The morning journal-courier. (New Haven, Conn.) 1907-1913, 1908-03-13
Proposition to Open New Haven
Historical Society's Build
ing Seven Days
a Week.
OFFICERS FAVOR SCHEME
Matter VIII be Presented at the Next
Directors Meeting-The Jour
nal Courier's Sug-
gestion.

plan to enable the public to visit the
museums of the city on Sundays,
which resulted in the opening Of the
Yale art school and the Peabody mu-
scum with such, unheard of success,
the Journal-Coufier last night inter-
viewed a number of men prominently
connected with the New Haven Colo
ny Historical society relative to the
opening of its doors to the public on
Sundays as well. In nearly every d.
rection the proposition was met with
enthusiasm, although in many quar-
ters 1t had not even been contem-
plated by these gentlemen before.
There seems to be every reason TO be-
lieve that the matter Will be taken up
by the directors Of the museum at once
and that 1t will be passed on favor
ably.
Prof. Williston Walker Of Yale, who
is the president of the New Haven
Colony Historical society, was asked
what he thought of the proposition
and almost without any hesitation he
replied that he thought II would be a
big success. He said he had been de-
lighted with the success of the Sunday
openings at Yale. The only obstacle
he saw in connection with the plan
would be the financial one. He said
the society Is now in financial con-
dition that is none too prosperous.
The opening Sundays would mean tho
hiring of guards.
Prof Walker was shown that this
would not be a big expense and that
perhaps an appeal TO the public for
funds would bring the desired money
quickly, and he thought 1t would.
Prof. Walker said he did not think
the large crowds that would come
would endanger the safety of the very
valuable things on show at the mu-
scum. He thought the exhibits would
be very interesting to the public gem
orally and agreed that the ignorance
about the city as to what may be seen
at the soclety's building was deplor-
able.
Rutherford Trowbridge, one of the
leading directors, looked at the mat
/ Ter Iilnlt lAplh tilt ltthb VI Wow VI tilt
society itself that from that of the
| public. He pointed to the great ad-
vertisement that the Sunday openings
had been to Peabody and said he was
sure that, If once the public became
more interested in the historical so.
ciety, its sphere would be widenet
many fold He thought it would al
most certainly result in gifts and be
quests to the institution. you ma,
nut me down as heartily i'm favor o.
your PLAN" said Mr.. Trowbridge. A
any rate. l think there is no one II
connection with the society whc
should he unwilling to give the plar
a try. I understand that there wa,
no little uncertainty at Yale as to JUS
| what the results would be. We mus
remember that our building is a small
| one in comparison with Peabody But
/ would rather see it iammed full thar
continually empty as it continually Il
now. | for one would not object e
| Sunday openings"
| Mr.. Trowbridge was told of Prof
/ walkers financial objection and he
said that was not by any means g
serious one 1t meant but the hire oi
| two or three men for two or three
hours Of Sunday afternoon. It could
! easily be met He said he was moi
4 sure but that it would pay to keeT
closed some week day, If need be, tC
save money to put towards Sunday
| openings
Frederick Bostwiek is the curator
| of the museum. He was seen at hi!
home on Lawrence street last night
He said IT was not matter for him Il
decide. but for the directors. ASKED
/ If there were many visitors week day!
+ now to the building, he said there
were not. Most Of those who visited tn
not Most of those who visited TIL
4 place were genealogists or others VIII,
wanted to study the old books on fill
4 there. He said he would not ohjeC
to the Sunday opening plan. He sal
he was not sure that the exhibit
would he as interesting to the publ
] generally as those at the Art schoc