The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-21

"A Large Company OF Guests Enter
tained-General Description of Their
Quarters.
The formal opening of the new Ath-
letic Club House yesterday, to the in
spection of hundreds and even thousands
of invited guests, was notable event in
the history of the city, not only as the
the consummation, in only years time,
of the full ideal of this important pro-
iect, involving between 10000 and S40,-
600, but as significant of the beginning
of it's full capabilities. For, although
since the first of the year the club has
been notable social success, its chief
object is now effected with the compile
ton of the gymnasium, which in all of
its appurtenanees for physical culture is
unsurpassed in the state.
Although from time to time the prog
ress of the enterprise has appeared in the
papers, it is appropriate to recall, in this
connection that just a year ago last Sat
urday. committee of five was appointed
by the Portland Turnverein to consider
the question of reorganization and new
quarters. The committee consisted of
Lyman q. Nelson, E. B. Duran, A. R.
Stubbs, r. S. Laughlin and Frank s.
Pote. To Mr.. Pote is due the credit OF
suggesting the financial basis upon
which the Athletic Club was formed,
viz, that fund of $40, 900 be secured by
obtaining 400 members at an initiation
fee of S25. A few days before, the Port
land Wheel Club had appointed a similar
committee to secure new rooms, etc. On
that committee were Jas. E. Marrett,
John Calvin Stevens, DIR. George E. Dow
and Frank A. Elwen. Later a joint
meeting Of these committees was held,
and George d. Rand, of the Yacht Club
who was much interested in the new
project, was invited to attend. The re-
suit was the beginning of the efforts
that have resulted more quickly and sue
cessfully than it's projectors could have
expected, in the present magnificent
quarters of the new Athletic Club. The
preliminary committee elected Mr..
Franklin C. Payson to be presiden', and
liisteminent fitness for the position, his
indefatigable efforts, assisted by W. s.
Eaton, ESQ.,. Messrs. Woodbury. 6 Moul-
ton,ssGeo. S. Hunt & Co., and Henry ST.
John Smith, succeeded in selling $40. 900
worth of bonds, to be secured by a blan-
ket mortgage of the club property. The
400 members were also secured, and
with the 10000 at their disposal the Of
ficers of the club went ahead, and by the
first. of last January the old colonial
mansion on Spring street, which was Sc
cured at less than it's option price of
$4,000, had been entirely made over to
suit the purposes of the club. Mean
while the gymnasium building was be
ing erected in the rear, and last Satur
day it was finished and furnished, and
ready for it's most commendable pur-
poses.
go John Calvin Stevens, the architect,
who directed the alterations and addi-
tions, are largely due the tasteful color
and design of the decoration and fur
nishings and the convenience of the ar
rangement of the rooms.
All the afternoon yesterday the guests
were pouring in and out of the stately
entrance of the fine old mansion, and
strolling through the rooms of the beau
tiful new club house. It was only neces-
sary to listen to the delighted comment,
especially of the ladies, to know that the
club house is worthy of all the praise
that has been bestowed upon it. What
exquisite taste has been shown in the
decoration of these parlors?' said one
lady: st always wanted to live in one of
these grand old mansions, and want to
more than ever, now,'' said another.
The artistic old mirrors over the fire.
places were especially admired.
If the centre of interest could be said
to be anywhere, however, it was in the
gymnasium, for Gllbert's orchestra Of Is
pieces was there, discoursing music, and
the spacious hall and its admirable
equipment were full of interest to the la
dies as well as the men. To the extern
sive apparatus Of the old Turnverein
has been added much new machinery
and many new appliances for physical
culture. No visitor failed to go down
in the basement and inspect the swim
ming tank, which is an attraction that no
other club in Maine can boast. 1t is
Asks feet, and is now full OF water at a
uniform temperature of 10 degrees.
There was a roaring fire in the fire place
which is close to the water, and alto.
gether it was very attractive place,
though some of the anxious mothers of
members of the club were afraid it
might be very dangerous place. How
ever, rope extends along one side, close
to the surface, and at one end is plat
form, where the water is but few feet
in depth. After the gymnasium was
looked over, the guests assembled to the
third story and out upon the roof OF the
all &c +be b,,s1d,pr which ia covered