Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-06-20

New Art Gallery.
A GRACEFUL GIFT TO THE UNIVERSITY, AND
TO THE PUBLIC
A centre of letters and of learning is in
complete, till it can furnish with its means
of literary and scientific culture, facilities
for instruction in art. 1t should be able to
give training to its pupils and to the COM
munity, not only in sound learning and
sound morals, but in sound taste in paint
ing and sculpture and architecture should
learn them to appreciate the beautiful in
art, as well as the good and the true in
literature and in life
Few country colleges, however, possess
facilities for such culture. Our own
University has lacked the means for such
cultivation of the eye, and for illustration
of the teachings in art of its truly cultivated
professors. Such want, long felt, is, we
are glad to announce, in way TO be sup
piled. We take great pleasure in printing
the following document
ARTICLES OF DONATION.
1T W. Park, of North Bennington, do
hereby propose to give TO the University of
Vermont, such sum as may be necessary for
the construction ofan Art Gallery, by the
addition of third story to the present
Library Building, agreeably to plans this
day shown to me, upon the following con-
ditions
FIRST. That the said donation be accepted
by the University as q special trust for the
benefit ofitself and the public, and be ex-
pended for the purpose above named, under
the direction and design of the trustees
hereinafter provided for.
Second, That the gallery so constructed
shall be permanently kept and maintained
for the reception, preservation and txhi-
bition of all suitable works of art that may
be contributed or purchased for it; that it
shall be always accessible, not only to the
members of the University, but to all stu
dents in art; that it shall be open to the
public without charge at all reasonable
times; that the gallery and all its concerns,
funds and property shall be under the IN
dependent management and control of the
same trustees, and subject to such rules and
regulations as they may from time to time
adopt; and that all future donations, sub
scriptions and legacies for the use or benefit
of the gallery shall be taken and held by the
University under the same special trust and
management hereby created
Third, That the trustees of the gallery
shall be THE President OF THE UNIVERSITY
for the time being, er ofiao, who shall be
chairman. f. j. PHELPS, l.. g. WARE, G.
g. BENEDICT and II. 4. P. ToRREY. And
whenever vacancy shall occur by reason of
the death, resignation or removal from Bur
lington of either Of the trustees other than
no han eba1l ha 1aI lxr
appointment by the remainder of the board,
or the majority of them, of some gentleman
resident in Burlington and possessed of
knowledge and taste in the fine arts.
(Signed) T. W. PARK.
Burlington, June 10, 1873
Mr.. Park 5 liberality could not have taken
a more graceful form, or one more crafty
ing to our citizens and to all friends of the
University. There can be, Of course, no
doubt Of the acceptance by the University.
of his generous offer, and we understand
that the work of construction of the new
gallery will be begun as soon as such'ac-
ceptance is indicated, and will be carried to
speedy completion. We have seen the plans
of the contemplated addition to the Library
building. The third story, while harmon
izing with the present building, will much
improve its proportions, and by enriched
cornices and French roofwill add much to
to the ornamental effect Of the structure
1t will afford the space for an ample and
elegant gallery, lighted by a skylight,
which gives the best light for paintings
and when the designs of the donor and
the gentlemen specially interested with him
in the matter are carried ont, it will prove
a most valuable addition to the facilities of
the University and an added attraction to
our city.
1t will be noticed that while the gift is to
the University. its benefits are by no means
confined to the University. 1t is to be held
in trust for The public. and is to be always
open, at proper times, to the public, with
out charge. Of course, this matter is not
altogether new thing 1t has been talked
about and thought about for years, and its
realization will be chiefly due, after the
donor of the fund, to a gentleman Of our
city (whose modesty withholds his name
from special mention) whose interest and
efforts have looked beyond the mere con-
struction of the gallery. lie has secured
from some eminent artists and from several
gentlemen of wealth and taste, encourage
ment to expect contributions Of valuable
paintings to form the nucleus of collec-
ton. 1t is hoped and expected that there
Will be added to these, contributions of
paintings, engrayings, casts of noted
statues for purposes Of illustration, and
other works of art We trust that in
time there will be an annual course Of
lectures on art, open, like the present
course of University Lectures, to the public
and delivered in the new gallery. And we
doubt not that in time, the Park Gallery
for we venture to presume that it will bear
the name Of its generous founder-will be
one Of the most useful and popular instItu-
tons of Burlington.