MISCELLANEOUS STATE SOCIETIES. The following associations and societies are not under the control of the state government, but are given here as a matter of information and reference. Some of them are oncouraged by annual appropriations from the state, while the transactions of some of the associations are published by the state. The State Historical Society is the corporate trustee of the state; the governor, secretary of state and state treasurer are exofficio members of its managing board; and vouchers for disbursements from its annual state appropriation are by law filed with the governor. The State Historical Society of Wisconsin was originally organized in October, 1846, with A. Hyatt Smith as president, and Thomass W. Sutherland as secretary. In January, 1849, there was a reorganization, with Gov. Nelson Dewey as president, a list of vice-presidents covering all the counties of the state, and Increase A. Lapham as secretary. But for various reasons the society did not prosper during its earlier years, and a second reorganization was effected under an act of legislature approved March 4, 1853. This charter the society still works under, and since the annual meeting on the first Thursday in January, 1854, the growth of its influence and importance has been steady and rapid. At this meeting, Lyman C. Draper, then of Philadelphia, was chosen secretary. With conspicuous ability, he served the society for thirty-three years, until the annual meeting of January 6, 1887, when he declined re-election; he was then in his 72d year, and desirous of devoting his remaining days (he died August 26, 1891) to complet ing some individual literary work which he had long had in hand. At this annual meeting of January 6, 1887, Reuben G. Thwaites, who had been for two years previous the assistant secretary, succeeded Dr. Draper as the executive officer of the society, and the editor of its publications. Daniel S. Durrie became identified with the society in 1856, as librarian, remaining constantly in service until his death, August 31, 1892. He was succeeded by Isaac S. Bradley, who had been assistant librarian since April, 1875. When Secretary Draper took direction of the society's fortunes, its library consisted of but fifty volumes and pamphlets; there was neither museum nor art gallery, and the institution was quartered in a corner of the secretary of state's office. Today the society is domiciled in the south wing of the capitol, two floors being devoted to its now famous library, and another-partitioned into three halls-to its growing museum of ethnology, archeology, and history, and its historical portrait gallery, in which are displayed oil portraits of over 200 distinguished Wisconsin pioneers and Indian chiefs. Its collection of relics of the War of Secession is large and interesting. About 50,000 persons visit the museum and portrait gallery annually, while the library attracts scholars and specialists from all parts of the union. The library accessions number some 7,500 books and pamphlets per year. At present the shelves contain about 185,000 books and pamphlets, covering every department of American history, as well as taking a general sweep of English and continental history, and scientific development. The library is also particularly strong in genealogy, bound newspaper files, Shakespeariana, and sets of the periodicals indexed in "Poole." It has a notable collection of works by Wisconsin authors. Its collection of bound manuscripts number over 600 stout folio volumes, covering the froutier history of the Mississippi basin; and in Western history generally, no other library approaches this. It is of particular value as an aid to the students of the State University, who daily throng the reading rooms and deem the ample facilities for original research there given them, as one of the most important advantages of student life at the capital. This flourishing institution ranks third in importance among American historical societies, and certainly it is the most important west of the Alleghanies; indeed, it is recognized in some respects by experts, as the most active and enterprising of them all. It has done and is doing a noble work for Wisconsin - indeed for the entire west - by resurrecting and perpetuating the records of our development in its volumes of Wisconsin Historical Collections, thirteen in number, which contain practically all the materials now obtainable for the varied and romantic history of our commonwealth; by collecting and keeping up, abreast of the times, a library of Americana, which as to size and scope has but two rivals in this country, Harvard College and New York State Library, and they on the Atlantic slope; and by maintaining a museum and a portrait gallery which are of growing interest and educational value to the citizens of the state. The several publications of the society take high rank among men of letters everywhere, and are eagerly sought for by students of American history. The society receives an annual appropriation of $5,000, on condition that the sum shall be expended for the purposes of the society, and that the society shall hold all its present and future collections and property for the state, and shall not sell, mortgage, or dispose of, or remove from the capitol its collections without authority from the legislature; provided, that duplicates may be sold or exchanged for the benefit of the society. In addition to this annual appropriation, the officers of the society have collected, after twenty-two years of persistent efforts, by means of individual bequests, donations and membership dues, a binding fund of some $27,000. An antiquarian fund is also well under way, to be devoted in due time to original historical investigation, or the purchase of rare manuscripts or other historic relics within the limits of the state. The Draper fund consisting of some $6,000 worth of property, willed to the society by Dr. Draper, has just been established; its income will be devoted to indexing and publishing the Draper Collection of early western manuscripts. Other special funds, particularly one for the purchase of accessions for the museum, are immediate needs. A beautiful new fire-proof building is now being built at Madison for the society, by the State, in accordance with chapter 298 of the laws of 1895. It is to cost about $200,000, is of Buff Bedford Indiana limestone, and promises to be one of the finest buildings owned by the State. The society expects to move into its new quarters during the spring o f1899, The society was organized March 8th, 1851, and held a state fair at Janesville in October of the same year. A state fair has been conducted annually by the society since that date, with the exception of three years, '61 to '63. Up to and including 1890 the state fair was held at Watertown once, at Fond du Lac twice, at Janesville six times, at Madison eleven times and at Milwaukee seventeen times. In 1891 the location of the state fair was permanently fixed at Milwaukee. The grounds consist of 140 acres of land admirably adapted to the purpose to which they are dedicated. An excellent one-mile track, fine grand stand, convenient and substantial exhibition buildings and a system of water works supplied from a flowing spring upon the grounds have been added and the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society has now the basis of one of the best equipped state fair parks in the country. Annual conventions for the discussion of farm topics are held by the society at the capitol in Madison during the first week in February, the proceedings being published in the annual reports of the society. The society's rooms are in the north side of the west wing of the capitol. Executive Committee-Chester Hazen, Ford du Lac county; Stephen Faville, Dane county; H. C. Adams, Dane county; Prof. W. A. Henry, Dane county; W. D. Hoard, Jefferson county; O. H. Everett, Rock county. |