USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > Reports and papers. Fairfield County Historical Society, Bridgeport, Conn. 1882-1896-97 > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
I welcome you, the students and promoters of science, his-
23
tory and medicine, to the occupation of this building and bid you take, use and keep it forever for the true uses and pur- poses for which it was conveyed to yon ; and may the perma- nent establishment of these institutions prove of immense value to the material, intellectual, moral and physical well be- ing of the people of this city in all the ages to come.
Permit me in conclusion to make a single practical sugges- tion. It was ever the policy of Mr. Barnum in his public and private benefactions, to leave something to be done by the recipients of his bounty, believing that by so doing the great- er interests would be aroused and better results obtained than would follow a gift which obviated the necessity of any active co-operation and assistance on the part of the benefici- aries. The gift of this building to these societies affords no exception to this policy. This building has been accepted with full knowledge of the responsibilities thereby assumed. He has left something, both for ns, as members of these socie- ties, to do, and for those who, although not members, are pre- sumably interested in the worthy objects of these organiza- tions.
The societies will soon be in need of a permanent endow- ment fund. Is it too much to expect that this generous and magnificent gift will be speedily supplemented by the estab- lishment of such a fund ? Already evidences of this interest have been clearly manifested.
It affords me pleasure to announce that a person, financial- ly able to respond, has duly authorised me to make the fol- lowing proposition: For the purpose of establishing an "En- dowment Fund" of not less than 840,000, to be held by Trustees, or otherwise, as these societies, Historical and Sci- entific, shall order and determine: the principal to be secure- ly invested and the income thereof to be applied, first, to de- fray the expenses of heating, lighting, insuring, repairing and other charges on the property, and of a janitor ; and, second, to use the surplus income for the general purposes of the so- cieties.
Such person will give 810,000, provided an additional sum of $30,000 or more shall be raised on or before January 1, 1896.
24
ADDRESS OF ACCEPTANCE.
Rev. Beverley E. Warner, M. A., President of the Seien- tific Society :
It is a very grateful and pleasant task indeed to accept, on behalf of the Scientifie, Historical and Medical Societies, this Barnum Institute of Science and History. It is a very pleas- ant and grateful thought, to realize that the Scientific Society will hereafter have, what it has not had heretofore, a work- shop for the potencies that are possible from the present mo- ment. It is pleasant to think and to know that our collec- tion, which in some respeets is unique in this state, and in this country, has now a place within the rooms of the Seien. tifie Society, on the first floor of this building, and will have hereafter an appropriate, dignified and convenient home for its exhibition. It is equally good to think that the Historical Society, standing for the past of this city, of this county, of this state, and to a certain extent for the past of New Eng- land, will have for its accommodation a handsome and pleas- ant home also, so that those of us descended from that anees- try; from those who came from the old country to people this new, and indeed made of this eoast a " New England" without fear and without reproach among the nations; may have be- fore us these pictures and stones of the past. It is a goodly, I say a grateful task to have charged upon one to receive such a receptacle for these reminders of the oldlen times and events, of that old and in some sense harsh life ; but so full of such splendid possibilities and noble hopes, and to know that the Historical Society will have as its home a convenient place for its future work, so that the children of those who come here may see these evidences of that splendid past before them day by day, and take in some sense, heart and courage to live their lives in the 19th century along the moral lines of that life of which the collection of the Historical Society illustrates and typifies.
It is also a grateful task to receive, on behalf of the Medi- cal Society, their worthy home, a place which will stand as a centre, not only for them but for the Medical Society of the county and state, a type of that constancy and foree. which is
25
one of the highest types of which any community can boast. And we as citizens may be grateful that the Bridgeport Medi- . cal Society has in this building such comfortable quarters to which Bridgeport may point with pride as the home of that body of its citizens who aet under the title of the Bridgeport Medical Society; for nowhere in the state, nowhere in the coun- try is there a body of men to whom a community may look with greater respect, from whom a community may expect to receive greater help than to and from those who have their home in our midst, cradled between the homes of the Scien- tific and Historical Societies.
We receive this trust-I believe I'am not stating the mat- ter too strongly or going beyond the facts in the case too far when I say, we receive this trust not merely for the Scientific and Historical and Medical Societies-I think the intention of the donor of the Barnum Institute went beyond the mere ac- ceptance of this building on behalf of these societies for their own accommodation. I think his far-seeing eye looking down the distant future would say this institute was built for the public good. I think that was his intention in its construc- tion, from the foundation to the top pinnacle of this temple of science and history. It was along the line of making it minister to the people at large. If not, he builded better in- deed than he knew. We receive this trust-I am sure I speak for the members of these societies who have so kindly dele- gated the task to me of receiving it and speaking for them- I am sure I speak for them, as I speak for myself, when I say I accept this building as a trust for the whole community. It is not a building which any one or two or three societies should occupy and run merely for their own convenience. It is not a building to be occupied by this or that handfull, labeled by this or that name; it is not to be occupied in the interest of any party or any society or any clique. Far beyond the pos- session, the legal possession of this building by the societies themselves, is the sacred idea that they hold it in trust for the people (loud applause).
