The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-05
VIRGINIA HISTORY.
SOMETHING or THE LEE 1lSsIos
AND HOW 1T Is OCCUPIED.
The Only Magazine In the Country which
Publi.he. Original Historical Doca-
ments Issued by the society.

The Virginia Historical Society took
possession OF its new home. the handsome
four story brick building No 707 East
Franklin street, last June. This Is the
pror erty which is known as the Lee Man
sion. having been occupied during ths
war by the family Of General r. f. Lee,
and was the generous gift OF Mrs. John
Stewart and the Misses stewart Of
Brook Hill, Henrico county
Since the Society has come IN its posses
sion the House has been put in good
repair. the woodwork having been
repainted. the walls and cell
ing repapered. The society was en-
abled to make these improvements
by the generous contributions OF
the Daughters OF the American
Revolution. OF Virginia; the old Dominion
CHAPTER OF that Society. through hrs.
James II. Dooley, its Regent giving sSolSo
and the Abemarle Chapter, through
Airs. William Writ Henry the state
Regent. giving seyenty-hye dollars. Inc
property Of the Society has now been
removed TO It's Kew quarters ana arranged
Cor use and inspection. And the reception
OF visitors Mr.. Phillip A. Bruce, CORE
Nn0nNlfh 70
encumbency. commencing last December,
le has arranged the valuable records or
the Society I'm systematic shape.
The home now occupied by the histor-
teal Society. IN addition TO being build
ing OF great historical interest from its
association with the commander-in-chiet
of the Confederate Armies. is a handsome
and substantial structure, situated near
the centre OF the city and afordIng ample
room for all the uses OF the Society.
The paintings, ei cravings, books. PAM
pflets. manuscripts, and relies belong
ing 10 the Historical Society vhich for
number OF years were deposited In tho
| Westmoreland club house have now been
arranged in ample srCce and systematic
order so as 10 be accessible TO the reader
| or historical student, and such are cordl-
| ally invited TO visit the society and enjoy
/ the privilege OF the rare facilities offered
The building Is comfortably furnished
| and in few days will be handsomely
! carpeted.
! The library now has 1900 bound volumes
/ and 5000 pamphlets Of historical value.
! The Society now has a membership
/ OF nearly seven hundred. including fifty
! life members. and hte promptness with
which they have paid up their dues during
| very stringent time shows marked
! interest in the society.
Among the distinguished Northern his
torical scholars and public men who have
! recently become members OF the Society
! are ex-Presdent Harrison, Honorable
| William L. Wilson, Honorable Theodore
! Roosevelt, Honorable Seth Low, Charles
Dudley Warner. Professor James Schouler.
| Professors Toy and Claiming, OF Harvard;
Morse. OF Amherst Ferguson, Of Trinity;
| MILAN y. Weeden. Worthington c. Ford,
and James T.. Rhodes.
About forty Of the leading libraries
! I'm the country are also contributing
members. as are the Navy. War and Int.
rlor departments OF the government. The
! Society publishes The Virginia Magazine
OF History and Biography, with Mr.. Phillip
| A. Bruce as editor I'm charge, and the
| membership Is becoming more extensive
| as the character Of the Magazine becomes
| known. II is published quarterly and
two numbers have been already issued.
II is unique because the only Magazine
| in this country devoted 20 the publication
| Of original historical documents which
have a priceless value 10 historical stu
| dents.
For the accommodation OF members
! and visitors the daily papers and lead
! ing historical magazines are kept on Tile
! at the association rooms.
Visitors from the North In searceh OF
| material bearing on special lines or IN
vestigation are frequent and they. as
! well as the many tourists who call from
! curiosity, are cordially received.
The society now has 5000 to its credit
! I'm bank, most Of which will be passed 10
a permanent endowment fund at the next
| annual meeting
| A number OF ladies Interested I'm histor-
! zeal research are knocking at the doors
for admittance, and It is probable that
provision win be made at an early day
10 receive themh as members.
In this event The Daughters or the
Revolution and The Colonial Danes pro-
nose 10 handsomely ht up a room IN the
| building for their use.
Mr.. Philip A. Bruce. the corresponding
secretary. is peculiarly fitted for the dual
position OF editor and corresponding
secretary for the society. He is an ac-
! complished writer and has himself done
much historical work.
During the spare hours between MS
labors in those two capacities he Is en-
gagged i'm writing a book on the economic
| condition OK the Virginia people In the
seventeenth century. lie Is collecting
the material and putting II In shape Tor
publication perhaps year hence.
There is a vast fund OF historical mate
rial in Virginia that has never seen the
hight OF day and it will be the province
OF the Virginia Historical Society and It's
Magazine 10 give It 70 the world. 1t Is
doing q good work.