USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Professional and industrial history of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 52
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526
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
time and labor involved in the care and direction of the library, how- ever, was so great that after a few years the entire management was given into the hands of the apprentices themselves, who for that pitr- pose formed the Mechanics' Library Association, having full control of the library, subject only to the supervision of the Massachusetts Me- chanic Association. It is claimed that this was the first library ever organized in the world exclusively for benefit of apprentices.
The subject of the establishment of a scheme in which apprentices could pursue studies especially adapted to their needs, was early con- sidered, and in 1828 an appropriation of $200 was made for that pur- pose. The school opened with nearly a hundred pupils, and the suc- cess attained was very gratifying. Annual appropriations for the sup- port of schools were made, gradually increasing in amount. In 1833 the visiting committee, in their report to the association, say: "The disposition of a considerable portion of our income within the last few years to purposes of improvement in intellectual and scientific pursuits by means of lectures and a school for apprentices, has given to the as- sociation a degree of popularity, and demanded of the public a consid- eration and respect for the individuals of which it is composed, which would not, probably, have ever been derived from its operations as a charitable institution only. In 1846 a drawing school was opened at an annual cost of about $600. This is believed to have been the first school opened in Boston for the instruction of beginners in drawing from ob- jects. In time, however, the number of scholars decreased, and it was considered advisable to pay for the tuition of apprentices in other schools. In 1859 the association expended nearly $1,000 for the purpose. The gradual decline of the apprenticeship system, the improved methods adopted in the public schools, and the establishment of the Lowell School of Design, led to the final abandonment of this work. The last donation in this direction was made in 1876, when $4,000 was given to assist the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the institute agreeing in consideration of the gift to admit two pupils, free of expense, recom- mended by the association. In 1889 the corporation of the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology discontinued the School of Mechanic Arts and returned to the association the $4,000 advanced, and since that time the society has considered the expediency of establishing trades schools, but as yet has agreed upon no definite plans.
This venerable association has often been a participant in patriotic demonstrations, and public attention has always been directed toward
C. Daniel
521
MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
it on occasions necessitating the prompt co-operation of the people in carrying out movements designed to interest and benefit the commit- nity. In 1800 the selectmen of Boston requested the association to join in celebrating the funeral obsequies of George Washington, who had died December 14, 1799. The officers of the association at once ex- tended an invitation to all the mechanics in the town to join in the pro- cession. The response was general, and forty-five delegations, repre- senting as many different trades and occupations, took part in the imposing ceremonies, which occurred on the 9th of January. A similar observance took place February 22, 1800, the president of the United States having issued a proclamation recommending the day to be observed as a day of "mourning and humiliation " in memory of Washington. The procession was formed in State street, and escorted a large body of prominent officials to the South Church, where appro- priate services were held, including an oration by Rev. Joseph Tucker- man, a son of the first vice-president of the association. The entire services were of a high order of merit, and were extensively and favor- ably noticed in the newspapers of that day. In 1818 the association took part in the ceremonies attending the laying of the corner-stone of the Massachusetts General Hospital. In June, 1825, they gave a pub- lic dinner, in honor of General Lafayette, at the Marlboro' Hotel, while on his last visit to this country. It was an occasion of great public interest. Among the invited guests were most of the prominent per- sonages in the Commonwealth, including the governor, members of Congress, Daniel Webster, an honorary member of the association, among the number, the secretary of war, and many other distinguished officials. The president of the association, Samttel Perkins, welcomed Lafayette to the city in well chosen words, to which the illustrious guest made an appropriate response. Toasts were given, to which re- sponses were made by the eminent men present. Ex-President John Adams, being detained at home by ill health, sent a letter expressing regret at his enforced absence, and enclosing the sentiment: "The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association: 'Tis theirs to teach an art beyond the rules of art-charity." It was the last illness of this eminent statesman, and he died fourteen days later. In 1827 the citi- zens of Boston rebuilt the monument, erected by Benjamin Franklin, over the graves of his parents in the Granary burial ground, which had become dilapidated by time. The corner-stone was laid by Hon. Charles Wells, president of the association, in the presence of the gov-
528
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
ernor, and city, State and national officials. The address was delivered by Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn. In 1832 the association assisted in cele- brating the centennial of Washington's birthday. In 1834 they con- ducted the ceremonial observances of Lafayette. In 1848 they attended the public funeral observances of John Quincy Adams, and in 1852 those of Daniel Webster.
