12 TRANSACTIONS 



To combine pursuits in Science, Letters and Art under 

 one corporate name, as was proposed, it became necessa- 

 ry to secure an amendatory act to the general statute, 

 under which such Societies are organized. This was ob- 

 tained in May, 1881, and under it was filed the Certifi- 

 cate of Incorporation of the Institute. * * * 



Twelve Trustees, annually elected, have charge of the 

 property of the Society ; those for the first year were des- 

 ignated by the Messrs. Vassar ; and they, as the Incor- 

 porators, organized the Institute by adopting By-Laws 

 June 13th, 1881, and electing fifty-five gentlemen as 

 members, who, at a general meeting held June 23, 1881, 

 completed the organization by electing officers. * * * 



At the first Regular Meeting of the Institute held Oct. 

 12, 1881, the Sections reported their organizations com- 



The Scientific Section elected Prof. L. C. Cooley Chair- 

 man, and Mr. C. N. Arnold, Recording Secretary. 



The Literary Section elected Prof. T. J. Backus, Chair- 

 man, and H. V. Pel ton, Esq., Recording Secretary. 



The Art Section elected Prof. H. Van Ingen, Chairman, 

 and Mr. G. E. Bissell, Recording Secretary. * * 



From the Society of Natural Science and the Literary 

 Club the Institute received eighty members, making a total 

 elected membership for the first year of one hundred 

 sixty-two. 



It is our painful duty to record the death of the Pres- 

 ident, Mr. Vassar. the Librarian, Mr. Jackson, and mem- 

 bers Dr. E. L. Beadle and Mr. George B. Lent. The death 

 of Mr. Vassar, occurring as it did after the organization 

 of the Institute but before the completion of the plans 

 and contracts for the building, caused a momentary fear 

 that the enterprise would be discontinued, bat his broth- 

 er, Mr. John Guy Vassar, soon dispelled these fears by 

 assuming all pecuniary responsibilities and providing 

 against future contingencies. 



On the 5th of October, 1881, he announced that con- 

 tracts had been closed and the work on the building 

 commenced. 



The corner stone was laid, with appropriate ceremon- 

 ies, April 24, 1882, Rev. E. A. Lawrence, Jr., giving an 

 address. Rules governing the Museum were adopted 

 February 8, 1882.' *' * * * 



