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Manor Hall Fund, Cochran gift, applicable to Philipse Manor Hall,

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Publication of Scenic and Historic America Begun

Under date of January 15, 1917, the Society began the publication of an Official Bulletin entitled Scenic and Historic America. It primary object is to acquaint the members at more frequent intervals than heretofore with the activities of the Society and to disseminate information about scenic and historic preservation generally.

During the past 22 years, the Trustees have relied mainly upon the Annual Reports as the channel of communication between them and the members and public at large; but although these Annual Reports, which began as a paper-covered pamphlet of 10 pages in 1896, have now reached the dignity of a volume of 956 pages and 77 plates, and are books of extraordinary value as records of events and repositories of original material, yet a year is a long time in these modern days of rapidly moving human affairs, and the Trustees have felt that there ought to be a more intimate and frequent touch between them and the members. Many events occur in a twelve-month which are of immediate and important interest and which deserve to be mentioned at the time of their occurrence.

As examples of such events during the past year may be mentioned the establishment of the National Park Service of the United States Government; the giving of a National Park on Mount Desert Island, Me., by public-spirited residents; the giving to the State of Battle Island State Park on the Oswego River by Mr F. A. Emerick and of Stark's Knob (volcano) near Saratoga by Mr. Emerson McMillin; the $10,000,000 bond issue referendum last November for the enlargement of the State Forest Preserve and the Palisades Interstate Park; important measures in Congress vitally affecting Niagara Falls; the menace to Riverside Park, New York City, etc., etc. Some of these events received no notice, or practically no notice in the public press. Others were of such importance that the members and public at large should have had them pressed upon their attention at once. At the same time, there are innumerable matters which, if not of critical importance, are of great popular interest which are worthy of current attention, as, for instance, the utilization of moving pictures for historical and educational purposes; the presentation of historical pageants in various localities; notable public celebrations, like the permanent illumination of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, etc., immediate knowledge or advance information of which would be of advantage. The Bulletin is necessary for these and other

purposes.

Not the least value of the publication will be the information which it will give to the members concerning the constant and lively activity of their Officers and Trustees. The Board of Trustees meets every month of the year except in the summer, and its executive officers are at work on Society matters almost literally three hundred and sixty five days in the year. The Society is decidedly a "live wire," to use a popular phrase in its particular field, a field in many respects unique; but the members might be pardoned if, receiving no sign in the interval between Annual Reports, they failed to realize the really effective and splendid work which, with their countenance and support, is being carried on by the " Scenic Society."

Hence the beginning of this publication. Its title, Scenic and Historic America, has been chosen by vote of a very large majority

vote of the Trustees from among several titles suggested. The name has been adopted with a view to the possibility that the publication may eventually develop into a regular periodical with a recognized standing in the United States and abroad equal to that of the Society itself. The size of the page is the same as that of the Annual Reports. During the current year, the number of pages and interval of publication will be governed by circumstances.

The contents of the initial number, dealing with the Annual Meeting, were largely of a statistical character. Future numbers will be of more general interest. Like the Annual Reports, Scenic and Historic America is sent free to the members.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Recapitulation of Contents

The Annual Reports which the Society, as required by law, has transmitted to the Legislature of the State of New York have:

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Need More Copies from the State

The State furnishes the Society with only 500 copies of this Report, which are inadequate to supply even the members who contribute to the support of its work, and the Society is obliged to have extra copies printed at its own expense to meet the request for them from public libraries, colleges, universities, public officials and private individuals in the United States and foreign countries.

The Society, in the furtherance of scenic and historic preservations, furnishes the Report gratuitously to public libraries, educational institutions and public officials, but is obliged to charge the actual cost of printing and carriage when sent to private indi viduals who are not supporters of the work. We earnestly ask the Legislature to supply us with a larger edition of these books for educational purposes.* They are distributed conservatively and with discrimination, promote a distinctly public work, and, we are persuaded, redound to the credit of the State. In support of this request, and as an evidence of the real value of the Reports, we quote herewith a few of the hundreds of requests for or commendations of the Reports and the Society's work from national, state and city officials, universities, libraries, educators, historians, students, etc., received during the past few years.

Requests and Comments from Foreign Ambassadors

The French Ambassador to the United States, Jean J. Jusserand, December 20, 1915: "I beg to acknowledge receipt, with very sincere thanks, of the important volume you were so good as to

* Since this was written the Legislature has made such provision in section 5 of chapter 667 of the laws of 1917.

send me, being the 20th Annual Report of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. The work pursued by your Society strongly appeals to me. I wish it all success and I hope it will extend its scope more and more. I enclose a list of French Universities.* I think it would be quite appropriate. that the Twentieth Report be sent to them. If you were so good as to send me two more copies, I should make good use of them."

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The British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Arthur Cecil Spring-Rice, through the United States Secretary of State, the Governor of the State of New York and the New York State Library, to this Society, October 26, 1914: Request for two copies of any reports that may have been issued during the last few years in regard to the upkeep and care of Public Parks.

From United States Government Representatives

Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C., October 27, 1913: "It would be greatly appreciated if you can find it practicable to complete the Department's file of your Annual Reports."

United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C., February 14, 1916: "The Survey library lacks the following Reports of your Society: 1st, 2d, 5th to 10th inclusive and 19th. Would be glad to receive any of the missing Reports you can furnish, and future numbers regularly as issued."

United States Geological Survey, Prof. N. H. Darton, January 25, 1916: "I hope you will not fail to send me publication of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society containing material on Helderberg escarpment" (John Boyd Thacher Park.)

From New York State Officials, Etc.

Attorney General of the State of New York January 29, 1916: "The material which you have we could use and would be glad to get it if you can see your way clear to place us on your list."

New York State Library, March 31, 1915: "We have at hand numerous requests for the Report of the Society. The supply of 65 copies which were sent to us for distribution to libraries (in New York State) has been exhausted. If you care to send us from 40 to 50 additional copies we can make good use of them." *The list contained the names of 16 leading French Universities.

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