Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-18
The Academy of Art and Science
Makes Its Informal Opening.
i FINE EXHIBIT OF SPECIMENS.
DR.. Holland Thinks Pittsburgers Have
Been Little Sordid.
OTHER SOCIETY EVENTS OF YESTERDAY


new home
Historical and interesting to commence
with, the magnificent stone building on
Fifth street was rendered additionally so
for the reception last evening by the elabo-
rate displays made by the various societies
now claiming a home in the grand
old structure, and in an atmsos-
phere OF intellectually and con-
geniality mingled the cultured, refined,
scholarly and learned people of the two
cities, an aggregation that would GER
tainly have delighted the great philan-
thropist had be been living, as he was a
learned and scientific gentleman, and one
that would prove the wisdom of his family
in allowing by their liberal and
favorable financial terms the trsnsfor-
nation of the old homestead into
an Academy OF Sciences and Arts, and the
naturalization of an idea long contem-
plated by leaders in the artistic and scientific
circles.
The arrangement of the house seems
especially adapted for the purpose to which
it is now devoted, and eacn society occupies
as gracefully as if especially designed for
them the apartments assigned to their use.
THE ART DEPARTMENT.
On the main floor, in the handsome, spa
cious drawing room, with its velvety carpet
and elegant crimson hangings, the pictures
of the Pittsburg Art Society were hung for
the reception, and will be for the future
meetings of the society, as it is to be their
headquarters, with the understanding that
the room is at the disposal Of any society in
the academy for special events outside of
the usual routine meetings.
Among the artists represented in last
evenings exhibit of pictures that lined the
walls and excited universal admiration were
George Hetzel, Joseph Z. MCDOWELL, John
W. Beatty, A. Bryan Wall, d. B. Walkley
and H. S. Stevenson.
Across the hall, handsomely fitted up as
reception room, is the dining room Of former
davs, the mammoth carved sideboarG of
which, for last evening, was banked with
the most luXuriant and rareSt of plants and
ferns.
The entire front of the second floor is
allotted to the engineers of Western Penn
sylvania, and a very interesting display was
made by the society, including fine col
lection of MaDnesmann tubes and the
Thielen exhibit of articles made by the
Darby process of recarburization, both of
which were presented to the society at the
recent international meeting.
The rear room is occupied by the Archi-
tectural Society, and the walls are filed
with illustrations of the granite and stone
buildings that owe their existence to the
trains of this society. On the third floor,
the amateur photographers, the micro
scopical and the botanical societies are DOM
lciled in beautifully carpeted, nicely ar |
ranged apartments, each of which abounds |
with specimens and engravings peculiar TO |
the study of the particular branch of science,
the walls of the microscopes rooms being
hung with drawings and plates OF insects
and sections of insects highly magnifed,
besides several fine steel engravings of dis
tinguished investigators in microscopic
helds.
SPECIMENS ON EXHIBITION.
Sloping racks around three sides of the
room are fitted up to mold the display of |
specimens and we're filled with very in
teresting collection, among which were
several cases of butterflies from the collec-
ton of Rev. W. j. Holland. Microscopes
are arranged with view to their successful
use, and two very ancient ones are exhibited
as curios, In the botanical apartment is a
large herbarium case containing about 8, 600
mounted plants and a large collection of
moses and lichens. Portraits of DR.. Asa
Gray and other eminent botanistS are hung
upon the walls. and collection of minerals
loaned by Prof Gutenberg, of the High
School, occupies prominent place.
The Photographic Society has adorned
its room with collection of pictures taken
hv the members of the society, some notably
fine ones made by Mr.. Thomas Kennedy. of
New Brighton, Mr.. w. S. Bell and Mr.. w.
S. Glow, of Pittsburg, and last evening ex-
hibited a wonderfully pretty collection of
cleVerly shown by electric
light.
The reception given was informal, and the
guests were all made heartily welcome by
an address delivered by the President of the
Academy, Rev. w. j. Holland, who said,
in substance:
1t is my pleasurable duty this evening as the
of the Academy of Science and Art
10 extend to you on behalf of the academy and
The affiliated societies a cordial welcome to this
our first public reception. Rich in material re- |
also in men of culture and ability |
the two great cities at the head of the Ohio |
have for many years been characterized by an
apparent indifference to the interests of the !
scientific men and the artists in their midst, |
except SO far as these could be made factors to
some extent in promoting the financial prosper
ty OF the place.
DIR. HOLLAND CRITICIsEs.
IlIlSDuEpGlb as Z people nave DrlQed them !
selves upon being what they love to call them
selves, practical men," Outsiders have some
times perhaps thought them, toe. lust a wee i
BIT, sordld. But better days have come, and
within the past five or six wears we have wit
lcssed a most magnificent development among
as OF public spirit, which is destined to leave
is lasting impress upon this community and
upon our land, as we hope. 1t is an indirect re-
suit OF this change in the popular sentiment |
hat we are met here tonight under these
pleasant auspices.
ha MI frHo Of oh IN M, |
n a community like this cannot be estimated.
We have function to perform in the direc- G
ion Of educating the masses of the people 9
This may be accomplished in various ways | :
among the means which may be employed is :
hat OF speech. 1t is one of the duties of our
academy TO provide for the popularization of
knowledge by establishing series of lectures !
lDon art and science, to which the people shall
lave access. And l would advocate the en-
lloyment TOR this purpose, if possible. one of 6
he most noted scientific men of the day.
We have duty to perform in the collection
Il objects of scientific interest and artistic
merit, and in their preservation. In other /
words we have work to do in building up
museum. We are only in our merest infancy,
lut we are already beginning to discover that
his building will very soon be too small for the
roper accommodation of the multitude of in
erestIng and valuable objects which are being | a
Laced IN our custodianship.
With flow of wit and an invitation to
II ''ologists" to form societies and enter
be academy, the address was concluded.
The Academy of Science and Art of Pitts
uTg numbers 20 members. Its officials are as I
ollOws: Rev. w. j. Holland, President: Geo.
! Macbeth, First Vice President; Juhu A.
rashear, Second Vice President; George H.
lapD, Secretary; &. e. MeIlOr Treasurer:
einbers of Council, William Thaw, Jr., John d,
J. Shafer w. l. Seattle, James B. Scott. Chas .
Clarke, Charles Davis Joseph r. WoodweIl | {:
rof. Francis c. Phillips DIR. T. l. Hazard. G.
! Minor, W S. Bell and George S. Orth.
Engineers Society-Mr. w. L. ecaife Presi-