Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Description of Memorial Hall

From whatever point the visitor approaches Rehoboth Village, the first object that attracts the eye is the tower of the Memorial Hall. He is at once struck by its graceful proportions, and a nearer approach confirms the impression of its beauty. We cannot better describe it than by referring the reader to our frontispiece, where an excellent view of the structure can be had. It is situated on a gentle eminence, facing south, surrounded by ample grounds. Near by, the Palmer river, now untrammeled by mill wheels, flows cheerily to the sea. A fine elm in front adds to the picturesqueness of the spot. In outward aspect and thorough workmanship, it is all and more than the picture represents it. Its main dimensions, exclusive of projections, are 38 1/2 by 6o 1/2 feet.

The first floor comprises three rooms, viz:—a school room, 24 1/2 by 38 1/2 feet, leading out of which is a recitation room 12 by 15 feet, which forms part of the northern projection of the building. The school is on the west end and is lighted from the north and south. An antiquarian room which is 19 by 30 feet and is lighted from the north and east, and a library room, 19 by 30 feet, which is lighted from the east and south, occupy the east side. The second floor consists of the haIl, 38 1/2 by 6o feet, and is amply lighted from the east, south and west. The

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basement is well-finished, is deep, and contains one of Barstow’s best furnaces. In the tower in front, Mr. Goff has caused to be placed a bronze tablet bearing the following,—"Goff Memorial, 1884," which, with the labor expended upon it, cost not far from five hundred dollars. The building can be said to have been finished in the autumn of ‘85, although some slight additions have been made by Mr. Goff at intervals since.

The Blanding Library, comprising about six hundred and twenty-five volumes, the greater part of which were contributed by Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Bicknell, was opened to the public for the first time, February 22, i886, and has been open ever since, two evenings of each week, Monday and Friday. The school room was open for a public school in the fall of i885, and was so used for two terms. In April a private school was opened, which is supported by various individuals. The total number who have contributed toward the building fund is about one hundred and sixty, with amounts varying from ten to two hundred dollars. The total cost of the building is nearly $I4,000, of which Mr. Goff furnished about $10,000.

The initiative object of the building, as a repository of ancient relics, is recognized as paramount in the completed structure. Its Antiquarian Room on the northeast corner is large and well lighted, and in every way attractive. Much time and labor have been expended on this department, especially by the President, Rev. G. H. Tilton, and the Secretary, Wm. H. Marvel, both of whom have been actively engaged from the first. The names also of Wm. H. Luther, Esq., Librarian and Custodian, and J. C. Marvel, Esq., deserve honorable mention for their efforts in this direction. The collection, in point of interest, is second to none in the State, though there are

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some more extensive. Still the donations, considering that they were drawn in a single year almost wholly from the garrets of a single town, are quite as remarkable for their variety as for their rarity. En order to render "Honor to whom honor is due," as well as to furnish a catalogue for those visiting the room, we give below a list of the articles with names of the donors.