Ohio History Journal

568       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

ferring the Dedication till next year, when all parties cooperat-

ing in this work will have full time to do their work unhurried

and in the best artistic fashion.

The contract with the Sculptor calls for the completion of

all of his work by January 1st, 1926, with possibility of exten-

sion of time for cause. In no case can the panels in the rotunda

be ready for the dedication date. Their place in the room can

be clearly indicated on that occasion and possibly charcoal or

crayon sketches of the proposal panels may be put in position

as a forecast of what is to follow.

On the whole, the Committee feels that its work has gone

forward in a fairly satisfactory manner. It is believed by the

members of the Society, when they stand in Fifteenth avenue,

either on the northeast or northwest corner of the structure and

witness the handsome facade of the new wing, that all must

realize that the Society is taking a notable step forward with the

completion of this beautiful addition to the building, which will

permit great steps forward in the better classification of exhibits,

and the more complete division of the Society's work into de-

partments in accordance with Museum procedure elsewhere.

Very respectfully submitted,

(Signed)    EDWARD ORTON, JR.,

Chairman of the Building Committee.

On motion the report was received and ordered

placed on file.

 

 

COOPERATION BETWEEN THE OHIO                STATE   UNI-

VERSITY AND THE OHIO STATE ARCHAE-

OLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

General Orton read the report of the Committee as

follows:

On December 6th, 1923, a committee was appointed to con-

sider the relations between these two institutions, both of which

are state supported, both upon the same campus, containing

many members in common, and working for the same general

object, viz., the increase of education and the collection and dis-

semination of knowledge among men. It was felt that while

there were, fortunately, no real conflicts between them, that their

normal expansion would make some division of interest likely to

grow up, if a policy were not arranged which would more or less

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Thirty-Ninth Annual Meeting                    569

 

define the respective spheres of action, and provide definitely

for the settlement of issues instead of allowing them      to grow

up into differences.

This Committee consisted of: --

Mr. George F. Bareis

General George Florence

General Edward Orton, Jr.,

representing the Society, and,

Dr. W. O. Thompson

Dr. T. C. Mendenhall

Dr. Raymond Osburn

representing the University.

This committee held a number of meetings, called in experts

representing both institutions, and discussed quite fully two

phases of activity in which the danger of overlapping seemed

most imminent, viz., the Library problem and the Museum of

Natural History problem.

The result of these various meetings was a declaration

dated March 6th, 1924, which was presented to the Board of

Trustees on March 8th. This document is of such importance

as to justify reproduction in its entirety in this record, as follows:

 

MARCH 6, 1924.

To the Board of Trustees of The Ohio State Archaeological and His-

torical Society.

The undersigned, appointed to sit with a similar committee appointed

by the Trustees of the Ohio State University for the purpose of arrang-

ing a scheme of cooperation between the two institutions in the work of

collecting and caring for books and materials relating to Ohio history,

and also in preparing and maintaining a museum of Natural History,

respectfully report that two joint meetings of the Committees were held

at which various phases of the question were fully discussed; that at

both of these the President of the Historical Society and the President

of the University were present and took part in the discussion; and that

there was finally a joint agreement to report as follows:

 

A. REGARDING BOOKS AND MATERIALS RELATING TO OHIO HISTORY.

1. In view of the fact that the Ohio State University is promoting

study and research in the field of Ohio History it seems advisable that

the historical material relating to this field already in the possession of

the University Library and of the Society's Library on the campus should

be concentrated in one place so as to facilitate the use of it. It is there-

fore agreed that the Trustees of the University will lend the University's

collection in said field or such other collections as it may hereafter acquire,

to the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society for an indefinite time,

on condition that the Society's Library on the University grounds and the

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570        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

Hayes Memorial Library at Fremont, Ohio, shall be open to students and

teachers of the University, with the understanding that the Trustees of

the University will supply an assistant librarian for the care of the

Society's collections on the University campus.

2. It is further understood that the principal purchase of books

and materials relating to Ohio history shall be made by the Ohio State

Archaeological and Historical Society.

3. It is further agreed that there shall be a joint standing com-

mittee representing both the Society and the University to maintain the

cooperation between these two State institutions as herein provided and

to recommend purchases to the Society of books and other historical

material relating to Ohio history. The chairman of said joint committee

shall be elected by said committee.

4. It is understood that special collections in the possession of either

institution, especially collections received by gift or that may be so re-

ceived hereafter, shall not be necessarily considered as subject to the loan

arrangement suggested in item No. 1 of this agreement.

 

B. REGARDING A MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.

1. It is hereby mutually agreed between the University and the

Society, that there is need of a Museum of Natural History in the

Capital City of Ohio, in which may be gathered, preserved and exhibited

for  the interest, information and education of the general public, such

collections as will explain the nature of the rocks and minerals which

compose the surface of this State, and the organic life which has existed

or now exists here.

