Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-08-31

iass vscstion. which from beginnipg 10 End
ing Of ~ altogether TOO bkisf dussaieu ~
fun Of pleasant incidents, vas n heur,
visit 10 ~ rooms Of he York Insissse Il
sace. Tbs soens usss ses really spsn 4
ths public ths day We vsfs thsrs, il VI,
during vscasiou tims for Ill secisAss md
| ssseciations, but tbs ssnslsasniy and ssssu,
i've jsnitof % thu building. NJ. John =
SIoan, kindly showed n through al III
Rooms and explained many curious md
Interesting objects in the VARIOUS depart
ments ths would not Otherwise have s&&.acs.
cd attention, - " bad no time in which "a
zee evefythins, and We return scknovIsda-
msn1s Tor his setsntioa.
The Yak Instttute owns . large fou,
story building known ~ ''Sveesser Block
which 10 the vssy first bsildios on Main
street. IN 6aco - one gees eyss ffsa Fac
tory island, and Gloss 10 the Boston and
Maine Railroad. 1t vas originally built for
. shoe factory, We believe. bot nov 10 occu-
ptsd on the street q ,of BY The possoface, 3
drug. and shoe store. The basement 10 used
Tor storage purposes, work rooms and hest
ing sppsrssss, The whole building being
warmed By steam, while the two upper stos-
iss are occupied By the Institute. From the
fsnts Of the building the Institute receives
. yearly income Of shout one thousand dol
lass.
Ascending the main stairs . large hall
way. the walls Of which sre hung With
pictures, commands the different rooms on
the second door. First Il the left 10 the
reception 10 I'm or ladies' psfiof, csrpetsd,
furnished with genuine old furniture and
the walls srtisticslly decorated and hung
with pictures. Next ID the business Office
connected with which 10 the library room
where regular meetings Of the Institute sre
held, and where the large library
10 housed. This room 10 abundantly
lighted from the south side Vd 10
large, pleasant and enjoyable. Beyond this
10 The room Of the museum, double the size
Of the library and lighted from both sides.
On the right Of the hail 10 the large lecture
room Of the Institute occupying the height
Of two stories, having . well furnished
stage with scenery and galleries; the hall
having . sestins capacity Of 375, and
is furnished with comfortable opera chairs
on the floor and in the galleries.
The colofs Of the walls are warm
and the whole appearance Of the
room 10 inviting. On the third Il Dor the
nrst two rooms at the right are to be fur
nished in the style Of rye oldsn time" one
Of which, that called the New England
kitchen, 10 indeed 90 we'll furnished now
with old and curious furniture and other
articles that it needs little to make it truth
fully represent the old fashioned kitchen
Of hundred years sgo. Next is the pri-
vate room Of the jsnisor. and beyond that
over the museum. the picture gallery.
The collections Of the institute in the
various departments are not only large but
interesting and illustrate especially the an
Equities, local and family history and
physical characteristics Of York county. 1t
was matter for regret that We had so little
time in which to examine the various OBJ
jects Of interests, - We felt obliged to
almost hurry through some Of the rooms in
order to make the most Of the time at
our command. The library contains ex-
tsnsive nles Of old newspspers-including
those printed in the county with official pub
locations Of the Government and different
states, and fairly good collection Of works
on Maine history and general literature,
with few rare specimens OF early typo
graphy. The museum embraces . Ane
collection Of Maine birds, the plants col
lected by the students in botany 1t Thorn
ton Academy the Swan collection Of shells,
department renting to Indian anti.
quities, another relating to relics of
the civil war, with general col
lection Of old relics from everywhere, a
good neurological csbinet, articles Of an
cient wearing apparel, old FIRE arms and
other curiosities. Many old manuscripts
and curious documents were also shown
in cases. In the New England kitchen was
q rich collection Of antique furniture, DO
nestle household utensils, wheels, looms,
warming pans, lanterns, foot stoves, fax
brakes, etc. The picture gallery WAS very
interesting most of the pieces being portraits
Of local celebrities, views Of York
county scenery, etc. Among the
portraits were those Of John
Fairfield, Maine's first Governor, and wife,
Capt. Thomas Cuts and wife, John B.
Thornton, Judge Moses Emery, Hon. J.
II. Burleigh, former representative in Con-
gres from the First District, David
Clesves, Charles Twombly, Philip East
man, Foxwell Bryant-now living at the
age Of 94-Joseph Leland, Seinor and
John johnson, first president Of the Insti-
tute. portrait Of our distinguished citi
zen, Hon. J. w. Bradbury, also adorned
the wallis Of the gallery, which is one Of the
most interesting rooms in the building.
The Institute is doing noticeable work in
rescuing from oblivion the facts and objects
relating to the local and natural history.
biography and general interests Of York
county, and placing them where they will
perpetuslly remain for the benefit and
interest Of the public, in Q large and well
arranged building Of ito own. the coilec-
tons Of which must increase in
size, interets snd permanent value ss the
wears 20 on. The late Mr.. Sweetser of
Saco who gave the Institute, - We were
informed, the sum Of $40, 900. has left for
himself worthy monument and endeared
his memory to every loyal resident Of York
county. His example should have An
imitatof in every county in Maine.
r..