Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-05-03
A Village Improvement Society.

He suDJtCt VI village iihploNc-
ment is one in which the American
people are manifesting a rapidly
growing interest, and the most inn
portant factor in tie progress of this
work is the "villago improvements
society,"" branches OF which are 10 be
found in many villages IN different
parts of the country. The village
improvement society fosters that
town pride and public spirit which
suggest liberal plans, and prompt to
generous gifts, and asks of every
citizen the question, "What is 1t my
duty or privilege to do Tor my
town.
AS with nearly every good work,
woman was the originator of the
village Improvement society, an ac-
count of the first one OF which we
take from an article in the Forum for
March, by b. q. Northrup, for many
years state superintendent of public
instruction in Connecticut. Mr.
Northrup says
"The first incorporated village inn
proyement society in the United
States was the Laurel Hill associa-
ton of Stockbridge, Mass, and was
organized by Miss Mary Hopkins.
Her untiring efforts to rouse the
people resulted in a public meeting,
where the subject was discussed and
a society organized. AS result, the
Stockbridge of today stands out in
marked contrast with the Stock.
bridge of my boyhood. The main
street, irregularly laid out and un-
evenly graded, with deep pools of
standing water, with few trees and
fewer sidewalks, the "green" without
trees or any semblance of ornament,
loaded wagons making deep ruts
almost 10 the church door, the Gem
etery with a broken down fence and
full of brambles and weeds. = 4
Today streets are graded and lined
with shade trees" The unsightly
"green" of a few years ago is now a
ching of beauty and JOY forever"
Goods Acre." wherein rest the re-
mains of the dead, is no longer the
grazing ground Of stray stock, but a
beautiful place, carefully tended.
"At the first annual meeting of the
society the treasurer reported that
the amount paid in, III labor or cash,
was Sl,396. The number of trees
planted the first year was 423. AT
this meeting Cyrus w. Field and +.
w. Pomeroy together gave $3.50 to
be used for prizes. Fifty cents was
given for every thrifty tree planted
of kinds specified; SO, or a silver
cup of equal value, to the planter of
the best / 3 trees; TO the second best
SO, and to the third best 81, all the
trees to be planted within specified
limits. Another prize of $40 was of
fered for the largest number and the
best trees planted along any public
road of the town. n prize of $40
was given 10 the person who made
the longest and best sidewalk, and
another $40 to the person who made
the greatest improvement in the
grounds around his dwelling, any
where in town. a reward of $40 was
offered for evidence which would
lead 10 the conviction of any one
injuring the trees and foot-brifg es
under care of the association. About
1000 trees have been planted, and
the association has the income from
$4,000 of invested funds, supple
mented by individual subscriptions.
y - & The Laurel Hill associa.
ton, with an offer to pay one-half
the expense, induced the railroad
company TO add an acre and a half
to the grounds about the station, and
the association has beautifully
adorned these grounds.
Every acre of land, and every home
stead in Stockbridge has appreciated
in value by reason of the labors of
this society.
Mr.. Nortorup cites at length the
work accomplished by village i'm
BiONNiliNiN SOCiNNANN III N-ODINCllCul,
Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois
and Pennsylvania. 1t is not theories
he presents, but authenticated reports
of what has actually been done.
In speaking Of the lIonesdale, Pa,
association, organized less than four
years ago, and made up of women,
but admitting men as honorary mem
bers, Mr.. Northrup says:
at started vigorously with $50
members. Its officers are women
who have already shown great tact
and zeal in awakening town pride
and public spirit. The citizens and
the local papers heartily support
them. The young peoples auxiliary
society, including the school children.
is enlisted in protecting flower beds
and shrubbery. y
OF the society in Montclair, New
Jersey, Mr.. Northrup says: at was