The connection of the association with the erection of the commem- orative monument on Bunker Hill furnishes additional evidence of the patriotic sentiment which exists among the members. The monument was commenced in 1825 by a body of patriotic and public spirited citi- zens. The work was carried on until 1828, when the original funds, created by subscriptions, became exhausted, and the work was neces- sarily suspended. The structure had been raised about thirty-five feet above the massive foundations. In the month of May, 1833, Amos Lawrence, by letter, proposed that the association should endeavor to procure by subscription a sum of money sufficient to complete the monu- ment. This the association undertook, and by the expenditure of much time and efforts, they were so successful that in conjunction with the amount realized from a fair held in Quincy Hall under the auspices of the ladies of the Commonwealth, the monument was completed. At the ceremonies in honor of its completion, which took place June 12, 1843, the association attended in a body, forming a conspicuous feature in the grand procession. The oration on this occasion was delivered by Daniel Webster. In acknowledgment of the efficient service rendered in this undertaking, the Monument Association constituted the society's president, at the time their first vice-president, and ex-President Frederic W. Lincoln has been a trustee continuously since 1854, and president since 1890.
The Franklin statute, which for more than a generation has been a conspicuous object in front of the City Hall on School street, was really one of the offsprings of the association. The first suggestion came from an honorary member, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, in a lecture de- livered before the association in November, 1853. The society took up the subject, and with the co-operation of a committee of the citizens of Boston, raised the necessary funds and carried the work to a successful conclusion. On the 17th of September, 1856, the anniversary of the settlement of Boston, the statue was inaugurated with elaborate cere- monies, the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop delivering the inaugural address, President Frederic W. Lincoln, of the association, delivering an ap- propriate and elegant presentation address
529
MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
During the War of the Rebellion the association fervently sustained the Union cause. On April 17, 1861, it was voted to raise the national flag on the Mechanic building at once. With cheers by the people as- sembled and a short speech by Vice-President Stimpson, the flag was raised to the breeze. from the roof. The association joined in a public parade and patriotic meeting of the citizens on Boston Common on the afternoon of Wednesday, Angust 22, 1862; and also in a procession on the 29th to welcome Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran, of the volunteer army, and other distinguished citizens of New York. About two hun- dred and fifty of the members were in line. On the 24th of October, 1862, it was voted to tender an escort to Col. Thomas E. Chickering and the Forty-first Regiment on the occasion of their departure for the seat of war. On the 6th of November following, the association, under the leadership of Nathaniel J. Bradlee, assembled and formed a proces- sion for this duty. The National Lancers and the Roxbury Reserve Guards were also participants in the ceremonies.
It is in connection with exhibitions of industry, skill and art that the association is, perhaps, most widely known. The idea of holding ex- hibitions, however, does not seem to have been entertained until many years after the organization of the association, and even then the sub- ject was brought to the attention of the members incidentally. In June, 1818, the president received an anonymous letter, enclosing the sum of $35, with the request that the same be given under the auspices of the association in prizes to coopers' apprentices for the best casks to be made by their own hands. The trust was accepted, dne notice given, the exhibition took place, and the prizes were awarded on Boston Common on the following Fourth of July. Ten casks were exhibited, and the money was given in three prizes: $20 to the best cask, $10 to the second best, and $5 to the third. The remaining seven casks were sold at auction on the spot, and brought good prices. The experiment was a complete success, and was repeated the following year, when $80-given by the former patron, who proved to be William Wood, a well-known Boston merchant of that period-was awarded in prizes for casks and hats. As before, the articles exhibited were disposed of at auction. In 1820 a much more elaborate display was made, this time at the Washington Gardens, when $60 in money and three silver medals were awarded for eleven exhibits, consisting of harnesses, doors, wheels, ships' blocks, boots and barrels. The year following a larger sum of money was raised by subscription, and the time changed to October,
67
530
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