2. That such a Museum Building is a legitimate and needed element

in the general desire of man to know everything possible about the uni-

verse in which he exists and of which he is a part, and that there is

abundant warrant in the history of every civilized nation, and the states

of our own nation, to justify the expenditure of public funds for the

pursuance of such educational and research objects as a museum will

foster and develop.

3. That such a building will do the greatest good to the greatest

number of the people who pay for it through taxation, if it is located

on the Campus of the Ohio State University, because there are congre-

gated and are attracted to that place by far the largest number of people

who are seeking knowledge and developing interests in such things.

4. That such a project might conceivably and legitimately be taken

up by either the University or the Society, with good precedent for either,

but that it falls more directly within the line of activity of the Society

because the educational work done by that Organization is not formal

school work done in class rooms, but consists principally of exposing

its object lessons to the view of the public, thereby awakening a wide-

spread interest in nature's works among people who cannot avail them-

selves of systematic class room instruction.

5. That such a project should not be undertaken by both the

University and the Society, because of unnecessary overlapping and in-

creased cost to the people.

6. That the University will favor the allocation to the Society of

such additional space on the University Campus as may be needed for

an adequate Museum of Natural History, adjoining the Society's present

building, and will stand ready to enter into contract with the Society for

furnishing to it the heat, light, power and other services which it now

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Thirty-Ninth Annual Meeting                   571

 

furnishes to the Society's present building, and upon the same general

terms.

7. That the Society will begin efforts to secure from  the next

General Assembly financial provision for a Museum Building, of archi-

tecture and design such as to make it a suitable companion to the present

structure, said Museum to house the Natural History Collections which

the Society has already accumulated and may in future accumulate.

8. That to at once make the plea for such a building reasonable

and attractive to the General Assembly, the University agrees to lend

indefinitely to the Society such of its collections of Minerals, Rocks and

Fossils, as may be subsequently arranged for by the Departments of

Geology and Mineralogy, and such collections representing the animal

and vegetable life of the State as may be arranged for by the Depart-

ments of Zoology and Botany or other departments having the custody

of collections along these lines, to the end that such a Museum Building

would at once be filled with interesting and creditable collections as soon

as available, to the great relief in space and in care of the Departments

in which said collections are now scattered.

9. That said Museum of Natural History might or might not take

over the Archaeological and Ethnological exhibits of the Society now on

exhibition and in storage in the present building, depending upon space

made available by the General Assembly, and the bulk of the collections

which the University might furnish for exhibit but that the principle be

agreed upon that in time and when space is available the Archaeological

and Ethnological Exhibits should finally be a part of the Natural His-

tory Museum, leaving the present structure for Library and for collec-

tions of antiquities of historic age.

10. That all the material of the Museum whether or display or

otherwise shall be available to the University for purposes of study and

research.

11. That the Department of the University which lends material

may have a voice in the proper display of such material, a member of

each Department concerned shall be appointed a representative of the

University to consider the proper utilization of collections loaned by the

University.

12. That specimens lent by the University but not suited for exhi-

bition purposes, such as unmounted skins and skeletons of animals, etc.,

may be properly prepared for exhibition purposes by the Museum, with

the consent of the representative of the Department concerned.

13. That the Museum shall provide proper curatorial service for

the care of material loaned by the University, to insure its permanent

preservation, whether such material be on exhibition or in storage.

14. That the Museum provide a research room where such loaned

material may be placed at the disposal of students for the purpose of

study.

Respectfully submitted,

[SIGNED BY THE COMMITTEE.]

The report was debated at great length by the Trustees and

at the conclusion, it was felt that a month's delay, to afford

more time for study and reflection was desirable. Accordingly,

the report was tabled for a month, and on being further con-

sidered at the next meeting, of April 7th, 1924, it was finally

passed.

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572       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

At the same meeting, a new committee of seven was ap-

pointed "to further study the question and investigate as to dup-

lication of assets in the building we are already constructing

and the proposed building." While it is not very clearly stated

in the above, the discussion held at the time was to the general

purport that the new committee was in a way one to suggest

ways and means to carry the cooperation platform of April 7th,

into effect. This committee was as follows: --

Mr. George F. Bareis, Chairman,

Mr. E. F. Wood

Dr. F. C. Furniss

Mr. J. C. Goodman

General Edward Orton, Jr.

Dr. W. C. Mills

Mr. C. B. Galbreath.

This Committee then inherits the general work of the orig-

inal committe on Cooperation, in that it is now expected to pro-

vide specific recommendations of cooperative acts to be per-

formed by the two organizations. The Committee has had one

meeting, on August 5th, 1924.

Two matters were taken up.

First. Has the Board of Trustees of the Ohio State Uni-

versity formally accepted the report of March 6th, 1924, signed

by the joint Committee, which this Society ratified on April 7th,

1924?

