St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-11-22
ST. JOHNSBURY ATHENKUM
FORTY YEARS
Continued from page II

literature and poetry The second
lecture was given by Rev. L. o. Bar
stow, pastor of the South church.
His keen and vigorous analysis OF
standard literature ranked it as a
great civilizer of the world The ar
rant humbugs that pose under the
garb of literature were denounced
and this library was welcomed as
likely to put out the cheap book ped
Ter. This institution stands as an
embodiment of true culture, and
culture it is that adorns our race.
The dignity and priceless value of
refined literature was set forth in
terse and forceful terms.
The last lecture by Edward T..
Fairbanks, was entitled, A Walk
among the Alcoves. Three boys who
had grown up together in the viii
1age, Bion, Mage, Guelph, now after
years of separation, CHANGED to meet
this afternoon in the Athenaeum.
They spent an hour and ten minutes
together, inspecting the building,
dipping into the volumes, eXchang-
ing comments about books and au-
thors; thus covering in their ramb-
ling talk an outline description of
what was stored here for the people
to become acquainted with.
After music by the orchestra, the
donor came forward and said-''It
was early much cherished purpose
of mine to place at the disposal of
the citizens of this town, in my life
time, free public library" After
referring to the slow process of the
work and thanking the people for
their patient waiting, he added
"And now fellow citizens and towns
men, it gives me profound satisfac-
ton and sincere pleasure to present
to you and your children and to all
who may come after you, the free
use of this building and it's contents.
My highest ambition will be satisfied
and. fullest expectations realized if
now, and in the coming years, the
people make the rooms of the Athe-
naeum a favorite place of resort for
patient research, reading and
study"
In the midst of the resulting ap-
plause, Judge Poland rose and ask
ed permission to speak on behalf of
the citizens. He said in part
''This gift is one of singular muniti-
cence By it the giver has opened
fountain of learning whose stream
will flow on thro all time. = The
people appreciate the gift. 1t has
there has been no opportunity here
tofore of manifesting enthusiasm,
yet they feel in their hearts this
night the value of what is given
them. The only reward we can Of
fer for the gift bestowed is to use
it WE'LL
The building was now fully open
ed for the first time to all, and sew
eral hundred people spent the hour
in passing to and fro, and eXchang
ing congratulations. The children
of the town were invited in the next
afternoon and entertained with mu-
sic and short addresses and an OPP
portunity to see all they wished to.
From that day to this they have fire.
quented the library in large num-
bers. They quickly learn where to
find what they want and the output
of juvenile books during recent |
years has been about One-third the
entire circulation. i
The Art gallery was not complet- |
ed till 1873. The installing of Bier
stadt's Domes of the Yosemite as it's
central feature ranked this at once in
the fore front of fine art collections. |
New York papers deprecated its
consignment to the obscurity of a
small village in Vermont; the people |
who live up here in this Obscurity
are nevertheless quite capable of
approaching the dignity it lends to
their small village.
About fifty other paintings, also
statues and medalliOns were added /
and the gallery with these furnish
ments, with it's high glass dome and
spacious polished floor made a new
place of attraction for people to re-
sort to. On every New Years Eve,
while Gov. Fairbanks lived, the
building was opened for a general
reception to which everybody was in
vited. The brightly lighted gallery,
with its fresh works of art, the ger-j
music, the profusion of con-
bloom and greenery,
with the very hearty well
come of the host and family, made
these occasions of unusual popular
interest to which throngs of people
came from all parts of the town.
The Athenaeum Hall was intended
to be auxiliary to the educative use
of the library. Series of popular
lectures were provided on various ,
topics. Among these were a series s
Of ten historical lectures, eloquently ]
delivered, by DR.. John Lord, now in {
GUIDED in his Beacon Lights of His 3
.ory; a Sc les by Prof w. D. Gun $
ming on the Life History of our
Planet, skilfully illustrated with 7
,halk drawings; lectures were given {
n American History by Prof. John {
Fiske There were also occasional $
single lectures on different topics, Y
ind in more recent years, lectures or {
concerts under the auspices of our {
home institutions. This Hall was G
designed to serve the public benefit |
,nly, and no entertainment for per- S
onaI profit has ever been admitted. c
The combination of library and G
eading room with art gallery and c
ecture hall rendered appropriate
he adoption of the name Athe- c
Iaeum, as indicating more than t
merely a collection of books. This 4
Iame was from the first welcomed as S