Fairbanks History Specific to Athenaeum Hall Lectures

The Athenaeum Hall was intended to be auxiliary to the educative use of the library. Series of popular lectures of special  interest were provided : 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. Lectures and concerts have been  given under auspices of our home institutions. The Hall was designed to serve the public benefit only, and no entertainment for  personal profit has ever been admitted. (p. 323)