The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-09-22
MUSEUM FORMALLY OPENED
HOME FOR HISTORICAL RELICS
IN GUILFoRD.

Hear speeches-Nominee Roberts Un-
able to be Present-Over Two Hun
dred at Luncheon.
In Guilford yesterday exercises were
held at the formal opening Of the State
Historical museum, in what is known
as the Henry Whitfield, or Old Stone
house, OF Revolutionary fame.
The day was perfect, although
trlae cool and large crowd attended
the opening exercises, among them
prominent men from all parts Of the
state including Ex-Governor Morgan
G. Buckley of Hartford, and Colonel
A. Heaton Robertson Of New Haven,
the democratic nominee for governor Of
Connecticut. ...-... -. .-..
There were also delegations present
from Branford and Stony Greek, and
las far as New Haven and Hartford,
aul from all the shore resorts in the
vicinity. ... ..-
The guests began to come into the
village on the early morning trans,
but the majority of them, especially
those from a distance. did not arrive
until a little before noon or a short
time before the reception committee
had begun to receive those who had
already assembled.
4 After shaking hands with the differ
ent members Of the committee the
guests We're shown over the old stone
house occasionally by members of the
Ecommittee.
The rooms OF the museum were very
lartisticaIly arranged, old time spinning
wheels, colonial swords, muskets, pow
der horns and sldlfully made house
thold articles predominating, although
the museum is filed with historical rel
les OF all kinds.
At 1870 luncheon was served in the
dining room by committee Of ladies.
This committee represented the United
Workers OF Gullford. under whose di-
lrection the entertainment had been
provided by the Guilford ladies.
1 After luncheon was served the
guests gathered on the lawn to hear
the speaking, and during the exer-
cises heavy north wind blew across
the ground and although the sun was
shining brightly the spectators We're
made rather uncomfortable
| Judge Lynde Harrison of New Ha-
ven, who was president of the day.
opened the exercises with a brief adj
dress. He began by telling how the
Whitfield house was the Oldest beyond
doubt Of any In the original thirteen
colonies, not even excepting very old
one in Florida. He said that it was
erected by Henry Whitfield in about
E164O. He then reviewed the history of
4 the house and told how during the last
two hundred years it had been owned
by but two families. He closed by
complimenting those who had recently
taken an interest in the old place and
by introducing Ex-Governor Morgan G.
Buckley of Hartford. -.
Mr.. Buckley said that he had not
expected to be called upon to speak
for the state Of Connecticut, but said
that it was a very pleasant duty. He
& said that 1t was a memorable occasion
that had called the people of the state
and Guileord together and said that
the old house would stand yet for
many more years.
He then eulogized the work OF the
Connecticut government during past
years. He said that the historical So
cieties had been a great help in getting
the state to take an interest in pre-
serving old buildings and landmarks.
He said that 1t was a pleasure to
meet the people before him and greeted
them in the name OF the common
wealth of Connecticut.
The next speaker was Prof. Samuel
Hart, d. D., Of Hartford, president of
the Connecticut Historical society.
He began by speaking of the social
work that had been done by the Con-
Eneoticut Historical societies and said
< that the old Whitfield house would all
ways be safe from decay. He reviewed
the history of GuiIford and said that
in early times that 1t was the only log
ical place for the house to be built. He
also went into the history OF certain
parts of the state in detail and at
4 he conclusion of his address received
a round Of applause.
i The next speaker was Prof. Williston
Walker, d. D., president Of the New
Haven Colony Historical society, who
4 devoted his time to reviewing the life
of Henry Whitfield.
/ Mrs. Cheney of Manchester next read
/ a paper to the same effect although
she disagreed with Mr.. Walker in re-
gard to some points in Whitfield's
character. At the conclusion of the
reading she received hearty applause
The last speaker was Colonel Charles
w. Pickett. editor Of the New Haven
Evening Leader, and he made an ad-
dress for the Connecticut Press. He
started by telling humorous story,
the scenes of which were laid in Ok
ford university and raised a laugh
from his audience. He then said that
the paper that Mrs. Cheney had just
read was one Of the best that had ever
been prepaid by a woman In Con-
necticut. He said that he wished very
much that his friend, Editor Clark of
the Hartford Gourant, could be pres
ent to speak for the press of Connecti-
cut in his place, as he knew that they
would ali enjoy hearing him speak. He
told a story about some chickens and
a boy and referred to himself as the
bantam OF the Connecticut press. He
concluded by praising the good work
that had been done by women and by
4