Ohio History Journal

THE HISTORY AND PROSPECTS OF THE

SOCIETY.

 

ANNUAL ADDRESS BEFORE THE OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL

AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, FEBRUARY 23, 1887. F. C.

SESSIONS, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY.

THE Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society now

closes its second year, and begins its third. May it not

be profitable to take in retrospect a view of what has been

done, and in prospect of what may be done?

The Society owes its origin to the impulse given to his-

torical study by the great American Exposition of 1876.

No event in the century has so stimulated the study and

the preservation of American history, not only of prehis-

toric times and pre-American times, but of our century.

That event called from every class the history of its rise

and progress, and showed fully its development.

It was there demonstrated that Ohio-the oldest State

in the Northwest Territory, and the first-born State of the

Union-had a history in antiquities, in its origin, settle-

ment, progress and development unequalled by any other

State. With a meager appropriation, the finest historical

exhibit outside of the Smithsonian Institution, was made

by Ohio, and under the direction and control of the Ohio

Archaeological Society. In the prosecution of this work

appear the names of Hon. R. B. Hayes, Dr. N. S. Towns-

hend, General R. Brinkerhoff, Professor M. C. Read, Pro-

fessor Charles Whittlesey, John H. Klippert, Esq., Judge

Charles C. Baldwin; and others equally active, are con-

spicuously prominent. Each worked zealously in this

movement, and each hoped to see a permanent society

founded on an established basis.

There was, however, no provision made for such an

organization by the employment of a suitable person to

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The History and Prospects of the Society.  333

devote his time to the work, and no one could be found

whose occupation would permit the necessary attention,

and the Society gradually became inoperative.

There were, however, friends of the movement who did

not wholly abandon hope, nor entirely cease their efforts.

They were in constant correspondence, and often con-

sulted "one with another" concerning the desirability

and usefulness of such a Society.

Finally, on the evening of February 12, 1885, a number

of gentlemen met in the Secretary of State's office to con-

sider the advisability of calling a meeting to organize a

Society. After a full discussion of the matter, it was

agreed to call a public meeting of all those interested in

preserving our history. The present Secretary of the

Society was one of the principal promoters of the object,

and was instructed to formulate a circular and send the

same to all who might care to encourage the effort. The

responses to the circulars were numerous and gratifying.

The circular embodying the objects of the call was sent to

all the papers in Ohio. Its publication was very general,

showing the interest taken in the subject. It was fol-

lowed by a circular enlisting the educational element of

the State. The circulars called attention to the approach-

ing centennials of our organic law-the Ordinance of

1787-and of the first American settlement made under

its wise provisions. The suggestion looking to a general

celebration in all the public schools on this anniversary

day -April 7, 1888--as well as to a grand celebration at

Marietta, and of an exposition of the educational and in-

dustrial progress in Ohio during its first century, to be

held in its Capital City in the autumn, all these matters

elicited general and marked interest.

Those who are present will remember the interesting

meetings held in this chamber on the evenings of March

12 and 13, 1885, at which time the present Society was

organized.

The plan of the Society, briefly stated, is to encourage

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334    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

the study and preservation of our antiquities and our his-

tory, and to provide for the preservation of valuable arti-

cles connected therewith. The objects of the Society are

well expressed in the articles of incorporation, Section 3

of which reads as follows:

"Said Society is formed for the purpose of promoting

the knowledge of archaeology and history, especially of

Ohio, by establishing and maintaining a library of books,

manuscripts, maps, charts, etc., properly pertaining thereto;

a museum of pre-historic relics and natural or other curi-

osities or specimens of art or nature promotive of the ob-

jects of the Association, said library and museum to be

open to the public on reasonable terms, and by courses of

lectures and publication of books, papers and documents

touching the subjects so specified, with power to receive

and hold gifts and devices of real and personal estate for

the benefit of such Society, and generally to exercise all

the powers legally and properly pertaining thereto."

The report of the Secretary for the first year showed a

membership of 239 persons; and a museum of over four

thousand specimens; besides many valuable paintings,

books, papers, periodicals, etc., for its library. During the

first year, in addition to the addresses delivered at the

meetings of organization, there were held in Columbus,

six meetings, at each of which excellent papers were read.

During the same year meetings were held at Mansfield and

Hamilton, while the Secretary delivered a number of ad-

dresses in various parts of the State in the interest and on

the part of the Society. You will all remember the last

annual meeting, which was marked by an increasing inter-

est, and by its timely addresses. The course of lectures of

each year is arranged to open in September or October,

and close in March or April. During this year's course the

following addresses have been given at regular meetings

in this city.

In November, Mr. E. O. Randall, of Columbus, present-

ed an exhaustive paper on "Blennerhassett," giving a full

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The History and Prospects of the Society.  335

and interesting account of the island by that name, and of

the personages and events connected therewith.

