At a meeting called at the office of F. H. Rankin, February 8, 1853, a society was organized and the following officers were elected: President, D. Clarke; Secretary, F. H. Rankin; librarian, M. Miles; treasurer, William Stevenson. The object of the society was fully set forth in the constitution as follows: "the society shall be known as the Flint Scientific institute. Its objects shall be to provide the study and investigation of the several branches of scientific knowledge, the establishment of a library of scientific works and a museum of natural history; and its fund shall be devoted to the procuring of such books, charts and other matters as shall promote those objects." The objects were further elucidated on a paper "On the Importance of acquiring and extending scientific knowledge," read by the president at the first quarterly meeting, held April 6, 1853, which paper was by request published in the Genesee Whig. In May, 1853, a circular was issued calling public attention to the objects and needs of the institution and soliciting aid in membership and donations of books, and also specimens of natural history to form a cabinet. In response to this appeal, the following names were added to the list of members: T. Newall, E. Dodge, H. R. Pratt, J. N. Lake, M. Pratt, S. B. Cummings, G. Andrews, D. Glendall, J. Guild,. M. B. Beals, C. E. McAlester, J. Kelland, William B. McCreery, Charles Rankin, M. B. Seeley, J. N. Burdick, H. Wilson, R. P. Aitkin and William Travis.

Many specimens were brought in by farmers and others and the members generally went to work with a will. Some, who were occupied during business hours, brought in valuable contributions as the result of their morning and evening excursions with a gun or fishing-rod, and obtained for their reward, in addition to the consciousness of aiding a worthy cause, improved health and renewed vigor.

In March, 1854, a course of twelve lectures having been completed, a series of weekly informal meetings for the discussion of stated subjects was commenced. The subject of geography in all relations was taken up; the topic was announced two weeks in advance and was discussed after the report of standing committees. A wide range was taken and a large portion of the earth's surface was passed in review. Many facts of interest were noted, much though elicited, and without doubt all engaged in the work profited by it.

The Ladies Library Association of Flint was organized in 1851. It was the first of its kind in Michigan. By special invitation of Mrs. T. B. W. Stockton, a small band of ladies met at her residence to consider the practicability of forming some society to supply the lack of culture for themselves and their families. This work the ladies of Flint felt to be theirs,. While the fathers, brothers and husbands were felling the forests, erecting mills, tilling the soil and building for their families new homes, the mothers wives and daughters did what was in their power to furnish wholesome food for the intellect. The result of the first meeting was the forming of an association for mutual improvement, and the decision to meet once a week to discuss literary subjects, to read and compare ideas on what was read, and a resolution to do what they could to establish and sustain a permanent library. A constitution was written and presented by Mrs. r. W. Jenny, which was adopted. The following officers were chosen for the first year: President, Mrs. T. B. W. Stockton; vice-president, Mrs. J. B. Walker; recording secretary, Mrs. R. W. Jenny; treasurer, Mrs. Dr. Manly Miles; librarian, Miss Hattie Stewart. A corresponding secretary, a book committee of three and an executive committee of five person were added to the list of officers during the first year. After some discussion relative to ways and means, and the prospect of supporting a library, the ladies adjourned to met the following week at the residence of Mrs. William M,. Fenton.

At their next meeting was expressed their firm resolve to establish a library, and their organization was called the "Ladies' Library Association"; although they had no funds in the treasury save the small sum of ten dollars from membership fees. This sum was immediately laid out for books and the members decided to supply the lack of reading matter by furnishing, each from her own store, books and periodicals, and exchanging with others. Some donations of books followed, the most valuable of which was a complete set of works known as "Harper's Family Library," the gift of Chauncey S. Payne. Lectures and various kinds of entertainments were improvised to gain funds for books, the proceeds of which the first year amounted to one hundred and sixty dollars only; still, the ladies were in no wise disheartened, and they continued to feast and to entertain the public by lectures, readings tableau and dramatic representations until two hundred and forty volumes were placed upon their shelves, as shown by their first catalogue. These were all carefully chosen. With increase of membership, some liberal donations and renewed efforts, the next catalogue, in 1854, numbered about five hundred volumes. In 1853 the association became incorporated under the direction of the following officers: President, Mrs. C. S. Payne; vice-president, Mrs. H. I. Higgins; recording secretary (pro tem), Mrs. A. Thayer; corresponding secretary, Mrs. F. H. Rankin; treasurer, Mts. A. T. Crosman; clerk, Mrs. R. W. Jenny; librarians, Mrs. J. B. Walker and Mrs. O. Hamilton. The fine Flint public library is the successor of the Flint Ladies Library Association.