OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 47.-, 



using- the lower room for the library, and Icttin- out the second lloor for conceits and 

 other entertainments. At one time the society j-rew weak, an.l was kept up only by 

 about half a dozen members, who instead of dividin.i;- the books and funds amon- them- 

 selves, as they mioht have done, and as was proposed by several of them, met rJ^ularly 

 for several years and kept the Society alive, until some ten years ago, wlieii ww life 

 was infused into it, and it now has thirty-seven members and one hundivd and sixty- 

 four subscribers, with $4,150 invested in mortgage on real estate. The Historical, 

 Agricultural and Mechanics' Society was organized on the 22d of Septeml)er, l^.i;, to 

 secure the $1,000 donation of books shortly before made by Congress to a sm-iety in 

 each Congressional district, devoted to history, agriculture and mechanics. This So- 

 ciety had its library on the second lioor of Kusscl's hardware building in Noitli (iueen 

 street, until February 7, 1859, when the books and other articles were removed t.. the third 

 floor of the City Hall. Hon. E. C. Reigart having about this time intimated that if a 

 luiion could he effected between the Mechanics" Society, the Historical, Agricultural 

 and ]\reclianics' Society, and several other somewhat sunilar organizations in the city, 

 he would give $3,500 towards the purchase of books and fitting up a proper place for 

 keeping them, an effort was made to accomplish this object. The movement failed. 

 However, on the 11th of August, 1858, a society called the Athenaum was organized, 

 and the rooms of the third story of the City Hall given without rent, by City Councils, 

 for the use of the society. To this society jMr. Reigart gave ^2,500— $1,000 on the 1st 

 of January, 1859, and $500 thereafter annually for three j-ears. The rooms were fitted 

 up for a libraiy and reading room, and formally opened to the public on tlie ITth of 

 Februarj', 1859. On the 20th of December. 18G0. the Atheuiuum Association and the 

 Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' Society were united, and their libraries con- 

 solidated, vuider the name of the Athemeum and Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' 

 Society. The similarity of names renders it proper to mention that the "Mechanics' 

 Society," first above referred to, is a different institution and entirely uuconuected 

 with the "Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' Society." The Shoch Library 

 was established in Columbia, in 1808. Samuel Shoch having donated ^ioOO 

 towards the purchase of books for the free use of the pupils of the i)ublic schools 

 of Columbia, the Board of School Directors of that borough purchased about 

 1,500 voltmies. Citizens of Columbia, by the payment of a small animal fee, are 

 permitted to use this library. A society called the Conservatory of Arts and 

 Sciences, which was organized in Lancaster city some tweiity-five years ago, established 

 a library, and loaned books to its members. It has long since ceased to exist, and 

 many of its publications are now on the shelves of the AtheniBum. Two ladies, named 

 Jordan, many years ago opened a circulating library in Lancaster, which was kept up 

 tuitil some eight years ago, when the sui-viving proprietress died, and the books were 

 sold at auction. The Mechanics' Society introduced ir.to Lancaster popular lectiu-es 

 and night schools. Redmond Conyngham delivered before the Society a series of lec- 

 tures on History, and Dr. W. L. Atlee a series on Chemistry. Other lecturers were 

 also employed by this Society.! 



"The LiNK^AN Society of Laxcaster City axd County" was instituted and or- 

 ganized February 15, 15:62, and incorporated under tiie above style and title by the Court of 

 Common Pleas of Lancaster county, on August 30, 18G5, "for the cultivation, development 

 and advancement of natural science; and fortheinvestigati'm of the character, quality and 

 habits of tlie animals, plants and minerals of Lancaster county and adjacent teritoiy."' 



The founders and most active promoters of the objects of the Society were Profs. T. 

 C. Porter, J. P. Wickersham, E. B. Weaver, and Mes.srs. S. S. Rathvon, J. Stauffer, 

 J. R. Sypher, J. B. Kevinski. Samuel Auxer. John F. Heinitsh ami D. G. Swartz. 

 Subsequently Messrs. G. M. Zahm. J. ^sl. Seitz, H. M. Bruckart. P. E. Gibbons, 

 J. S. Witmer and others were added. 



1 Contribute.) by Sir. II A. lOckaflel 1. 



