Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/676

 552 THE HISTORY OF BAKEINGTON. Hon. Lewis B. Smith, Col. Charles H. Meiriman, Mr. Alfred Stone, ot the firm of Stone, Carpenter & Wilson, architects of the building, and an historical address bj Thomas W. Bicknell. The building is mediaeval in its structure, and in the collection of the boulders in the first story of the building, are memorials of the glacial period referred to in the first chapter, as well as memorial stones contrib- uted bj many donors, from all the farms and smaller estates of the town. The cemented stone work in the foundation of the structure where the diverse figures and colors blend in a symmetrical whole, is an emblem of a true civil society, into which the town may grow more readily and per- fectly, by means of such a building. The Barrington Rural Improvement Association. This useful society, the pioneer of all similar associations in the state, was organized in iSSi, having for its objects the discussion and encour- agement of all matters which may advance the public interests of Bar- rington. Its membership includes the leading citizens of the town, and its influence on the progress of the town during the last twenty years has been eflicient and salutary. Its special labors have been exerted in behalf of good roads, the planting of shade trees along the highways, the culture of fruits and flowers, public drainage, public health, public schools, a town hall, care of cemeteries, small parks, etc, etc. This society proposed and secured legislation making Arbor Day a state holi- day, and the first public celebration of Arbor Day was held at Drown- ville, in 1886, when an elm tree was planted to the memory of Abraham Lincoln. The celebration of Arbor Day is an annual event of the associa- tion, at which trees are planted to the memory of useful citizens of the town and distinguished citizens of the state and nation. At its monthly meetings, committees report on, and the members dis- cuss, various subjects and proposals relating to local and general needs of the town, whereby an intelligent understanding of facts and arguments is obtained, which enables the members and towns-people to act more pru- dently on matters coming before the town. It is safe to state that most of the important town legislation the last two decades has passed the ordeal of debate and received the endorsement of this association before being adopted by the town. The presidents have been : John C. Burrington, John L. Draper, Charles F. Anthony, Erastus L. Walcott, J. U. Starkweather, David A. Waldron, Irving M. Smith, Royal D. Horton, John F. Richmond, Harry M. Smith, IrvingM. Smith, George Lewis Smith, Orrin S. Anthony, Wm. E. CoUey, and Frank O. Field ; the secretaries : Charles F. Anthony, Harry M. Smith, William T. Lewis, Erastus L. Walcott, Orrin S. Anthony, James H. Griffith, W. T. Lewis, Jr., Irving M. Smith, and Edward H. Weeks. Barrington Public Library. The history of the new Public Library may be prefaced with a brief account of the Library Society organized in Barrington at the beginning