CHAPTER XXVII.

LIBRARIES AND ATHENÆUM.

Early private libraries-Pittsfield social libraries-Pittsfield Young Men's Associations - Berkshire Athenæum - Thomas Allen-Calvin MartinPhinehas Allen-Thomas F. Plunkett-Rev. Dr. Todd-Henry L. Dawes.

HE number of the earliest citizens of Pittsfield who were

THE

familiar with the best literature of their day, was unusual in frontier settlements; and allusion, in their letters, as well as bequests in their wills, show that several of them owned choice libraries, which they knew how to prize. Woodbridge Little, Colonel William Williams, Israel Dickinson, Israel Stoddard, Captain John Strong, Rev. Mr. Allen, and probably others, possessed collections as large, in proportion to their means, as gentlemen in corresponding circumstances now own; and there is sufficient evidence that they used them to as good advantage as their successors.

The old tory-families seem in particular to have indulged in a love for the more elegant class of literature; and an incident of a little later date, shows how, in adversity, this sometimes became a passion with them. The family of Graves, which was nearly allied to those of Stoddard and Williams, was one of those which served the king's cause most boldly and actively; and they suffered for it both in purse and person. Still one of them, Moses, retained some portion of his estate, and his son of the same name was in business in the early part of the nineteenth century. But afterwards his fortunes declined rapidly; he became a pauper, and was taken to the alms-house, doubtless keenly feeling his position. The authorities, however, had not the heart to deprive him of his books; and, as he rode to the sad refuge of poverty, seated upon the box containing his little library, he exclaimed, cheerfully, that he could bear his fate with resignation as long as they were left to him.

Social libraries were established as early as 1796, and the town was afterwards rarely without one or more of them. The catalogue of the Pittsfield library of 1800, is preserved in the Berkshire Athenæum, and shows eighty very well selected volumes. The Young Men's Association, a society, which, between the years 1836 and 1849, was of great service, collected an excellent library. Before 1850, this society had become practically extinct, and its collection had dwindled to a set of Ree's encyclopedia and a few other books. In that year the Pittsfield Library Association was founded, with the intention of establishing a permanent and general library for the town. By its constitution, any person might become a member by purchasing a share at the cost of five dollars, subject to a yearly tax of one dollar. One person could hold an unlimited number of shares, and, unless they were used, be exempt from taxation upon all except one. Non-shareholders were admitted to the use of the library on payment of two dollars a year.

Several very earnest workers devoted themselves with ardor to laying the foundations of this institution; and, among the most indefatigable were Rev. Dr. Humphrey, Rev. W. H. Tyler, Rev. S. C. Brace, Dr. Stephen Reed, Hon. Julius Rockwell and John C. Hoadley. By the efforts of these gentlemen, in the first year, ninety-six shares were taken, and eight hundred volumes purchased at a cost of five hundred dollars. The books, among which were the relics of the young men's library, were most judiciously selected and bought by Mr. Brace. The rules of the association excluded forever all prose-works of fiction; and theological writings could only be admitted by a unanimous vote of the directors.

For some years the association flourished; successful courses of lectures were given under its auspices, and its library increased. But, probably on account of its rigid exclusion of the more popular class of literature, the public interest in it after a while languished; the books were consigned to a small room, rudely finished, which was opened only one evening in the week, by the dim light of a lantern. There was danger that the library would soon cease to be.

In this crisis, Rev. Dr. Humphrey published an appeal in its behalf, in response to which James M. Beebe, a wealthy gentleman of Boston, who was, in his boyhood, a resident of Pittsfield,

sent his check for five hundred dollars, to be used at Doctor Humphrey's discretion for the benefit of the library.

This timely donation inspired the institution with new life. A considerable number of members were added to the association, some of whom gave themselves to its interests with the same spirit which its founders exhibited. A handsome hall in Francis' block was hired; new books were purchased; more successful courses of lectures were instituted, and a lively public interest created. The rule regarding works of fiction was construed more liberally than it had been; and, although with great caution, standard novels were admitted. Both classes of book-takers increased so rapidly that it required the utmost efforts of the directors to even proximately meet their demands. Between 1860 and 1866, the Library Association had an interval of hard-earned prosperity.

In the fall of 1865, it was determined to institute a new young men's association; and it was organized November 20th; its object being the intellectual, moral and physical improvement of its members by means of a library, a reading-room, a collection of curiosities, and provision for amusement and exercise. The officers elected were: President, Thomas Colt; vice-president, Samuel W. Bowerman; corresponding secretary, Rev. E. L. Wells; recording secretary, Buel Lamberson; treasurer, M. H. Wood; directors, E. S. Francis, Jabez L. Peck, Rev. Edward Strong and William G. Harding.