Leaving, then, to the representatives of the different socie- ties to explain the purposes and in some sense the workings
-
26
and the methods and the aim of these societies, let me ask you to note an answer to the question ; just for what are we ministering this trust ? In other words, just for what in this community does the Barnum Institute of Science and His tory, with all it involves, just for what does it stand! What is it we are to minister? Of what shall we give an account of our stewardship from time to time to the citizens of this community ? And will it not be found to be in this: that this institute stands for the intellectual life, the higher life of this community ? We have nothing like it in the city, we have nothing like it in the county or in the state. Surely in this community we cannot point to anything that may occupy, that is intended to occupy just this position, it being as it were a point of light upon the horizon, lifting itself into the higher intellectual atmosphere. Now leaving, as I say, the details t othe representatives of the societies gathered here, let me say that this institute properly administered will give to the intellectual life of this community an impulse such as it has never had before.
Our stores mark the commercial development of the com- munity, and, to a certain extent, stand for it. Our factories stand to mark that great light, that thrilling impulse to mod- ern civilization, invention and the application of invention. They stand for that in the community, and wherever the name of Bridgeport is known at all, it is known chiefest of all per- shap, as one of the great manufacturing centres of the United States.
Our churches stand distinctly, whatever the name, for the religious idea ; and they meet, and they unite upon the one plane of pointing man upward as regards the life of the soul and spirit.
Our schools stand for still another idea, which is the lead- ing forth of the individual powers of childhood that they may be trained for the good of the whole.
The Barnum Institute of Science and History stands for something different from any of these. It may draw from them al!, here and there and yonder, but it stands for something different still. Rearing its noble front above the chimneys of
27
our factories, and the walls of commerce, towering nearly to the spires of the surrounding churches, looking in a certain way, like some very fine building for purely educational pur- poses, it marks the high-water mark so far-of the intellectual life of this community. It looks upward. It stands for something that elevates man and lifts him upward.
Now will you say this is unreal and unsubstantial and will you say that the name of the Barnum Institute of Science and History, does not, after all, convey any strong idea of some- thing definite? Let us enroll the history of all mankind and see what has been at the bottom, see what has been the mov- ing force of every great thing, that has raised mankind-I care not in what form or plane of life it may be, I care not whether you bring the church or the schools or com- merce or trade or literature or art of whatever nature ; but wherever the force of progress has been potent, wherever the power of advance has taken root downward and borne fruit upward, that has been in some sense in its beginning. an unreal thing, an unsubstantial thing, an immaterial thing, and the great results that have been wrought for the best life of this age have sprung from those things which in the begin- ning were dreams. If not that, they have been things that you could not interpret in mere words. Let one undertake to interpret the flow of harmony from these instruments this evening. We receive the impression ; the technical scholar can mark the movements. We get something that is intangi- ble, and yet something that moves and stirs us. Perhaps we can use no better illustration than to say this institute stands for something that, to most of us, is perhaps just a mere name, and yet promises something that is far more than a name. I accept, then, on behalf of these societies, this building. I accept it in its work as a splendid dream. I ac- eept it, if you will say so, as merely a noble hope. I accept it, if you will as a beautiful prophecy. Now a hope, a dream, a prophecy, are neither one of them tangible things ; but out of them springs sacred things-noble lives, splendid accom . plishments of the human race. And I say, fellow-citizens of Bridgeport, that we owe a great debt to the one who has
-
28
1
made it possible for us to embody in actual outward form, an aspiration to the higher life ; and it is better, to fail along the line of striving to reach the higher life than it is to be satis- fied with a low life.
Now, as we minister from time to time through the Scien- tific and Historical Societies to the community, remember that just at this point we are as it were in the condition of reaching the goal after a night of trial and hardship. Our purposes are still unformed, naturally our accomplishments are crude. Possibly, if you will, there is little to show in a tangible shape just for what this institute is to be made. But standing here, remembering it is the community's building. that it is the people's university, that it is the possession of the public for which we are as stewards and trustees: so let us try to see-I do see it in the dim distance-the morning coming, and this building one of the first points of light. flaming upwards on the horizon of a higher and better life for this community than has ever dawned npon it before, because some one had a brave enough soul, and strong enough hope, and keen enough prophecy and a belief in the achievements of his fellow men, to enable him to see what might be done. and so he laid his hand upon the ground and the temple sprang up to its full magnificence and its full beauty ; but re- member it is the gift of a trust which must be used and must not be abused ; and let us trust this use may be what you and I long to see it, a real blessing and a real benediction and a real way mark on the new road of the higher life of this community we all love so well. (Applause.)
