THE FREER GALLERY OF ART 
“ Seveilth. The collections and building shall always 
bear my name in some modest and appropriate form.”' 
(The letter then states that Mr. Freer is willing to make 
present conveyance of the title to the collections to the 
Smithsonian, provided that he should retain the collec¬ 
tions during his lifetime and that he should have the 
right to add to the collections such material as might 
seem necessary for their improvement.) 
“The exact form of the bequest or gift, and the details, 
for carrying it into execution, are legal questions that can 
be agreed upon by counsel representing the Institution or 
the Government and myself. 
“I am, with great respect, very sincerely yours, 
(Signed) “Charles L. Freer.” 
On January 24, 1906, the Smithsonian Regents passed 
resolutions formally accepting the gilt, “recognizing the 
great value to the people of the United States of the art 
collection so generously offered by Mr. Charles L. Freer, 
of Detroit, Michigan.” On May 5 of that year, the 
title to the collection, containing at that time some 2,250. 
objects, was conveyed to the Smithsonian Institution. 
This was but the beginning of the matter, however, for 
Mr. Freer, having retired in 1900 from an active business 
life, began to devote more and more time to the develop¬ 
ment of his collections along the lines already described. 
The result was that from time to time he made large 
additions, until in 1915 the value oi the art objects was 
nearly tripled. As for the building, he was finally led to 
increase the sum for its erection to $1,000,000. 
Some interesting facts regarding Freer’s early life are 
given by Mr. J. Oliver Curwood in an article in the 
International Studio\ 
“When about twenty-five, Freer was working in Logans- 
port, Indiana, as a clerk on a railroad of which he after¬ 
ward became auditor. At this time his chum and room¬ 
mate was Col. Frank J. Hecker, who afterward became a 
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