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Last year the Society secured the passage of an ordinance to take the mansion and grounds as public property. This was vetoed on a technicality, but will probal ly pass this year.

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PHILIPSE MANOR-HOUSE, YONKERS, N. Y.

Now used as the City Hall. The Society hopes to have it bought by the State, to be preserved.

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For three years the Society has secured the introduction of a bill for the creation of a State Park embracing Watkins Glen. The bill has not yet passed.

feeling of gratitude when he finds the picturesque has been left untouched. We owe more than a debt of thankfulness to the energetic women who have preserved the birthplace of the flag in Philadelphia, have given contributions to the collections in Independence Hall, have preserved the landmarks at Valley Forge, and have prevented the destruction or desecration of buildings made sacred by their association with American history.

In 1900 the American Scenic and Historic Society began its notable achievement of preserving the world-renowned Palisades of the Hudson. Through its intercession both New Jersey and New York became interested, and we have now every prospect of an inter-State park, with drive, from Fort Lee to Nyack. By these means one of the most interesting spots in our country will be saved from the stone-quarryman and disfigurement. The

THE COLORADO CLIFF DWELLINGS The Society is trying to preserve these from wanton vandalism.

ruins of Forts Crown Point and Ticonderoga are similar objects of solicitude.

Nor are the efforts of these societies confined to the Eastern States alone, for their interest is widespread, and they co-operate with local societies and lend aid when asked to do so in every State in the Union, from the shores of Lake Champlain to the extreme West. The preservation of the giant sequoias of California is a matter of solicitude, not alone to the State in which they are situated, but to these societies, who are using every effort to help save these leafy giants, which are the growth of centuries and which hundreds of years cannot replace. In another part of the West the women of Colorado, aided by outside societies, are

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The Society represented the State of New York in securing the legislation which created the Palisades Inter-State Park Commission.

struggling to preserve the picturesque ruins of the Cliff Dwellers and to save from wanton vandalism and stealing the pottery and relics of this interesting race. This, the only spot in America where prehistoric barbarism can be studied in its entirety, is at last to be preserved, if the untiring efforts of speech and press can accomplish it.

Another object of solicitude are the old buildings of Fort Snelling at the head of the Mississippi River." Situ

ated on a commanding bluff overlooking the great Father of Waters, this fort was for years the resting and protecting place of the missionary, the trader, and the early settler. It possesses a round stone tower built in 1820 for the safety of women and children in case of an attack by the Indians, and, aside from historic associations, is one of the most picturesque spots to be found in the Northwest.

These societies realize that every movement for the beautification of municipal or country environment should take into consideration, not only the pleasure and gratification of the adult population, but of the coming generation as well, for they will reap the benefit of reforms. For this reason the preservation of

fine architectural relics of colonial days is receiving special attention. Washington's headquarters in New York City, the home of Aaron Burr and Washington, with a fine location, architectural beauties, and historic associations, the Alexander Hamilton residence, and the cottage in which Poe wrote many of his beautiful poems, are among the many dwellings that these societies feel it desirable to preserve. Already alive to similar undertakings,

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HOME OF EDGAR ALLAN POE

It should be preserved.

Boston has her Old South Church and Faneuil Hall, and Philadelphia her Betsey Ross House and Independence Hall, whose value as objects of beauty and historic association have long been recognized by these places. The Philipse Manor House in Yonkers, and the Johnson Mansion in Johnston, will also be preserved.

Another instance of the work of those interested in these movements is the department of nomenclature, which gives prizes in money, books, and medals for the best names proposed for bridges, streets, and public places. The shocking disregard of harmony in names and surroundings, and total lack of any appeal to the imagination, have called forth this movement with the idea of obtaining

names commensurate with dignity and beauty.

These are a few of the ways in which these societies aim to better conditions locally and Nationally. No one can help being in sympathy with their objects, and the widespread organization of such bodies. is to be desired. We can all of us work toward the creation of a sentiment which forbids that things of permanent value to the Nation can be made a subject of money-getting. It is easy to mar the beauties of Nature, but difficult to restore them when once injured. The New World is still new; but our National life has already its sacred places which should be preserved for historical associations and the beauties they possess.

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