APPENDIX E CXXIX 



The edition of several of our publications is exhausted, and these 

 we shall try to republish, there having been many requests for them. 

 We exchange with thirty-five societies and are thus, besides other books 

 presented, obtaining a valuable historical library. We have had the 

 usual grant for printing purposes from the Provincial Government and 

 the County of Lincoln. We also have on hand several manuscripts 

 for publication. 



The year has brought to us, we are thankful to acknowledge, the 

 fulfilment of our desires as regards a building, an event that was looked 

 upon as chimerical but is now an accomplished fact. A few of the 

 steps taken may be enumerated. On 17th September, 1903, a public 

 meeting was held, at which it was determined to procure a building 

 to be called Memorial Hall, and we first contributed ourselves, wrote 

 to distant Niagarians, then asked help from the Provincial and Dom- 

 inion Governments, county and town coimcils. Plans and specifications 

 were decided on, the building to be of red brick with buff trimmings, 

 70 feet by 30, with gallery; the cost, $4,000, but with extra expenses, 

 cases, furnishing, the amount has reached $5,000. Besides the $4,650 

 contributed, the site given by the President, and other contributions in 

 kind, the outlay has reached $5,200. The only debt is $275, and this, 

 it is hoped, will soon be wiped out. The first sod was turned in April, 

 1906, and the building was finished all but the portico in October, 1906, 

 and in February, 1907, when cases had been made we moved in, much 

 assistance being given by Mrs. Thompson, the acting secretary of the 

 Ontario Historical Society, who has had much experience in Loan Ex- 

 hibits. Many new cases had been procured and the articles could thus 

 be arranged in groups which had not before been possible in the crowded 

 condition of our room. The divisions now are: Flags, military accou- 

 trements, portraits and pictures, Niagara printing, woman's work and 

 wear, household articles, China, Indian relics, furniture, newspapers and 

 pamphlets, rare books, coins, scrap books containing letters, documents, 

 autographs, etc. 



Five hundred invitations were sent out and many kind letters of 

 congratulation received. We were honoured by the presence of the 

 Lieutenant-Governor, Sir ]\Iortimer Clark, who formally declared the 

 building open, after making a congratulatory speech. Addresses were 

 given by C. C. James, F.E.S.C, Dr. Colquhoun, Dr. Bain, Col. Cruik- 

 phank, F.E.S.C. and others. Although rain somewhat marred the day 

 there was a large attendance. A committee of ladies provided bounteous 

 refreshments and the opening day proved a great success. 



Proc, 1908. 9. 



