1 88 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



Britton, at his own expense, had the grounds put in thorough order and many 

 repairs made to the cottage, thus relieving the Association from a considerable 

 initial expenditure. And further than this, Doctor Britton gave a cash dona- 

 tion of $100 to defray any further expenses that might be incurred in connection 

 with the property during the year 1915, and a subsequent contribution of $100 

 for the same purpose in 1916. 



With the means thus generously provided the committee was able to make 

 all necessary repairs and improvements to the cottage and grounds, purchase 

 tools and other articles of equipment required for the care of the property, 

 instal a telephone and water supply, hire laborers for various odd jobs, and 

 pay the real estate tax levied for the year 1915. Fire insurance was provided 

 for by Mr. Anton L. Schwab, who generously paid the premium on a policy for 

 $1,000 for the three-year period beginning November 13, 191 5, as his contri- 

 bution to the fund for the maintenance of the property. 



The chairman of the Women's Auxiliary Committee of the Association 

 donated a toilet set and a rug and fitted up one 01 the small attic rooms as a 

 retiring room for the women on the occasion of the meeting and reception 

 on May 22, 1915. 



Mr. and Mrs. Frederick L. Stoddard, of New York City, were engaged as 

 resident custodians. They moved into the cottage on June 3 and have been 

 in charge of the premises continuously since that time, under a general form 

 of agreement, which provides that they shall occupy the cottage and care for 

 it and in return shall be relieved from the payment of any rent. The com- 

 mittee is of the opinion, however, that formal articles of agreement should be 

 prepared and signed by both parties, now that the method adopted for the 

 care of the cottage has been tested for nearly a year and found to be feasible. 



Our experience has also shown the advisability of formulating definite rules 

 and regulations to govern admission to the premises and defining the rights and 

 privileges of members in visiting the same. 



The committee has drafted provisional terms of agreement with the cus- 

 todian and a provisional set of rules and regulations in regard to visitors to 

 the cottage, which will be submitted to the Board of Trustees in the near 

 future. 



During the autumn of 19 15 Doctor Britton contributed about forty different 

 kinds of old-fashioned flowers and defrayed all the expenses incidental to their 

 transportation and planting. They were arranged so as to form a wide flower 

 border around the three available sides of the house and now form an attractive 

 feature in keeping with the environment. 



Doctor Britton also provided the means for installing bird houses and a 

 feeding table on the premises, with incidental accessories, in connection with 

 which all of the required work was attended to by Mr. Cleaves. 



On the evening of Saturday, November 27, 1915, at the Staten Island Club, 

 the Board of Trustees gave a complimentary dinner to Dr. and Mrs. Britton, 

 at which nine members of the Board and twelve others, including the guests of 

 honor, were present. On this occasion Doctor Britton offered, informally, to 

 contribute $1,000 toward a fund for the erection of a new museum building, 



