The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-02
AN HISTORICAL MUSEUM
HAS BEEN RECENTLY OPENED AT
 GUILFORD, THIS STATE.

4 Circular Letter Sent Out by Rev. G. w. Banks-Iluseum DeScrIbed-Funds Needed to Complete the Extensive PIans-TO Whom Contributions May
 be Made.
 Rev. George W. Banks, chairman of the committee on ways and means, has sent out circular relating to the his- torical museum which has recently opened at Guilford. The contents of the circular are as follows:
 An historical museum has just been opened at Guilford, Conn, under the authority of the state, in the Henry Whitfield house (1639-40). About one hundred articles were deposited within two weeks, and many more are hoped for from the neighborhood. All who are interested in the town or the mu- scum are invited to make contributions illustrating the history of the state (which includes whatever relates to the life of our fathers), subject to rules of selection imposed by the nature of the institution and it's limited capacity. Ar ticles may be either given or lent. It should be remembered that such collec- tions not only serve foJ entertainment and have an educational value, but that they are often the means of rescuing most interesting memorials of the past from oblivion or destruction. Even cherished heirlooms, while more useful, if not doing more honor to their possess sors, when deposited in a museum are sometimes also safer The support of the new institution is matter of pri- mary concern. The title of the property is vested in the state, which contribut- ed $3,500 towards the purchase, and has since made an appropriation for main tenance of $2,000. payable within two years lending July 1, 909). The town of Guilford has appropriated $3000 and in- dividual residents gave about $750 more. Members of the Society of Colonial Danes supplied about half of what was lacking to the total amount ($S,500 in alb, and have undertaken to bear more than half the cost of providing a large apartment for the principal collections, the apartment to be finished in the style of the seventeenth century, and sub stantially reproducing one which the house is said to have contained orig- nally. Numerous small gifts would promote that diffusion of interest which is so necessary to the success of the in- stitution, and an association, with a small annual membership fee has been suggested. The trustees cannot trans fer their own duties to others, but they are authorized to receive contributions of money from any societies." and if others were to form such an association 1t might be useful in many ways.
 In illustration of the various uses to which contributions, large or small. can ultimately bue put, it is enough to say that the trustees have power to permit a portion of the house to be used as a library, which ought to consist largely of modern works in history, biography and genealogy, having to do, as far as possible, with Connecticut and it's towns and having generally to be purchased; and that the house itself, the interior of which is wholly modern, might grad ual1y be restored to something like it's original appearance, 'within and with out As the collections increase it may be desirable to provide eeparate dwell ling of suitable design for the curator, and 1t may be thought we'll to devote at least part of the grounds Consist ing of eight acres) to garden laid out in the early colonial manner. forming with the house the most striking feat ure of an historical exhibition.
 Contributions may be sent to Joel T. Wildman, treasurer of the trustees. Correspondence with regard to the col- lections may be addressed to the com mittee on collections. consisting of Mrs Godfrey Dunscombe. 324 Prospect street, New Haven; MT Wildman and Rev. Dr. Andrews, of Guilford.