The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-02
MRS. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
HER VENETIAN PALACE rs
REtLII 4 WISEI VI.
She Has Had II Incorporated and Has
Secured the Free Entr, OF Dutiabie
Articles IieCausc 1he, Are for Edu.
catiOnai tsc Public Expects 10 Get In.

Articles IieCalsr The, Are for Edu.
catlOnal Use Public Expects TO Get tn.
BosToN. Jan. last winter il was
rurnOred that Mrs. Jack Gardner's far
famed Venetian palace in the Back bay
fens was destined 10 become a public art
museum, but the story was so vigorously
denied by persons supposed TO know that
the common people of Boston rave up all
hopes of ever seeing the interior Of the
famous building, much less the art trea-
sures assembled there. To-day IL was
learned that the building is owned by a
corporation, Of which Mrs. Gardner is tho
head, and that she will b. obliged TO admit
persons Of a lower state in society than her
self to part Of the palace or run the risk
of losing the charter.
BACK Bay people have been awaiting
with interest the opening to their own set
alone OF this palace. around which such a
veil OF secrecy has been thrown, and they
were greatly surprised to learn that the
huInblest citizen in Boston may have equal
rights there unless Mrs. Garuner's COM
pany pays the regular duties upon the
works Of art brought from abroad and
admitted without payment Of duties because
Uncle Sam allows such articles intended
for e educational purposes TO come in free.
The Isabella stuart Gardner Museum
in the Fenway, Incorporated" is the title
under which the corporation received a
charter under Massachusetts laws in Dscom-
Der, 1900. IT is capitalized at $1,000, in
shares Of $40 each. and Mrs. Gardner is
the Treasurer. John Chapman Gray is
President. Henry Walton Swift Ia s Gre
tary and the other directors are Harold
Jefferson Coolidge. Charles l.. Pearson,
William Thomas Sears and william AmoTy
Gardner.
The charter has ESCAPED public attention
up to the present time. although one OF
tho directors says that no attempt was
made to keep the matter a secret. The
capitalization al present 5 obviously nom
inal, and il is quite possible that the entire
stock is held by Mrs. Gardner. The or
ganization Of directors may be simply
within the requirements OF the law, snd
il is said at the Office Of incorporation at
the State House il might practically as
well have been 5000 as $50 900 or any
other sum and. Of course, has no bearing
or the money invested.
II il said that Mrs. Gardner hopes 70
take further advantage Of the customs
laws by which articles brought into this
country for educational purposes and TO
be displayed in churches, public insti-
tutions, &c. may BE- admitted without
duty, inasmuch as her company il incor-
porated for the purpose Of art education,
especially for the exhibition Of works OF
art, " as the charter states.
II is assumed from the description Of the
charter that certain parts, at least. Of the
Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum In the
Fenway" will be open to the public. a con-
dition of affairs that does not exist by any
means at the present time. President
GRAY OF the corporation, when seen by a
reporter. said that it was not the purpose
of tie directors TO discuss publicly its
Affairs, but that he would say that Mrs.
Gardner had taken the greatest care to seq
that all matters relating to the State and
Government had been complied with. A
TO how long il would Ina before the palace
would be open 20 the public. or to what
extent. II any. il would be opened, he had
nothing TO say.
Being obviously a corporation quite out
side of the order Of proft-naking bodies.
IL Is not obliged TO make returns OF any
description 10 the State, being left entirely
Go govern its own affairs, having complied
with all requirements. The fact OF part
of ia" house being used ~ a museum does
not necessarily preclude the rest Of IL being
used IA a rcsidenc by Mrs Gardner.