MR. WARNER :- On behalf of the Bridgeport Scientific So- ciety, I have great pleasure in introducing one who has been long interested in its work, Ex President Holden.
MR. HOLDEN'S ADDRESS.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
To say a word in behalf of the Bridgeport Scientific Socie- ty, upon an occasion like this, I esteem an honor and a high privilege. Would that I were possessed of the requisite abil- ity and eloquence adequately to set forth in a few minutes,
29
the progress of that society from its foundation to the present time, the importance and value of the untrumpeted work it has done, wherein, too, it has failed to do those things which ought to have been done, and which remain to be done, the reasonable possibilities within its power of accomplishment, and its consequent legitimate claims for support-in short, to state clearly the reasons why it has a right to exist. Unfor- tunately the only qualifications I possess for the performance of any part of such a task are some experience in the society's affairs, and a sincere devotion to its interests. I shall not weary you with any historical or statistical details nor, with laudatory allusions to any particular persons, but invite your attention briefly to what seems the most important feature of the relations of the Bridgeport Scientific Society to the Bridgeport public.
It is self evident that an institution in any wise of a public character that by its operations continuously returns less in valne of some kind than it expends in money and in the time and labor of its workers is a source of loss, and has no right to exist. On the other hand, an institution the returns of which exceed its expenditures is a source of profit. It pays, and is entitled to support.
But how shall the question of the relative value of cost and product be determined ? How shall we compare the intangi- ble results,-of which there is no unit of measure-with the definite sum of money involved in the cost.
It costs a certain, specifie sum of money to support our pub- lic schools. The returns are intangible and incorporeal, an increment of unmeasured intelligence and mental power : but the public has decided in that case, without a shadow of donbt, that the upward difference between an ignorant and an enlightened community is worth all it costs. In any anala- gous case, although no rule of measure or comparison can be formulated, the judgment of an enlightened public, from which there is no appeal, may be relied upon with full confi- dence that a correct decision will be made.
When the ground upon which stands this temple of science and history was conveyed to the society whose property it
30
now is, the grantor, after executing the deed, said to me, "I have made this gift because the Bridgepert Scientific Society, as well as the Fairfield County Historical Society, is an edu- cational institution. I confine my gifts now to educational purposes exclusively. Why, I would not run my circus another day if it were not a great educational institution." If I have mentioned this incident in public before, I think it will bear repetition, for the remark disclosed the motive and noble purpose of the giver, and at the same time illustrated his peculiar business bent.
Mr. Barnum was right. The Bridgeport Scientific Society is an educational institution, and on that ground only, I ap- prehend, can it lay claim to be worthy of support.
But what has it done in the way of education? You may read upon the programme for the current evening "Sixteenth Annnal Lecture Course." This is beginning with what is in reality of the least importance, but perhaps the best known. The annual lecture course has usually consisted of from fifteen to twenty lectures or papers, mostly of a popular character, delivered in part by members of the society and other resi- dents of Bridgeport, and in part by professional gentlemen of the highest standing from elsewhere, especially from Yale University and other seats of learning. The admission to these lectures has sometimes been free to the public, but more usually at a small charge averaging about ten or fifteen cents a lecture for the course. The attendance at these lec- tures has upon the whole increased year by year, and their appreciation is thus attested. The necessary conclusion is that these lectures pay. It must be admitted, however, that they are not of the highest educational value, for the reason they are not logically connected one with the other, and they require the attention of the hearer only for the time being. They may be edifying or satisfying, but they do not usually spur the audience to thought and action.
What is of much more importance, but I apprehend much less known, is the instruction which has been given to classes which have been formed from time to time under the auspices of the society for the study of special subjects, such as chem-
31
istry, electricity, mineralogy, geology, botany, entomology, etc. Not a few of the members of the society have given of their time and labor freely to the instruction of these classes, sea- son after season.
The admission to these classes has been absolutely free to all comers, whether members of the society or not. The members of the classes have really been obliged to think and to work. They have not only learned something but they have acquired the ability to use their knowledge. But far too little has been done in this direction. Visit our museum on the first floor of this building and you will see a magnificent collection of great pecuniary value, and of much greater edu- cational valne, if rightly used. But it must be admitted that that collection is not, to any great extent, the direct result of the work of this society. With the exception of specimens of Connecticut minerals, a collection of birds of this vicinity and a herbarium of limited proportions, but which will certainly soon be materially increased almost the whole of that splendid collection has been donated to us, it having originated in the fields outside of our sphere of labor here. We trust we are not unworthy of it; we prize it: we appreciate it ; but it is not the direct result of our own activity and labor. We should do something ourselves in the way of forming an educational museum of natural history.
