14 
It was at first proposed to hold the first annual exhibition in September, but it 
was finally postponed to the third week in December, in order to allow more time 
to prepare exhibits. Early in November, Mr. James Vick offered the Society, rent 
free, an elegant and commodious hall for use during the exhibition, which generous 
act gave a fresh impulse to the plans of the Society. Three weeks before the date 
set for the opening of the exhibition, David T. Bruce, of Brockport, joined the 
Society, and promised to furnish a large exhibit, which promise has been grandly 
fulfilled, although at great expense and trouble. 
When it was finally apparent that the exhibition would be one of which we need 
not feel ashamed, it was decided to try and induce prominent eastern men to be 
present and act as judges, and, to the satisfaction of the Society and all its friends, 
Professor J. A. Allen, of Cambridge, Dr. Joseph B. Holder, of New York, 
and Professor W. E. D. ScOTT, of Princeton, consented to be present and act as a 
judges’ committee. 
The exhibition hall was in every respect all that could be desired, being 120 feet 
in length by 30 in width, well lighted, easy of access, and centrally located. With 
but one or two slight exceptions, all the exhibits were in place and the arrangement 
of the exhibition complete on Monday, December 13th. On the day following the 
judges had sole possession of the hall, and the day was spent in examining the 
objects entered in competition for prizes. No exhibitors’ names appeared upon any 
of the objects, but each object entered in competition was marked by a number and 
the letter of the. alphabet which had been assigned to the exhibitor. 
The exhibition was formally opened on Tuesday evening, December 14th, by a 
reception, for which about three hundred and fifty cards of invitation were issued. 
The attendance was in every respect a high compliment to the Society. Every 
object displayed was fully labeled with catalogue number, class, section, title, and 
exhibitor’s name and address. It is worthy of record that the public expression of 
surprise at the extent and variety of the display was universal. 
The exhibition opened to the general public on December 15th, to continue 
daily from 10 A. m. to 10 p. m. until the 18th, inclusive. In order to meet the ex- 
penses of the exhibition, an admission fee of twenty-five cents was charged. 
Owing to the increasing attendance and the interest manifested by the public up to 
the time originally set for closing the exhibition, the Executive Committee deemed 
it both necessary and advisable to continue the exhibition three days longer. By 
full consent of the proprietors of the hall, this was done, and the first annual 
exhibition finally closed on Wednesday, December 22d, at 10 P. M. 
For the success of the first exhibition, the Society is greatly indebted to the 
daily press of this city, particularly the Rochester Deviocrat and Chronicle and the 
Morning Herald, which, by extended reports and numerous local notices, drew 
public attention to the Society and its work. In view of the fact that the exhibitions 
of this Society are of a character entirely new to the public, and their various 
features of interest are as yet unknown and therefore unappreciated, the good offices 
of the press generally are at present an important factor in the financial success of 
the Society’s undertakings. The Society asks only a fair introduction to public 
favor, and desires to stand strictly upon its merits. It will ever bear in grateful 
remembrance the liberal and kindly efforts of the Rochester daily press to encourage 
and strengthen a new undertaking, and which contributed so largely to the financial 
success of the first display made by the Society. 
