Ohio History Journal

Fortieth Annual Meeting              259

 

REPORT OF THE MUSEUM COMMITTEE

Vice President George F. Bareis, Chairman of the

Committee, read the following report:

The Museum Committee held one well-attended meeting on

June 17, 1925. Director Mills outlined his plans for the occu-

pation of the new building, as to departments and space. Pro-

fessor Hine, the new Curator of Natural History, was present

and made a report as to his plans and progress. The commit-

tee heartily approved the plans and programs.

Doctor J. M. Henderson, a member of the Committee, dis-

cussed the advisability of establishing a Department of Numis-

matics, and volunteered to lend his assistance. He is Presi-

dent of the American Numismatic Society, and has a large col-

lection of coins of his own. Doctor Henderson was chosen

Honorary Curator.

Respectfully submitted,

(Signed)  GEORGE F. BAREIS,

Chairman.

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FORT ANCIENT

Dr B. F. Prince, Chairman.of the Committee, read the fol-

lowing report:

Your committee on Fort Ancient would report that so

far as the appearance of the grounds is concerned, everything is

in good condition. Even with the dry weather the grass was

green almost every where. Some improvements have been made.

Thirty rods of fence have been built, costing $33.50. Twenty

thousand shingles and nails, at a cost of $140.00 are on hand

for use on the barn. Gravel was hauled on the road in places

where most needed, and a number of minor repairs were made.

The amount expended to July 1st, 1925, was $315.00. Bills for

hauling gravel since that time have not been rendered.

The bad feature to report has been the lack of water. From

a depth of twelve to eight feet of water usually in the well, it

fell to eighteen inches, and at that stage very little, or none,

could be secured.

Much dissatisfaction was expressed by visitors at this con-

dition, with reflections on the custodian, directors of the So-

ciety, and the state of Ohio. In view of this situation two mem-

bers of your committee spent a day in study of the condition,

and as a result they somewhat overstepped their authority in or-

dering another and deeper well put down. They did this firmly

• 1
 

260       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

believing that the people should be accommodated. The well is

not quite finished.

The number of people who visit the fort on the Sabbath

day runs from 1500 to 2000. Even on last Sabbath, dark and

gloomy and rainy, there were one hundred automobiles present,

perhaps with five hundred people. Our Society must take care

of them in the best possible way.

The present graveled road was built about twenty-five years

ago, when only poky horses, drawing vehicles, now and then,

found their way into the Fort. The road was a good one for

its day, built at an expense of about $150.00. But the rapid

automobile can tear any graveled road to pieces, and that is

what they are doing with our road at Fort Ancient. Then, too,

the road was built as a single-track. When carriages passed each

other they had to turn on the grass. The same must be done by

the automobiles now. What is needed is a road wide enough for

vehicles to pass each other without leaving the roadway. It is

a matter that this Society ought to prepare for presentation to

our next General Assembly.

It may not be amiss to present another thing. With the

crowds that gather weekly at the Fort during the warm season,

there ought to be a person who will give his whole time in that

part of the grounds where the people park their autos. He could

prevent fires from being built against trees, rough treatment of

the state's property, and any violation of good order, and also

be a source of information to the people who gather there. The

people of our state are disposed to make certain places a point

for gathering, as Buckeye Lake, Indian Lake, Fort Ancient, and

other favorite points, all being state property, and the state can

afford to make its own grounds pleasing to the people.

Respectfully submitted,

(Signed) B. F. PRINCE,

(Signed) JOHN L. ZIMMERMAN.

The report was ordered received and placed on file.

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SERPENT MOUND

Professor W. H. Cole, Chairman of the Committee,

read the following report:

The general conditions at Serpent Mound Park during the

past year have been satisfactory. The custodian, Mr. Guy Wal-

lace, has been reasonably watchful and efficient in looking after

the property.

• 2