Classes should be formed every season for the study of the different departments of natural history; and, if necessary, specialists from Yale University or elsewhere should be em- ployed, at any requisite cost, to give the proper, systematic and progressive instruction to the students: and, above all, to teach them to work. Within the short radius of a mile we have a practically inexhaustible mine of wealth for study and research. One result of such work, though not the main purpose of it, should be the formation of a museum completely illustrative of the botany, the zoology and the mineralogy of this neighborhood, a museum outweighing in educational value for us anything that could be obtained from abroad. The study of natural objects, organic or inorganic, together with cheni- istry and physics, is undoubtedly best suited to the educa-
32
tional purposes of this society. The pursuit of the sciences of observation and experiment is peculiarly fitted to develope a multitude of capabilities and to afford unbounded satisfac- tion. They afford the best and most valuable means of ration- al recreation the best hobby-horse. The man who is in pos- session of a good hobby-horse, if he rides it intelligently, has a never failing source of happiness. I really pity the buisness man who is without one. But there is no reason why our efforts in the direction of education should be confined to the subjects or the methods which have been mentioned; quite the contrary. During the past year and the present season there have been formed classes, under the auspices of the Bridgeport Scientific Society, upon the plan of University Extension, with very gratifying results.
The lectures delivered to these classes are progressive and logically connected one with another. The members of the classes are actually required to do something to study, inves- tigate and formulate results. In the accomplishment of the purposes for which this society exists, and to which we are pledged, let us avail ourselves of every legitimate resource that nature and human progress have placed within our reach. It is to be hoped that our Aesculapian friends, imbued with the spirit of Hippocrates, will lend a helping hand by giving instruction in anatomy, physiology and especially hygiene and the means of saving hfe which the lay-men may employ in cases of accident and other emergencies. Our efforts will un- doubtedly be supplemented by the Historical Society, our natural ally.
In view of the motive which prompted the giver of the home which we now posses, and the promises which we have made to the public, it is incumbent on us to do everything in our power to promote the diffusion of knowledge and make this edifice the home of a public school of high order, a sort of popular university, as our president has happily put it. There is only one obstacle at present in the way, and that is a purely financial one. The expense of maintaining this building amounts to no small sum, and whatever schemes of education are carred out, they will involve the outlay of a con- siderable sum of money.
33
How are these expenses to be met ? Fortunately, for about three years to eome the way is clear, thanks to the generous subscriptions of many of our fellow citizens, and especially the munificent contribution of Mrs. Barnum. Those of us who have repeatedly had experience in begging, hope that at the end of three years it will not be necessary to resort to it again. It ought not to be so. The yearly dues of the Sci- entific Society amount to $4, for each member. In this city of 50,000 inhabitants there ought to be members enough in that society alone to defray, from the annual dues, the entire cost of the maintenance of this building and the expenses of the society's proper work.
In this connection I would say that a large membership of ladies is particularly desirable. The time will doubtless eome when this institute, or the societies which compose it, will be endowed, It was a gratifying surprise to me, as doubtless it was to every one of you, when an encouraging announcement was made in that direction from this platform this evening? Let us hope that such a desirable cousumma- tion may soon be accomplished ; and in the meantime let us make a strenuous effort to support ourselves, to push forward vigorously the work to which we are committed, and return to the public more than we receive to the end that we may justify our existence, redeem our pledges and make the Bar- num Institute of Science and History a worthy monument to our benefactor, and an honor to our city, our state and our country. (Lond applause).
MR. WARNER :- The next address upon the programme which you will listen to, I am sure with a great deal of pleas- ure, is that of President Rowland B. Lacey of the Fairfield County Historical Society. I have great pleasure in introduc . ing Mr. Lacey. (Loud applause).
MR. LACEY'S ADDRESS.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :-
Though I feel my weakness most profoundly, I will not waste time in excuses-but proceed to say a word, Ist, about History in general, and, 2nd, about the Barmnu Institute and its relation to History, especially to our local History.
34
"History " has been defined "A methodical record of im- portant events which concern a community of men, usually so arranged as to show the connection of causes and effects."
The pre-eminent importance of the study of History does not need to be argued. That it has ever been thus regarded is attested by the honorable place accorded the true historian in ancient and modern times. The names of Herodotus, and Tacitus, Hume and Gibbon, Motley and Bancroft, are among the most illustrious of our race and will be cherished while time lasts.
History is made a prominent and essential part of the course of study, not only in all our colleges and higher educa- tional institutions, but of our common public schools ; and no one can be considered as accomplished and educated unless he is conversant, at least, with the leading events of both ancient and modern times.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.