Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-02

some recognition. The Sheldon Art
Museum was thrown open to the inspec
ton of few invited guests by Mr. Hen
nv l.. Sheldon. Five large rooms in the
old Park House were found well stored
with surprisingly large number of OBJ
iccts connected with the history of the
past. Those who were privileged to he
present on this interesting occasion were
astonished to see what remarkable
work has been accomplished within a
few years by Mr. Sheldon's industry.
After spending an hour or more in look
ing over the large collection of historical
relies, the guests, about 20 in number,
comprising many of the representative
men of Mddlebury, gathered in the large
room designated as the ''work shop
where there was a log fire blazing in the
old-fashioned stove. and, sitting in the
historic chairs of their ancestors. they
talked over incidents connected with We
olden time. Acting President Brainerd
of Middlebury college read a number of
short sketches of some of the first settlers
in the eastern part of the town and show
ed maps of certain of the original lots.
1t was, altogether, an occasion not soon
to be forgotten: and the genial host wish
ed his guests might live to come again to
the museum on the 20Oth anniversary of
the towns organization.
Last Wednesday was the twentieth an
niversary of Mr.. Darwin Riders propri-
etorship of the Addison House. and sew
eral of the leading citizens of Middebury
rendered him complimentary banquet
in honor of the event. which took place
at the hotel in the evening. Among the
gentlemen present were George c. Chap
man, Gasca Rich. A. J. Marshall, Charlie.
ID. Earl, Gardner :. Wainwright, Ru.
fus Wainwright, Col. Albert a. Fletcher
Charles +. Pinney, DR.. NJ. ID. Smith
James NJ. Slade, Charles c. Peck. Charlie.
NJ. Wilds. Robert Cartmell. j. A. Wright
Col. A. :. Tracy and Jesse Stearns. At
ter hearty discussion of the viands
which were served and prepared in the
appetizing style for which the Addison
House is noted. speeches were made by
Messrs. Slade. Wilds. Stearns. Tracy anc
Chapman. and stories, "reminiscences anC
Jokes were INDUCED in withou
stint During the early part of tn,
evening the company inspected thu
improvements which Mr.. Rider recent,
, made in the hotel and We're unanmou
and hearty in their encomiums. The Adj
t Olson House was originally called tin
Vermont House. and was opened for hu,
ine>- 80 years ago. Before railroads
, Middlebury was Il large stage center an,
t all the through lines changed horses Il
: the tavern, which accordingly flourish
1 ed. When Mr.. Rider took possession
= March 81. 1866. it had run down. IL
- proceeded at once to restore it, ancien
fame. and it has gone on and prospere
ever since. In the way of fine and ,alu
briouS situation. spacious and Wcll-ful
niShed rooms. fine table. and all the mod
ern conVeniences a. to running water
good drainage. etc, the Addison lIOuS
is unsurpassed in Vermont. Mr.. Ride
is genial gentleman and Mrs. Rider
an efficient help-meet: and the comnun
= ty endorses the wishes of the compan
at the banquet, that they may enjoy man
y happy returns of this anniversary.
good hotel i great benefit to a tow
! and Mr.. Rider has given Middlebury a
= enviable reputation for providing Il plaC
where a visitor can take his ease at IN
. inn and be sorry when the time of depa,
turc comes.