Spacious and handsome rooms in James H. Dunham's building on North street, were fitted up, a liberal supply of newspapers was subscribed for, and an attractive recreation-room opened. The institution at once obtained public favor, and entered upon a brilliant career. For six years its rooms afforded a pleasant resort to its members, and added much to the credit of the town with visitors who received its hospitality. It provided many eloquent and instructive lectures, as well as social reunions and musical entertainments of a high order, all of which were enjoyed and prized by the intellectual public of Berkshire. A scientific section of the association was organized, by whose members many valuable papers were read, an interesting cabinet collected, a popular interest in science created, and several successful fieldmeetings held at various points in the town and vicinity. The association formed a pleasant bond of union among the young

men of the town, and they probably never knew a more agreeable period, nor one more favorable to the formation of character than during its existence.

In their eagerness, however, to make the institution all that it should be, they unfortunately allowed their expenditures to exceed their receipts, with the hope of increasing prosperity. Mr. Colt paid the yearly deficiency while he remained president, and great exertions were made by the other officers by personal contributions of money, and by arduous labor in the management of lectures and otherwise; the most conspicuous service being performed by Messrs. James W. Hull, Samuel E. Nichols, James M. Barker, Albert B. Root, Irving D. Ferry and Thomas G. Colt. With the approaching depression of business in March, 1873, it nevertheless became apparent that all exertions to maintain the organization would be in vain, and measures were taken to discontinue it.

When the Young Men's Association was organized, an attempt was made by some of its friends, to induce the Pittsfield Library Association to endow it with its books. But they, deeming the new corporation even less permanently founded than their own, declined the proposition, although one of its rooms, being peculiarly adapted to the purpose, was hired, and the library removed to it.

In 1861, Hon. Thomas Allen expressed his intention of doing something which would put the library of his native town upon a creditable and permanent footing; but this purpose was postponed by the disorders in Missouri, caused by the civil war. Mr. Allen meanwhile continued his interest in the institution, of which he was made president. Hon. Thomas F. Plunkett was a liberal friend of the library, and while it occupied the hall in Dunham's building, his donations were of indispensable service. Calvin Martin, Esq., for many years a friend of popular education, shortly before his death, made known his wish to contribute towards a public library. Neither of these gentlemen were satisfied with the character of the old organization, in regard to permanence, it being in law merely a private corporation, liable to be dissolved at the will of its stockholders.

While they were deliberating, they learned that the Agricultural Bank building, on Bank row, could be purchased for eight thousand and eight hundred dollars, if appropriated for the pur

poses of a library-room. This building was handsome, substantial, convenient, and well located; and the price being very low, they determined to buy it; Mr. Martin contributing five thousand dollars, Messrs. Allen and Plunkett each nineteen hundred. There being some delay in the sale, the donors made a gift of the price to themselves as trustees for a library, when one should be established in accordance with their plans. When the building was finally purchased, in October, 1868, Mr. Martin having died in the interval, the deed was made to Messrs. Allen and Plunkett, in trust.

In April, 1869, the legislature authorized the trustees of the Medical College to sell its real and personal estate, and pay the interest of the proceeds, in equal proportions, to the Library and Young Men's Associations, until the organization of the proposed athenæum, when it should receive the principal; providing, nevertheless, that so much of the personal property as it was deemed desirable to preserve, should be deposited with the Young Men's Association until the athenæum should be prepared to receive it. In 1870, the legislature changed the name of the Library Association to the Pittsfield Athenæum, but without altering its constitution. In 1870, Mr. Allen fitted the Agricultural bankingroom with handsome book-cases, at a cost of nine hundred dollars; and, together with Mr. Plunkett, invited the Pittsfield Athenæum to occupy it without rent. The offer was accepted. In 1870, the Medical College having been sold, the library, cabinets, and scientific apparatus of that institution, were also removed to the athenæum.

The trustees of the Berkshire Athenæum were incorporated March 24, 1871, "for the purpose of establishing and maintaining, in the town of Pittsfield, an institution to aid in promoting education, culture, and refinement, and diffusing knowledge by means of a library, reading-rooms, lectures, museums, and cabinets of art, and of historical and natural curiosities." This board fills vacancies in its own number, and is authorized to hold real and personal property to the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Power was also granted to the town to appropriate money towards the support of the institution, so long as it maintained a free library for the use of its inhabitants. The trustees named in the charter were Thomas Allen, Ensign H. Kellogg, Thomas Colt, George Y. Learned, Edward S. Francis,