In December, Professor B. A. Hinsdale, of Cleveland,

presented an excellent paper before the Society on the sub-

ject "The First Circumnavigation of the Earth."

In January, General E. B. Finley, of Bucyrus, read an in-

teresting paper on "The Drift," and in February, George

G. Washburn, Esq., of Elyria, delivered an exceedingly in-

structive address before the Society on "Mountains, Vol-

canoes and Earthquakes."

Reviewing the subjects presented before the Society, it

may be asked, what part these scientific lectures bear to

a Society whose name and object implies a study of Arch-

aeology and History. To this it may be answered that in

the organization of the Society, serious consideration was

given to the proposal to adopt a scientific title. To this it

was objected that the name would be needlessly length-

ened and that the same object could be secured by devot-

ing a portion of each year's course to scientific subjects.

With this understanding the present name was adopted,

which, I venture to suggest, is now rather cumbersome,

and might be abbreviated by calling the Society simply

"The Ohio Historical Society," this name embodies all

that the present name implies, and is much more easily

remembered.

Stopping only to mention this point, allow me to express

some views on the future work of the Society.

The Secretary's report shows that to date 290 persons

have joined the Society; of this number five have died,

leaving 285 names on the roll. It is safe to assume that

this number can not only be maintained, but, in event of

certain conditions I will mention later, materially in-

creased. The experience of all societies of this class shows

a slow growth in their earlier stages. But, in every case,

the growth, where nurtured, has been constant.

The chief aim of all historical societies is to preserve

history, not only in written records, but in printed forms

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336    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

available to all; and also preserve all articles illustrating

history. This leads me to speak of our publication.

When the Society was organized, a regular publication

in some form was determined upon. Just what form it

should take was left to the future to decide. During the

last year the Secretary made diligent inquiry among all

similar organizations concerning their publications and

their experience in their issue. The result showed the

most satisfactory to be one issued at regular intervals dur-

ing the year-say quarterly or monthly. Such an issue

not only records the transactions of the Society, as would

an annual, but it admits of special departments, such as

"Notes and Queries," "Original Communications," "Re-

prints of old Documents," and such articles as may be

offered to, and accepted by the Board of Editors. Thus it

becomes a medium coming at intervals sufficiently often

and regular to enlist the interest of all who receive it and

of many who see it. The expenses of such a publication

are but little, or no more than an annual volume; and it is

the experience of all who have tried both forms that it is

more useful and more preferable than any other form of

publication.

Aside from the preservation and dissemination of knowl-

edge by means of printed matter, the object of the Society

is to preserve articles illustrative of history. This implies

the founding of a museum of antiquities. This, to the eye,

is as instructive as the printed page, and, like all objects

of illustration, is a matter of great and important interest.

The report of the Secretary shows a museum already

established of several thousand specimens, and the cor-

respondence shows a desire on the part of Ohio people

everywhere to contribute to such a museum, if they can be

assured of a safe receptacle for their donations and a ju-

dicious use of them for the public good. Investigation

has shown that Ohio is the richest field in America inma-

terial for such a museum. For the lack of one, enough

has already left the State for other museums to have formed

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The History and Prospects of the Society.  337

one of the finest collections in America. Enough is yet

remaining to still keep the position of Ohio first, if it is

gathered and safely stored. It therefore behooves us to

consider this part of our work carefully and direct our

energies to the accomplishment of this result. A few years

of judicious effort will place in our Capital City one of

the finest museums of historic articles in America. This

would be not only an ornament and an attraction of un-

equalled merit, but an institution educational and beneficial

in character.

The question of preserving in such a museum our rich

archaeological and historical collection is not only feasible,

but we have daily assurances that such an institution will

in time be the custodian of all such collections, whose

owners will eventually desire to see them in such a place.

Here also could be gathered and stored casts of our noted

earthworks, for which Ohio is so famous, and I am pleased

to state that to devise some method for their preservation,

is now the work of a committee appointed at our last

annual meeting, and who will report its progress at this

session.

When the Society was organized, the question of a cele-

bration in the common schools, commemorative of the set-

tlement of Ohio, was suggested. Professor John B. Peaslee,

then Superintendent of the Cincinnati public schools, sug-

gested a plan somewhat similar to "Arbor Day" celebra-

tions, as they are known. The suggestion was timely, and

at the request of the Society, Prof. Peaslee agreed to pre-

pare a pamphlet collection of prose and poetical selections

suitable for such a celebration. It is expected to have this

pamphlet ready early next winter, and to introduce it

into our schools, especially country schools, during the

coming winter's session. The preparation necessary for

such a celebration and its performance, will do a vast

amount of good by inciting in the minds of the youth a

desire for good and wholesome, as well as enticing read-

ing. The Secretary has already performed a large amount

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338    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

of work among the teachers and schools of Ohio, and

reports a gratifying interest in these matters.

