St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-12-17

REV EDWARD T. FAIRBANKS.
and my brother Horace secured it for me,
knowing my desire to erect a building.
Yet it was not until two years ago that
the way opened for me to commence the
work. The building is now complete. 1t
consists of a main hall, with gallery, for
cases and tables. On the first floor of the
ell is a curators office, and class room.
On the second floor and over the class
room and office, is well ventilated lee
ture room. All the rooms are thoroughly
equipped for use. In the basement are
the furnace for heating, and a large, well
lighted laboratory, and taX1dermlst'S
room The whole building is lighted
with both gas and electricity. For
year and half. the curator, Miss Tyler,
has been classifying and cataloguing the
collection and preparing suitable labels,
giving name and location OF the specimen,
together with reference to some book
where fuller description can be found,
thus making it, not what too many col
lections are, a dead affair, but really
thing of life which shall help in your
search for knowledge. l hope additions
may be made by those interested in these
things of such objects as shall be worthy
and useful in aid of the work in hand.
Should persons have in their possession
any objects of merit. illustrative of natur-
al science, which they do not care to
donate, but would like to loan, they may
be shown to the trustees, and if APPROX
ed, may find Judgement in the Museum,
and be marked loaned to receive the
same care as is bestowed upon the rest of
the collection.
1t is nv expectation that studies in the
natural sciences will be introduced into
our public, common schools in allgrades,
from the primary to the senior, and that
arrangements may be made between the
prudential committees OF the schools,
the faculty of the Academy and the
trustees and managers of the Museum
for classes to be held in the class room of
the Museum at such times as are best.
Objects from the collection may thus be
used by way of illustration under suitable
and proper regulations In this way, the
Museum will truly become a factor in the
education of our children and young
people.
1t is nv desire that its usefulness may
not be restricted to the public schools or
Academy of this town, but that it may
be open to the inspection and use of any
school or class in the county or state. 1t
is nv desire that this institution shall
take its place with other public institu-
lions, as an educator for the young, lift
ing all who shall avail themselves of its
advantages to higher and larger knowl-
edge concerning the things of Gods
creation, which lie all about us, now,
practically, for many. a sealed book.
1t is my desire that the Museum shall
be opened free to all at such times as the
trustees may direct, and that the public
observe such rules and regulations as
seem necessary and wise to be made.
| cannot let this opportunity pass with
ont rr-atef11l mention of the very V9Iuah HE
aid rendered, and advice given, by her
who is the sharer of myJOys and sorrows,
the companion of my home. For years
we have worked together in making this
collection and in planning for this build
ing, and to her | feel that much of its
success is due
In closing, allow me to express the
great pleasure l have experienced in erect
ing and equipping this Museum building,
and thus publiclyexpress myacknowledge-
ment, with Thanksgiving, to the Giver of
all things for placing in my hands the
means for accomplishing this work.
To Him be the glory
And to you, Mr.. Chairman, one of the
board of trustees, deliver over the keys
of the building, also the deed of the lot
upon which it stands. together with the
charter of the corporation under which
it is organized, and you hold your office
l desire to make grateful mention of the
fact referred to so gracefully in Mr.. Ide's
address at the laying of the corner stone,
that portion of the endowment of this
institution is derived from the estate of
my revered and honored father, so that
now l rejoice to feel, that though dead,
he is still a living factor in this Museum
and the Athenaum, as well as in the
church he helped to found and in the
Academy where his much larger benefac-
tons were made, not only in its mainten-
ance while living, but also in the endow-
ment from his estate.
And it gives me pleasure to say that
there is no debt upon the building or
land, and that the institution is endowed,
in addition to that above alluded to,
with an amount sufficient to maintain it
for all time, if the funds are properly
invested and the income judiciously ex-
pended.
To you, my townspeople and friends, l
have only to say that my hopes and as
pirations will be realized, if to you and
your children, this institution proves to
be one path by which you may be led
from nature up to natures Cod and
that at last you and l may together
have right to the tree of life, and enter
In through the gates into the city"
The remarks of Col. Fairbanks
were received with hearty applause,
a faint indica ton of the community