Survey Pins 1: Edward T. Fairbanks St J History (1914), Dates/Names

Personages mentioned:

Public opening of the Athenaeum Nov 27, 1871, with design by architect J. D. Hatch of New York, Lambert Packard as builder, books chosen with advice of W. F. Poole. Opening "preceded by three addresses on successive evenings delivered in the Hall, which was filled to its utmost capacity" (322): Andrew E. Rankin Esq. on the library as a school of learning and culture; Lewis O. Brastow, then pastor of South Church, on dignity and worth of refined literature; third, collquoy by Edward T. Fairbanks. Judge Poland also spoke.

p. 323: popular lectures: Dr. John Lord "gave ten which are now included in his Beacon Lights of History; Prof. John Fiske gave a course on American History; Prof. W. D. Gunning a series on the Life History of our Planet."

p. 324: first book card issued to town clerk P. D. Blodgett; another early one to Henry C. Ide, U.S. Minister to Spain.

p. 324: re guestbook: first entry is Russian merchant Mr. Block of Moscow. ... "Receptions were given in the Art Gallery to Henry M. Stanley shortly after his memorable march thro the Dark Continent, to George Kennan with Siberian shackles in his hand, to Commodore Peary and his arctic dogs. From the east balcony and steps of the Athenaeum, President Harrison in 1891, and President Taft in 1912, addressed the thousands of their fellow citizens who stood fronting the building."

p. 327 The management of Sunset Home originated the literary course at Athenaeum Hall as one of its "devices for replenishing the treasury."

p. 390 Japanese Embassy visit Aug 1, 1972: "Arriving at the Athenaeum they were given a salute by the St. Johnsbury cornet band. At seven o'clock a  banquet was served by Landlord Gilmore at the St. Johnsbury House, 57 items on the menu. Addresses followed by Governor Hendee, Henry D Hyde Esq. of Boston, Hamileton A. Hill, Secretary of the Boston Board of Trade, and local speakers."

p. 495 St Johnsbury Woman's Club: "Among public entertainments provided by the Woman's Club, not to speak of many musical ones, have been addresses or readings by Mrs. General Custer, Julia C. R. Dorr [poet -- BK], Sallie Joy White, Kate Gannett Woods, Alice Freeman Palmer, Mabel Loomis Todd, Katherine Lee Bates, Isobel Strong, Frances Dyer; with now and then an interesting man on the rostrom for variety. When I first read this, I thought the mention of the HQ at the Athenaeum earlier on the page meant these gatherings were at the Athenaeum, but now I'm not as sure -- can we confirm, one way or the other? BK

p. 549:
AFRICA Henry M. Stanley's first visit to this town was December 10,  1886, when he gave his lecture on The Dark Continent. While  sitting that evening in the parlors of Pinehurst a cablegram from  London was handed him containing a call to take command of a  relief expedition for Em in Pasha, in response to which he sailed  for England four days later. On the 14th of February 1890,  having just emerged from Darkest Africa, he wrote from Cairo : —  "I remember the warm reception I received at St. Johnsbury, and  there too I received the summons to enter Africa again. * * *  The end crowns the work, which is now accomplished ; true I am  blanched and white but what matters it ? If any mission of a like  nature presented itself I should still wish to do it." He accepted  the invitation to revisit St. Johnsbury and gave his lecture on  Darkest Africa in Music Hall January 13, 1891, before a crowded  house. Dr. Lamson in presenting him said: "By his energy  this man has given a continent to the world, and the continent  has been more than just in giving this man to the world ; Africa  uncovered, if it did not discover, the man whose genius is the  genius of duty."   The ends of the earth have at different times been well represented on the Y. M. C. A. lecture course in Music Hall by three  distinguished explorers whom we may designate as Stanley  Africanus, Kennan Siliieriensis, Peary Arcticus. At the reception  given to Stanley in the Athenaeum 1886, he was surprised to meet  a man whom he had last seen in Mozambique and to be greeted  by two young persons, natives of Africa, in the Zulu tongue.