the exhibition, like its predecessors, being a success. No further ex- hibitions of this kind were held, but the subject of holding them an- nually on a much larger scale was advocated. Several years passed, however, without any action being taken, and in 1832 the subject was referred to a committee, but nothing was accomplished until the close of 1836, when a committee reported strongly recommending immediate action. This was at once carried into execution, the association at the meeting in January, 1837, making an appropriation for that purpose. The Board of Government and twelve members of the association were constituted an Executive Committee, of which Stephen Fairbanks, the president, was chairman, under whose direction arrangements were perfected, and the exhibition successfully inaugurated. It was held in the second stories of Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, which for the purpose were connected by a temporary bridge, and which in various forms was repeated at subsequent exhibitions. The opening was cele- brated by an address by Edward Everett, then governor of the Com- monwealth. The exhibition proved in all respeets a gratifying success. " The city and country poured forth their populations," says one chronicler, " to see the wonderful display. People were surprised at every step with some new contrivance, and puzzled and bewildered in contemplation of the whole, but manifested unqualified pleasure and exaltation." The experiment was so successful that the managers recommended an early preparation for a similar exhibition the next year. All doubts of the usefulness of these exhibitions in bringing to public notice the latest mechanical inventions and improvements, their power to educate the public taste, and stimulate to further triumphs in changing rude materials into forms of beauty and utility were dispelled. Those who coldly received the first advances of the enthusiasts in favor of the experiment were compelled to join in the general expression of satisfaction with the splendid result. The second exhibition was held in the autumn of the year 1839, with results quite as satisfactory to all. as the first had been. William Washburn was superintendent. In number, variety and quality the exhibits were remarkable, the Execu- tive Committee awarding twenty-four gold and thirty-three silver medals, and 254 diplomas. From this time periodical exhibitions seem to have been fully accepted as an established enterprise of the society, permitted by its charter, in keeping with the character of its organiza- tion, and promising from their pecuniary results to aid in forwarding the other objects embraced in the charter of the association. The third
531
MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
exhibition occurred in 1841, the fourth in 1844, at which the association made a net gain of more than $:,000. The fifth took place in 1841, Joseph M. Wightman being superintendent. The sixth was held in 1850, the seventh in 1853. These were all financially successful. The eighth occurred in 1856, the ninth in 1860, the tenth in 1865, the eleventh in 1869, and the twelfth in 1874. These had all been held in Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The thirteenth, which occurred in 1848, however, was held in a building especially constructed for the purpose on Columbus avenue, Park Square and Pleasant street, with an art gallery on Columbus avenue, connected by a short bridge over Church street. The location was a favorable one for the convenience of exhibitors and visitors, and the whole enterprise was an abundant success. The fourteenth exhibition was held in 1881, the fifteenth in 1884, the sixteenth in 1886, the seventeenth in 1890, and the last one, the eighteenth, in 1892. The last five exhibitions have been held in the association's building on Huntington avenue. The gain in num- bers and quality of exhibits has been fairly uniform from the begin- ning. These latter exhibitions have been open to the goods and com- petition of the whole country, and the awards have been widely distributed among the skillful and industrious people of all the States of the Union.
The desire to own a building themselves, that the association might have a permanent home and a suitable place for meetings, seems to have been entertained by the leading members almost from the start, and as early as 1798 a committee was appointed to make inquiries in regard to a location. In 1802 another committee submitted plans for a building, and recommended the purchase of a vacant lot on Bowdoin Square. Their funds, however, necessarily small, did not warrant the undertaking, and the subject was postponed. But the idea was by no means abandoned. Frequently in the following years it was made the subject of investigations and reports by committees, and with the gratifying increase in the funds of the association the desire to possess a hall correspondingly increased. In 1843 negotiations were com- menced which finally resulted in the purchase of the Boott estate in Bowdoin Square, and singularly enough was the identical lot that had been recommended for purchase nearly fifty years before. It contained nearly seventeen thousand feet of land, on which stood a mansion house and stable. At the time of purchase it was expected that building operations would be begun without delay. The mayor of the city and
532
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
