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regularly met ever since in this Polytechnic building, and had our library 

 and the remnant of our museum herein deposited. Our meetings were 

 first held in the northeast corner room of the third floor, then in the south- 

 east corner of the same, and, finally, in this session room. An agreement 

 was entered into between the Academy and the Board in December, 1868, 

 and as, by some strange oversight, no copy thereof was transferred to the 

 minutes, there are few of our members who fully understand the terms of 

 agreement. From the original document, which I have been at some pains 

 to procure, and which I lay before the A cademy for preservation in its 

 archives,' it appears that neither party to the contract can dissolve it until 

 notice has been given at least ><ix months prior by the party intending 

 such dissolution to the other party of the contract. In this connection, it 

 is proper to recall that nearly five years ago, or in February, 1872, Dr. J. 

 B. Johnson encouraged us to believe that a gift of $1,200 or $1,500 might 

 be made to the Society; whereupon he was appointed a committee of one 

 to act on the subject. As we have never had a definite report, I would 

 suggest the dismissal of the committee. Subsequently, by deed dated June 

 8, 1872, the late James H. Lucas donated to the Historical Society and the 

 Academy a lot of ground for building purposes on the south side of Locust 

 street, in block 515. Unfortunately the deed was conditional, and unless 

 built upon within five years after conveyance of the deed, the lot reverts to 

 the donor. This, added to the fact that two societies are equally to share 

 the lot, may perhaps explain why the gift has hitherto remained unavaila- 

 ble. Soon after the donation there were held frequent meetings of a joint 

 committee from the two societies, appointed to get subscriptions and ob- 

 tain plans and estimates for a building. By direction of this committee, 

 two plans for a building have been made — one at an estimated cost of from 

 $60,000 to $80,000, the other at from $40,000 to $50,000. At a joint meet- 

 ing of the two societies, December 2, 1872, a separate Finance Committee 

 was appointed, consisting of S. B. Johnson, Silas Bent, and Albert Todd, 

 on the part of the Historical Society, and Dr. McPheeters, Mr. Lynch, and 

 Enno Sander, on the part of the Academy. A stock subscription book has 

 been opened and $1,200 subscribed; beyond this, little if anything has 

 resulted from the labors of this committee, and I would suggest the ap- 

 pointment of a fresh one. This question of a building is most vital to the 

 success of our Academy. By the terms of the deed, the Lucas lot is sub- 

 ject to forfeiture by the 8th of June next, unless bv that time the erection 

 of a building for the uses of the societies shall be begun in gooH faith, and 

 completed " without unreasonable delay," and it is for us to determine 

 whether to forfeit our claim, or make a vigorous effort to secure it for all 

 future. 



Nothing is so essential to our prosperity as a permanent abode, where 

 we can have our meetings in the midst of our specimens and surrounded 

 by our library. Such surroundings have a stimulating influence, and the 

 museum increases the interest of papers or discussions by furnishing illus- 

 trations. The early prosperity of the society was in no small measure due 

 to the commodious rooms granted by Col. O'Fallon, and we must never 