I should also, I think, refer to the contemplated Educa-

tional Exposition in connection with the annual meeting

of the National Teachers' Association of the United

States, which meets in July next. Ohio is, as she properly

should, taking a leading part in this enterprise. Ohio is

the first State in our Union to profit by the ordinance of

May 20th, 1785, giving to the cause of education one-

thirty-sixth of the public land for the support of common

schools. Under the direction of our energetic State Su-

perintendent of Instruction, Mr. LeRoy D. Brown, the best

exhibits of Ohio's educational progress will be shown. I

venture to suggest that a large part of the work done in

this Exposition can be advantageously used in our Centen-

nial Exposition in 1888, and when this material has done

its work there, it can be secured for our State Museum.

Our Society should at all times endeavor diligently to

instill into the minds of the youth of our State correct

knowledge of what has transpired in our past, that they

may not only be the more intelligently ready to act during

the present, but be well prepared for the future.

It is proper to allude here to the growing interest in our

approaching centennial. The interest in these events is

national and the reasons therefor are apparent to every

student of our history. It is so well expressed in an article

prepared by our Secretary, that a quotation therefrom

will be, I think, sufficient. The Secretary says: "The

year 1888 marks the end of the first century since what is

now Ohio was first permanently settled by Americans.

This settlement was made at what is now Marietta, Ohio,

and the celebration of this important event is one which we

can loyally support. The settlement was the result of

momentous questions, and, in itself, was one of the most

important in America. It was the outgrowth of a desire

by American people, first, to sell the public domain to

actual settlers; second, to assure to everyone the rights of

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The History and Prospects of the Society.  339

persons, property and speech; third, to give to every in-

habitant an opportunity to derive and to enjoy the benefits

of an education, furnished by the people; fourth, that

slavery, then in the ascendency in America, should not

exist.

"A settlement made under such auspices could not but

attract the best elements not only of the older States, but

also from other countries. As a result Ohio of to-day con-

tains a greater diversity of nationalities and a greater

variety of industries than any State in the Union."

It is proposed to commemorate the Centennial at Mari-

etta by a celebration that will properly represent the

respect held now by us of the pioneers who laid the foun-

dation of our present prosperity and our present position.

A provisional program of exercises is already announced,

and I am glad to see so many of Marietta's people repre-

sented in our Society, and present at our meetings. They,

through their committees, will report matters in detail,

and more fully inform us of their work and of their

anticipations.

"It is proposed," also, says the Secretary, in the same

article, "to gather at the end of the first century the out-

growth of a civilization planted under the foregoing men-

tioned causes, and note the results. It is a fitting time to

celebrate the principles under which our State was organ-

ized. Ohio is the first state in the Union created out of

territory belonging to the Union; hence Ohio is the first-

born of the Union-the oldest child-the first to be formed

by all the other States, and it is proper that she should

show her gratitude by inviting all, and particularly the

thirteen original States, to visit her and note the results

of their action.

"The 6₇th General Assembly of Ohio passed an act

authorizing an Ohio Centennial Exposition at the close of

the first century since its soil was settled by Americans.

The resolution providing for such an exposition states that

'The one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the

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340    Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly.

State, now among the foremost in rank and importance in

the Union, shall be celebrated in the year 1888, by the

holding at the Capital of the State, of an Exposition de-

monstrating the material and educational progress of the

State during its first century.'

"The proposed Exposition will be held in the early

autumn of 1888, in the Capital of the State, on grounds

belonging to the State, and controlled by the State Board

of Agriculture. The Exposition will continue not less

than four weeks, and its character will bear prominently

in view the historical, the illustrative, the progressive

and the educational features of the products of Ohio's

first century. At this time, all Ohio people, wherever they

may be, will be invited to visit the Buckeye State, and

join with all her people and all her friends in her grand

Exposition."

The opportunity to acquire a large amount of material

for our museum, at the close of the Exposition, should

not be lost. The experience of all Expositions has shown

that a large amount of historical material accumulates at

such times, and that it is usually given to that Society

which is best prepared to receive and care for it.

Thus it will be seen that only well-directed, persistent

effort is necessary to establish such a society as is contem-

plated in our articles of incorporation: a society that will

be not only an ornament and an attraction, but will be one

of marked usefulness and influence for all time to come.

Practically, the way to do this is to secure and maintain

an active membership numerically sufficient to meet cur-

rent expenses, and to found an endowment fund sufficiently

large to cover all general expenses. The way seems to be

open; in truth the opportunity was never so good as now;

and we trust such as are now connected with the Associa-

tion will not only continue steadfastly therein, but will in-

duce others to unite with us in this our commendable work.

I now declare the Second Annual Meeting of this Society

open.

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