prominent citizens interested themselves in the movement, anticipat- ing that an imposing structure, creditable alike to the association and city, would be erected. But on making a closer estimate on the cost of such a building it was found that a heavy mortgage would be inevit- able, and the conservative management hesitated to proceed. Mean- while overtures were made by responsible parties to lease the property for hotel purposes, at a rental which would make it a profitable invest- ment for the association, if the building then standing was enlarged and properly arranged for the purpose. This was finally done, in con- junction with owners of the adjoining property, and the whole, when completed, was named the Revere House, in honor of Paul Revere, the first president of the association. It was opened to the public May 1, 1844. From the beginning it was a success, and the income derived from the property was large and permanent. The first landlord was Paran Stevens, who kept it many years, and made it one of the most popular houses in the country. As the ownership was divided, how- ever, causing some difficulty in the financial management, after consid- erable negotiation, the entire property was transferred to a joint stock company, the association receiving shares to represent the proportional interest. This amounted to $124,000, represented by 1,240 shares. The board of directors of the hotel company consisted of five persons, of whom four were members of the association. The stock returned the association good dividends. But this movement, successful as it was in one direction, did not fulfill the desire of the members for a build- ing of their own, and the subject was not allowed to slumber. In 1856, under the administration of President Frederic W. Lincoln, a lot of land at the corner of Bedford and Chauncey streets, the garden of Judge Charles Jackson, was purchased at a cost of $31,000. Upon this lot was erected a building designed by Hammatt Billings, and formally dedi- cated March 27, 1860. It cost over $85,000. The completion of this hall, so long contemplated and so long delayed, was a cause of sincere gratification. In 1869 an annex to the building, on the corner of Avon and Chauncey streets, was built by the association at a cost for land and building of about $88,000. With the impetus given to the business of the city by the Civil War, but more particularly by the great fire of 1872, which required new localities for traffic, while the burnt district was being reconstructed, the board of government in December, 1872, was once again forced to consider the problem of suitable and cen- tral apartments. The necessity of having a building of sufficient capac-
533
MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
ity to accommodate the triennial exhibitions had also been felt for years. The twelfth exhibition, the last held in Faneuil and Quincy halls in 1844, showed plainly that if the association was to hold its posi- tion in regard to these displays, it must secure proper accommodation, Much discussion of the subject followed. In February, 1829, a commit- tee, composed of Charles W. Slack, Nathaniel J. Bradlee, J. F. Paul, Nathaniel Adams, Charles Whittier, Edward Atkinson and Nathaniel Cummings, was appointed to which was referred the matters of provid- ing for a permanent exhibition building. This committee gave much time to the consideration of the subject, and in March, 1880, reported in the favor of purchasing the plot of land fronting on Huntington avenue and West Newton street. This was concurred in by the asso- ciation, and the land was purchased at a cost of $113,510. In Decem- ber, 1880, work was begun on the building, the corner-stone of which was laid in March, 1881, and in the fall of 1882 the fourteenth exhibi- tion was held-in the building, but it was not fully completed until Jan- uary, 1884, at which time nearly $378,000 had been expended upon it. For some years after its construction the association had something of a struggle for existence. The second exhibition held within its walls failed to meet expenses. The establishment of a rival organization was a most unfortunate occurrence. But the association, having the ad- vantage of a long and favorable record, the unquestioned favor of the public and a large fund, was able to weather the storm which wrecked its competitor. During late years it has enjoyed a high degree of pros- perity.
The officers of the association from its organization have been as follows:
PRESIDENTS.
Paul Revere
1795-1798
James Clark
1843-1844
Jonathan Hunnewell
1798-1807
George G. Smith
1845-1847
Benjamin Russell
1809-1821
Henry N. Hooper
1848-1850
John Cotton
1822-1824
Jonas Chickering 1851-1853
Samuel Perkins
1825-1826
Frederic W. Lincoln
1854-1856
Charles Wells
1897
Joseph M. Wightman 1857-1859
Samuel T. Armstrong
1828-1829
Pelham Bonney
1860-1861
Daniel Messenger
1830-1831
Frederick H. Stimpson
1862-1863
Joseph T. Buckingham
1832-1834
Joseph T. Bailey
1864-1866
Stephen Fairbanks
1835-1837
Jonas Fitch
1867-1869
George Darracott
1838-1839
Albert J. Wright
1870-1872
Joseph Lewis.
18440-1842
Nathaniel Adams
1873-1875
534
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
Joseph F. Paul. 1876-1898
Newton Talbot
1885-1887
Charles W. Slack
1879-1881
James G. Ilaynes
1888-1890
Nathaniel J. Bradlee
1882-1883
Oliver M. Wentworth
1881-1892
Charles R. MeLean.
(part) 1884
E. Noyes Whitcomb. 1892-
Thomas J. Widden
-(part) 1884
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Edward Tuckerman
1795-1798
William C. Bond
1851-1852
Benjamin Russell
1999-1807
Frederic W. Lincoln, jr. 1853
Daniel Messenger
1808-1812
Joseph M. Wightman
1854-1856
John Cotton
1813-1821
L. Miles Standish
1857-1859
John Doggett
1899
Frederick H. Simpson
1860-1861
Thomas W. Summer
1823
Thacher Beal
1862-1863
Samuel Perkins
1824
Jonas Fitch
18644-1866
Joseph Jenkins
1825-1826
Albert J. Wright. 18677-1869
David Francis ..