The Secretary was instructed to get definite information on

that matter and has subsequently found that the Board of Trus-

tees have not adopted the report. It is not understood that they

have refused to do so, but merely that they have not had the

matter brought up to them. This will probably be done by Dr.

Thompson at an early meeting. Pending their adhesion to this

declaration of policy, this Society can take no definite steps.

Second. In the re-allocation, of space in the building, when

the new wing becomes available for use, which should be in the

next two or three months, at the latest, what plans have the Di-

rector and Secretary to suggest, to further the carrying out of

the general scheme proposed in the Conference agreement of

March, 1924?

The plan covers, (a) the Library consolidation and (b) the

Museum of Natural History.

(a)  The Library project involves transfer of the books

and documents of Ohio History from the University Library

to the Society's Library, their combination into one working Li-

brary, and the appointment by the University of a competent

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Thirty-Ninth Annual Meeting             573

 

person to act as reference Librarian, with general charge of the

Society's library, under the General supervision of the Secre-

tary of the Society, who is to still retain his title as Librarian.

Assuming that the Board of University Trustees will sanc-

tion the conference report, it is apparent that nothing will be ac-

complished unless actual physical steps are taken by the Society

to provide new space, new shelving or stacks, and additional

equipment. The University certainly will not or should not send

its books down to this Library, if their accessibility and useful-

ness is impaired thereby. It becomes necessary therefore to pre-

pare a definite plan for the enlargement of the Society's Library,

as a preliminary to asking for the transfer of material to take

place.

The Secretary of the Society in his capacity as Librarian,

has been urged to submit his recommendations for the space he

will need, and to furnish estimates of the number, size, shape

and kind of cases or stacks he will need to equip it, and an esti-

mate of the cost of pulling out partitions, renovating the walls,

increasing the lighting facilities, etc. He has made no report to

the committee as yet, but he has stated orally that he has consult-

ed an architect on the reconstruction features and is collecting

estimates on the equipment.

(b) The Director of the Society has not yet submitted his

recommendations for space allocation to the committee, altho he

is and has been ready to do so for some weeks past. It is the

opinion of the Committee, that the Library project and the

Museum project must both be clearly presented before the Com-

mittee can do any further constructive work.

Enough is already known about the Library situation to see

that it presents a quite different problem from that of the Mu-

seum. The Library will probably inherit the old basement rooms

directly underneath the present Library, and these will have to

be consolidated into one or more rooms, cleared out, cleaned, re-

furnished and equipped.

The floor area now occupied by the Library is 2032 feet.

There is, in the basement beneath, going as far as the cross wall

of the center court of the building, 3880 feet additional. If all

of this is allocated to the Library, it would be an increase of

about 190%. If the two north rooms are not included, the gain

would be about 90%. It is possible that the small space may

do for a time, but very soon the whole space will be needed for

books and library work-rooms.

Without any estimate, it is safe to say that a number of

thousands of dollars must be spent, before this Society will be

in position to ask the University Library to send its Ohio ma-

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574       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

terial down to this Library. The task now seems so large that

it seems to this committee unlikely that the consolidation can

be effected before the summer of 1925. The intervening months

will be used in preparing plans, securing the appropriation, do-

ing the physical work, and rearranging the Society's books and

material, all of which is preliminary to receiving the University's

collection.

The situation with regard to Museum of Natural History

is somewhat otherwise. The space which will probably be al-

located to the new Natural History Museum will be new, clean

and fresh. It will require cases, undoubtedly, but much of it can

be installed as soon as the rooms are ready and funds for mov-

ing are provided. Since the appropriation for the salary of the

curator of Natural History has not yet been used this year, since

no one has been appointed, it is possible that that money could

be re-allocated for cases, and preparation of Natural History

material, and a start thus made earlier than will be likely in the

case of the Library. This conclusion is also strengthened by the

fact that the various natural history departments on the campus

are anxious to get their exhibits out, in order to use their space

for class work, which will tend to accelerate the movement.

This committee sees in carrying of its project into execu-

tion a long and arduous task -- one which will be in fact a proc-

ess of growth, rather than any sudden decision to be made. It

sees as the result of this work, a rapid material gain by the So-

ciety and a great accession to public interest in its work."

(Signed)   "EDWARD ORTON, JR."

On motion the report was received, approved and

ordered placed on file.

Colonel W. L. Curry read the report on

FORT LAURENS.

as follows:

Your Committee on Fort Laurens begs leave to report as

follows:

That a house has been erected for residence of the Superin-

tendent of the grounds, but the amount appropriated for that

purpose was not sufficient to complete the building entirely, and

it is not yet occupied. It is estimated that it will require an ap-

propriation of two hundred dollars to complete the house.

The roadway around the grounds has been carefully im-

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