ANNUAL MEETING, MAT 17. 55 



histories of cities and towns ; in fact all that pertains to 

 the old life and the new of the county ; with a rallying 

 centre so stable there would be a constant influx of books, 

 manuscripts, Avorks of art, etc., a collection which, with 

 that already formed, would be of great value and interest 

 to the whole community. The occupation of the new 

 building will, undoubtedly, mark an important epoch in 

 the history of the Society, and the necessary arrangements 

 should be liberally provided for, with a careful and judi- 

 cious consideration of the results in view. 



Your committee would therefore recommend that the 

 directors present this plan to the members at the annual 

 meeting, at which time, a committee be appointed for the 

 purpose of raising the money needed, and of carrying the 

 plan into successful operation. 



H. WHEATLAND, 



Chairman. 



Mr, HAGAR," in presenting the report, said that it was 

 time that the Institute occupied its own building and this 

 opportunity should not be allowed to pass unimproved. 

 He hoped that the members of the Society would see that 

 the plan was vigorously carried forward. Messrs. E. B. 

 WILLSON, E. C. BOLLES, W. P. UPHAM, T. F. HUNT and 

 F. W. PUTNAM spoke strongly in favor of the report, the 

 general opinion being expressed that the recommenda- 

 tions contained in said report should be adopted. 



Mr. F. W. PUTNAM, after stating that he was in full 

 sympathy with the movement and should do all in his 

 power to see it carried out, offered the following preamble 

 and note. 



Whereas in the alterations and improvements in the es- 

 tate lately purchased by the Essex Institute contemplated 

 by the report of the Directors just accepted, and in the 

 carrying out of the plans therein outlined, the work of 