1827
Nathaniel Adams
1870-1872
George W. Otis
1828-1829
Charles E. Jenkins
1878-1875
Joseph T. Buckingham
1830-1831
Joseph F. Paul
(9 months) 1875
Ezra Dyer
1832-1834
Charles W. Slack 1876-1878
John Rayner
1835-1837
Nathaniel J. Bradlee
1879-1881
Joseph Lewis
1838-1839
Charles R. McLean
1882-1883
Charles Leighton
1840-1841
Thomas J. Whidden.
(part) 1884
Charles A. Wells 1842
Thomas Gogin
(part) 1884
Jonas Chickering
1843
James G. Haynes.
1886-1887
William Eaton
1844-1846
Oliver M. Wentworth
1888-1890
Henry N. Hooper
1847
E. Noyes Whitcomb
1891-1892
Billings Briggs
1848-1850
Horace H. Watson
1892-
TREASURERS.
Samuel Gore.
1795-1798
Uriel Crocker
1833-1841
David West
1799-1800
Osymn Brewster
1842-1880
Francis Wright
1801-1807
Frederic W. Lincoln
1880-1887
Joseph Lovering
1808-1827
Newton Talbot
1888-
John Cotton
1827-1832
SECRETARIES.
John W. Folsom
1795-1799
Charles C. Nichols 1827
James Phillips
1800-1801
Joseph Lewis
1828-1836
John Cotton
1802
John G. Rogers
1837-1839
William Adrews
1803
H. W. Dutton
1840-1844
John B. Hanımatt
1804
John G. Rogers
1845-1846
Samuel Gilbert
1805
John Kuhn
1847-1850
Thomas Wells
1806-1811
Frederick H. Stimpson
1851-1853
Edward Renouf
1812
Joseph L. Bates
1854-1884
Joseph T. Buckingham
1813-1816
Alfred Bicknel
1885-
David Francis
1817-1826
535
MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
TRUSTEES.
Edwin Adams
1878-1880
John Bray
1199
Isaac Adams
1858-1859
Billings Briggs .
1843-1845
Nathaniel Adams
1858-1860
Albert G. Browne 1853-1855
Samuel Adams
1850-1851
Jos. T. Buckingham 1827-1899
William Adams
1835-1837
Theophilus Burr, sr __ 1856-1858
William Alexander
1804-1806
Theophilus Burr, jr
1867-1869
Jacob Amee
1833-1835
George L. Burt 1888-1890
Frank M. Ames
1886-1888
Abraham Call 1828-1830
John Andrews
1818-1820
Benjamin Callender 1795-1796
Samuel T. Armstrong
1823-1824
Cyrus Carpenter 1872-1874
Samuel Aspinwall
1834-1836
Geo. O. Carpenter
1885-1887
Isaiah Atkins
1814-1816
Wiliam Carpenter
1881-1883
Chas. F. Austin
1867-1869
Alpheus Cary
1828
Jno. F. Bacon
1880-1882
Isaac Cary 1847-1849
Robert Bacon
1831-1833
David Chamberlin
1869-1871
Erastus B. Badger
1889-1891
Simeon G. Cheever
1856-1858
Joseph T. Bailey
1859-1861
Jonas Chickering
1838-1840
George Baird
1866-1868
Geo. H. Chickering 186%
David Baker
1819-1821
Ruel Baker
1842-1844
Alfred A. Childs
1865-1867
Jonathan Balch
1800-1801
William W. Clapp
1863-1865
Samuel Bangs
1195
Benjamin Clark
1811-1813
James Barry
1806-1808
Cyrus T. Clark 1876-1878
Jonas S. Bass
1801-1803
Edward D. Clark
1829-1830
Jos. L. Bates 1
1847-1849
Humphrey Clark
1798-1800
Martin Bates
1830-1832
James Clark
1834-1836
Samuel D. Bates
1856-1858
Charles Clement
1805-1807
Benjamin Beal
1839-1841
Thomas Clement
1795-1797
Thacher Beal
1856-1858
George A. Clough
1885-1888
Ivory Bean
1867-1869
David Cobb
1805-1807
Richard Beeching
1886-1888
Benjamin Comey
1818-1820
Asher Benjamin
1808-1810
John Cotton 1801 and 1806-1808
Matthew Binney
1850-1852
John Cowdin 1851-1853
John S. Blair
1874-1876
Leonard F. Creesy
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