Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-28
4 GIFT
SUPERB
PrinCeIy Donation Made TO
the State Historical
Society
BY President and Mr.
e. K. Adams Before
Leaving
Jewels, Books, BriC-a-
Brac and Furniture in
Collection
Madison, Nov. %.

When President and Mrs. Charles
Kendall Adams leave Wisconsin for
California in search Of rest and health,
as they soon expect 20 do, they will
leave behind them az enduring monu-
eoent of their interest in popular edu-
cation. Their deep personal concern
In the education Of the people has Of
course long been appreciated; and
eoald all of their private benefcences
be made knoWn,-which is impossible,
because such publicity they have al
ways avoided,-it would be seen that
many student has received needed
material assistance in winning his or
her way through the state university
Several university scholarships have
at various times been the outcome Of
their generosity, and many a public
charity has been helped along
But of even wider public benefit than
these have been the substantial gifts
just made by them to the purchasing
Iunds, and to the library and museum
oil the State Historical society, which
las accepted them in the name Of the
people OF the state, whom the society
serves as trustee
Th Adams house has always been
known as a repository of many beauti-
fnl objects in furniture, books, bric-a-
brac, pottery, and the fine arts, These
have been accumulated through a life
time of wide travel and public service.
the most of them have of course been
purchased both in America and in
foreign lands; but many are gifts from
prominent literary and artistic friends,
and are thus weighted with personal
associations with men and women of
prominence in the two hemispheres.
as the president and his wife do not
intend again to keep house it is pos
Bible for them to part with these pos
sessions in their own life time rather
than wait for their disposal by will.
From the personal library of Mrs.
Adams, the state historical library
officials have been allowed to make
their choice, several hundred interest
ing books, many of them presentation
copies, being thus added to the al
ready monster collection Of the So
ciety. President Adams retains his
own books during his life time, but
has willed them. to the state univer-
sity library.
To the museum of the society Presi-
dent and Mrs. Adams have given prac-
tically everything in their possession
which can be of interest in public
collection. These comprise pictures
in oil, pastel and water color, marble
statuary, etchings, steel engravings,
and photographs. Among them are
the two beautiful life-size oil por-
traits of DR.. and Mrs. Adams, which
have for nine years adorned the din
ing room of the presidents house, but
which were last winter exhibited in
the rooms of the society. Other
noticeable pictures, are oil paintings
Of the Via Appia, Midnight Sun, Mt.
Hood, Lake George, Mont Blanc, Lake
Como, Sorrento, Portrait of Bride
and a score of others quite as deserv-
ing of mention. There are several
particularly beautiful water-colors of
Venice, Traitors Gate, etc, and q pas
tel Portrait of a Girl, which is very
charming The engrayings, etchings
and photographs represent wide
range of interest, prominent among
them being a rare and very beautiful
engraving Of Warwick Castle, which
President Adams greatly admired.
There are also numerous paintings on
porcelain, which are of high value as
works Of art. Among the few marbles
are striking life-siZe bust of Zenobia
by Story-of course an ideal portrait.
The furniture from the Adams house,
now in the historical society's museum,
is limited to a few especially fine
pieces, among them, several large oak
chairs, chairs with ivory and pearl
lnlaid, delightful old Florentine
trousseau chest that would make even
q bride of our day feel enyious.
Florentine cabinet, another of inlaid
ivory and mother-of-pearl. a gilt and
malachite table, and Japanese and
German fire-screens
IN bronzes and brasses there are
several excellent pieces. The former
consist of statuettes, urns, pitchers,
candelabra, and hanging lamps. The
brasses include vases. lamps and
PLAQUES. There are also numerous
beautiful articles made from mala-
chite, alabaster, ivory, majo1ica terra
Gotta. Venetian glass, silver glass and
inlaid woods. Some of these are of
considerable historic interest.
The department of pottery will alone
attract the attention of every visitor
to the museum who is interested in
rare and beautiful specimens Of this
art Nearly all of the famous wares
are generously represented a casual
examination revealing the presence OF
-1yal Berlin. Cantagalli, lie Move