +. Mitchell, Robert
W Meehan
Treasurer-Henry a. Dreer.
= Professor Of horticultural Chemistry - James G,
Professor of Entomology. s. Rathvon
THE MOVEMENT FOR THE NEW HALL.
In former years the Society met at the old
Chinese Museum, on Ninth street, but of late
they have had the use of the large hall on the
corner of Broad and Walnut streets. These
quarters becoming too restricted, about two
cussed. at first it was proposed that the Society
should join its resources TO those OF the His
torical and other learned societies of the city,
and that they should in combination erect a
building which would not only afford ample
facilities for all the associations interested, but
would prove an addition to the architectural
beauty of philadelphia. For some reason or
other this plan failed, and on lthe 18th of
January, 1865 the Society resolved upon the
erection of a hall of their own. Subscriptions
for this purpose were solicited by committee
of twenty-five, then appointed, and consisting
of the following gentlemen:-
D. Rodney King. Chairman; M. "; Baldwin, Caleb
Cope. General r. Patterson, j. e. Mitchell Fairman
JS@ea JSSsa W. LschSfer Robert BUST is R. M % Marshall
Peer Charles Harma2 RoSePt Cones
9. H. Burgin, NJ. D; Thomas, g. Percval, Thomas
L. claghoTH, g. W. Earl '-D'- . p''''' '"H-''
The Society selected for the site OF their new
building the lot adjoining the Academy of
Music on the south, with frontal of seventy
i've feet on Broad street, and a depth of two
hundred feet. Between the new hall and the
Academy, there is an open space of fifteen
feet while on the south side lies Westmore-
land street, which is thirty feet in width.
The plan and drawings from which il was
built were prepared by Messrs. Sloan Hutton,
the well-known architects Of No. l52 South
Fourth street. The construction of the elldce
was placed under the superintendent of Mr..
Benjamin II. Shedaker, who had charge of the
erection OF the famous Sanitary Fair building
on Logan Square. Each department of the
work was given out on separate contract to
the lowest responsible bidder and thus the
greatest economy was secured. 1t was begun
about the 10th of September last, aud SO rapidly
has the WORK been pushed that, notWthstaud
ing the severity OF the winter, it already nearly
completed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW HALL.
The frontage of the new hall on Broad street
is 20 feet in width and go feet in height. It. is
constructed of smoothly dressed pearl-grey
Leipervilie stone, the window-dressings and
corners being of red sandstone Over the
entrance there is a slightly projecting portico
supported by six columns Of the latter material
The side and rear walls are OF brick, and thirty
one inches IN thickness.
The main entrance on Broad street is gained
by rise of only six feet from the sidewalk, anc
opens into a handsome Vestibule 20 by AZ fee
in dimensions. On either side OF this is a ticke
omce and dressing ROOM one for ladies anC
90 S9tner go Tor gentlemen, each of which is II BY
Az the rear of the dressing.rooms are wild,
sI way ;, leadlng to the basement halls and x
Sho saiSiies OF the main auditorium and IN,
y LoyeE' Ihe latter, which is situated immedi
"ssiJ 49, w., Voel the Yestibule aud dressing.rooms
ANU EXTENDS the entire length of the Rroed e,rae
front, is an elegant apartment 90 b1 20 ot ssFee
uImenslOns, Wllh height of 30 feet II a,iI
contain tne library of the Society ana Ti1i h
conveniently arranged for their reSniar y, aa
ngs, as wen as ior parlor concerts and ente,
tainments OF similar character '" entei
On the ground floor there are throo ,on
halls, well lighted and ventilated access bai5 ,e, Z
had TO them as stated above by means oP SO =
ways descending from the veshbule The ON
adjoining Broad street is 20 by 20 feet with
height OF IL feet Just in the rear of this is N
banqueting hall, of the same height, and 70 fe
in width by ll2 in length. 1t will afford amp
seating room for one thousand persons. AT ii
rear of the building is the rehearsing ha
situated Immediately under the stage. of i