The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-30
nnnrLcLLLTnRAL HALL.

I.act pUonlnQ
4be corner of Broad aud Westmoreand streets,
was formally dedicated, according 10 tne Ip pro-
crafnme as published in The bYENN9 IIgLE IHhLE
Sn{Iding IUere i'm conplete order, aud the articles
on exhibition numerous ana NaIieu enOus M, "
elicit unduanfed praise from all present. Inc
mimic waterfall upon the stage, ana the large
founfain in the centre of the Hall, were both
runninp and attracted many admirers Just IN
front oil the stage the Sauerlee Band under the
leadershiB of Hermann, were stationed, ana
during the course of the evening selecuoh Oh
musical gems was finely rendered by the en. 20
At eight o'clock a number OF the mem oer5 OF
the society assembled at the old nail nai,, ~ htne tne
corner OF Broad and Walnut streets, from WhiSn
place they proceeded to the new ouildIng' W
entering they we're presented 10 tne lauISS YS y.
the executive committee, aleI M4ion Mion HI'' nf tbe
hour was devoted TO an inspectI9,ni Tl the the
articles on exhibition. At nine O'CLOCK tne
members of the society, ana theu speclaly
invited guests, oil OF whom were ~
from the rest of the world by an appehuage OF
green ribbon affixed to their buttonooles, were
requested TO walk down stairs. AS various
rurnors had been set aaoas c9ncerntlug ya luz lne
nature OF the ceremonies to be there observed,
considerable curiosity TO witness them was
maniiested and in less than ten minutes
green ribbon could scarcely oe found on the
Al the rear of the banqueting hall a large
platform had been erected, and covered with
settees. To the left of the entrance were sta
toned two tables, the most distant OF which was
loaded down with salads, cold meats, water ices,
creams, and fruits. On the other table was
splendid collection of tumblers and glass mugs,
arranged about a large open bowl, in the which
foated at random fragments OF Ice aud halves
of lemons The floating medium was reddish
liquid which appeared to excite the curiosity OF
every person who entered the hall. Aud as he
entered almost every one satisfied his curiosity
aud slaked his thirst at the same time by par
taking of the mysterious reddish liquid in
question.
As soon as the party had succeeded in forcing
their way past the large open bowl, they col
lected about the platform in the rear, the set
tees being filed with the more distinguished OF
those present. Then Mr.. D. Rodney King the
President of the Society," called the assemblage
to order, and proceeded to deliver the folio wing
interesting address:-
SPEECH OF Mr.. D. RODNEY KING.
The pleasing duty has been assigned to me of
congratulating you on the completion of this sub
stantial and commodious building, and of bidding
you, in the name of this Society," hearty welcome
within its spacious walls.
That this Hail was greatly needed, not only by
the Society under whose auspices IL has been
erected but also by our citizens generally, must be
For forty long years has this useful Society been
compelled to wander from place to place in search
OF proper accommodations, with permanent
location or abode, and 1t may not only be interest
ing but useful to trace the Society in these wan
derings, in order that we may the more fully ap-
preciate the advantages we will now enjoy.
The first meeting for the formation of the So
cety was held IN the lecture room of the Franklin
Institute, on Saturday, the oath of November, 1897,
in pursuance OF a call which was published in the
daily newspapers, as follows: "Those persons de-
sirous to form horticultural Society are request
ed to meet at the Franklin Institute on Saturday
Carey was called to the chair, and the following
resolution was passed. 'Resolved, that it is exps-
dient to establish a Horticultural Society in the
city of Philadelphia for the promotion of that in
teresting and highly important branch of science,
and that constitution be formed for that purpose.
Franklin Institute. Daring the year 1928 the So
clety held two of its meetings at No. 173 Chestnut
Horace Binney was chosen the first President
For the remainder of the year 1925 and during the
fnd tha hoC nj
under the hall of the American Philosophical So
ciety, in the east wing of the State House. During
its meetings IN the hall Of the Phoenix Fire Com
panyI in Zane street. This exception was the May
meeting, which was held in the large room attach
ed to Mrs. Mercier's confectionery and ice cream
saloon, in south Third street, east side, above
tinued to occupy Phoenix Hall, but the anniver-
sary meeting was held in the Franklin Institute.
nises No. i2i Ohesnut street. From June, 1888, to
March, 1912, period OF nearly nine years, IL oc-
cupied the basement room under the Philosophical
Society. In March, 1912, it rented the lower sa-
loon OF the Chinese Museum, (Which stood at the
northeast corner of Ninth and George, or SAMSON
street,) and continued to occupy 1t until 1t was
burned on the 5th Of July, 1884, period OF nearly
twelve years.
enjoyed IN this building no doubt had some effect
in postponing the building OF a hall. This spa
cious editice, with its two halls of an aggregate
length OF over four hundred feet, enabled the So
ciety, during this space Of twelve years, to give
those magnificent annual displays which have
never since been equalled by this or, perhaps by
any other society in this country, and which are
doubtless remembered by many of you as among
the brightest and most beautiful scenes of the
past. After the destruction OF that building, ana
until the 2Gth of February 1855, the society occu-
pied SAMSON Street Hall and the Assembly Build
Ing when it leased Concert Hall in Ohesnut street.
and continued to occupy 1t until January, leoS, a
period of seven years, when 1t rented the hau
(untl recently occupied by the Society at the
southwest corner of Broad and Walnut streets
But this is not all. In addition TO this great mum
ber and variety of places of meeting, the society
has been compelled, for want OF other hcconulo-
daion, TO hold its annual exhibitions, at dlnerent
times, in the Masonic Hall, the Chinese museum,
in tents on Penn square, in Concert Hal IN tue
Musical Fund Hall, in the Academy OF MUSIC,
and in a large tent or pavilion on the spot Whlch
this building now occupies These Iacts are atn-
hall was needed by this Society, and Will not oc-
cupy your time by attempting TO prove What you
already know, that this building was equally
needed for general purposes.
This is not the first time that the building OF
hall has occupied the attention OF THIS Society as
early as the 29h of October 1910, II was resolved,
GtThat a subscription of one thousand shares OF
stock of nfty dollars each, be opened for the pur-
nose OF creating fund to erect hall tor the per-
manent accommodation OF the Society,"" and in
report of committee in charge OF the subject ~ Is
mentioned as one cause OF their failure in obtain
ing the uisie amount OF subscriptions the fear
that the proposed location of the hall, viz at the
s. Z. corner of Fifth and Library streets, (the lot
on which the Mercantile Library was subseq uently
built,) was too far east an opinion IN which most
of us will now concur. Shortly after this a COM
munication was received from the Franklin 1nst-
tute asking for its cooperation in the erection of
large building for the accommodation of the
nuaI exhibitions of both societies; but this scheme
also proved abortive
Pbiladelphia and vicinity claims the honor of
having given the earliest and strongest impulses 10
the study and practice OF the sciences OF botany and
horticulture in this country
Long before the revolution, and as early as lT2S,
John Bartram established botanic garden and
ofno1 on ha q n