New-York tribune., 1901-12-14
HISTORICAL SOCIETY TEA.
MANY PERSONS VIEW THE VALUABLE
RELICS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

Hosts OF people, many OF them strangers Tor
years 10 the treasures OF the Sew-Eork Historical
Society reviewed the collections IN the oul4olns
Yesterday at Second-ave. and Eleventh-st 1t was
a tea and the first afternoon social function held
there for more than a quarter Of century All
the collections were open TO the guests
Mrs James ". Lewton. daughter OF General An
derson, was chairman OF the ladies' coHInittee
and received in the library. Other members OF the
committee were stationed on the various floors
Mrs Frederic ]. De Peyster. with Miss j. l..
Beekman and Mrs. Alexander Van Nest presided
at the tea table IN the basement The walls were
hung with green, and American Beauties gave Flch
color the soTnore walls
The collections Of the Historical Society represent
aocumulations Of ninety-seven years and some OF
the rarest curios be found in this country are
among the treasures of the library and museum.
The library contains about hundred thou
sand volumes and the gallery nearly nine hun
dred paintings and seventy pieces OF statuary.
About four hundred Of the paintings comprise the
Thomas J. Bryan collection. presented 10 the So
oiety in 1857 Mr.. Bryan spent many years in
Europe in gathering the pictures with the view of
illustrating the progress of art in the various
schools. Many OF them are originals They include
specimens Of the Byzantine Venetian, F1orentine.
Flemish. Dutch, Italian. German, Spanish and
French schools.
in the collection of American portraits.
prisng 80 paintings, number Of the best early
American artists represented. Among them
are portraits of Washington by Gilbert Stuart
and Charles u. Peale. q portrait Of Charles Peale
by Benjamin West, and portrait Of John A. Dix
by Daniel Huntington.
Autographs of George Washington, Peter Stuy-
vesant Robert Fulton, Commodore Perry. John
Eliot and many other famous Americans are to be
found in the showcases Of the library. There is
also copy of Eliots old Indian Bible. One is
given to Revolutionary relics In IL gold
watch given by General Washington TO Colonel
Johnson at Trenton. December 10, l777; cane used
by Benjamin Franklin the gold cuff buttons and
wedding ring OF General HoraJio Gates. and the
gold medal awarded TO him by Congress for his
victory the battle OF Sa tatoga.
The collection Of early newspapers is one Of the
perfect in country, includes only
copy known 10 be il existence OF The boston
nsned Colonies. It began puDlcaIlon in 1aC4
ADDITION 70 It's American relics the society has
Henry ApDoJL, purchased by members frlenos
le57 The most valuable factors OF TINS correction
are three muLnnlned sacred bulls, SAID TO be the
only ones in the world. Inc most ancient members
OF the display are a necklace ana earrings once
worn by AeTles. the rrst Pharaoh of EgypI, whose
before Christ The necklace consists Of eight oval
plates connected by gold chains, and each plate
contains the stamp ana other ceVlces OF denes
There is also gold sgnet ring or CheopS, builder
are muInrnies of human beings, cats snakes. birds
and crocodiles, and detached feet and hands that
walked and wrought centuries ago
The building and a laSge number viii neTer be
shown until the society moves into its new build
ing, 70 be erected Central Park West, Seventy
it is the present intention keep the collections
open the public al all times.
The land. which includes entire block, was
Purchased few years ago for about $500 00o The
entire building projected, will cost Sl,G0.0o 4
sum OF more than 500 600 has already been raised
toward that amount, and as soon as the 100000
mark is reached the work will begin. The most
recent addition to the building fund was made by
7, Robert Schel who gave $4,000 in addition 10
his fathers bequest of $500 Il is the hope Of the
members that the centennial Of the society in 1904
may be celebrated in its home The present
membership of the society is a little over one
thousand, This includes about forty women
The other members Of the receiving committee
yesterday Mrs. Eugene A Hoffman, wife OF
The president Of the society; Mrs James A Glover
Mrs. Daniel Stimson, Mrs. William Beekman Mrs
John 4. Tucker. Mrs. F. Robert Schen, Miss Hor-
tense 4 Carney. Mrs. Charles A Sherman and
Mrs. Robert Kelly A poem. "A Goddess Dis
tressed," written by J. L. Beekman and engrossed
by Philip Schuyler de Luze, presented
memorial of the occasion, the society.