case at least, maintained by although not owned by the State. This statement does not include several monuments like the McKinley Monument in Buffalo or the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument in Brooklyn for which the State has made contributory appropriations but which it does not own or maintain.

The last three reservations mentioned in the following list, namely, the Adirondack, Catskill and St. Lawrence Parks, were not created primarily from scenic or historic considerations. Utilitarian motives were probably predominant in their establishment, but the beauty of their landscapes is such a large element in their value that they have been mentioned for the sake of completeness. Those marked * are in the custody of this Society. Those marked were advocated by the Society and in a large measure secured by its efforts, but the custody has been placed elsewhere as stated. The scenic and historic reservations of the State, in the order of their creation (except the last three), are as follows:

1849. Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh. (See page 44.) 1883. Niagara Falls. (See page 46.)

1887. Senate House, Kingston. (See page 50.)

1895. Saratoga Battle Monument. (See page 51.)

1895. John Brown Farm. (See page 53.)

1896. Grant Cottage, Mount MacGregor. ( (See page 54.)

* 1897. Stony Point Battlefield. (See page 18.)

† 1898. Lake George Battlefield. (See page 56.)

1900. Palisades Interstate Park.

(See page 58.)

1900. Clinton House, Poughkeepsie. (See page 61.)

1903. Spy Island. (See page 62.)

* 1904. Fort Brewerton. (See page 35.)

1906. Sir. Wm. Johnson Mansion and Blockhouse, Johnstown. (See page

63.)

*1906. Watkins Glen. (See page 23.)

*1907. Letchworth Park. (See page 28.)

*1908. Philipse Manor Hall, Yonkers. (See page 36.)

1908. Fire Island State Park. (See note below.)

1885. Adirondack Preserve. (See page 64.)

1885. Catskill Preserve. (See page 69.)

1896. St. Lawrence Reservation. (See page 70.)

Fire Island State Park was created by chapter 474 of the Laws of 1908, which became a law May 22d-after this report was written. This brief reference is inserted for the sake of completeness. A fuller description will be given in our next report. The park consist of 125 acres of Fire Island lying off the south shore of Long Island, and % of an acre of land under water in the neighboring Long Island coast. The commissioners are: John H. Vail of Islip, president; Edward C. Blum of Brooklyn, Samuel L. Parrish of Southampton, John C. Robbins of Babylon, and Col. Henry W. Sackett of New York, a trustee of this society. The secretary is Elliott J. Smith of Islip.

Following is a brief description of each one which has not already been described in the preceding pages.

Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh.

The policy of historic preservation in the State of New York appears to have been inaugurated in the purchase of Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh in 1849-50. This property consists of about six acres of land and the structure thereon, bounded on the north by Washington street, on the east by Colden street, on the south by Lafayette street and on the west by Liberty street. The property stands on high ground commanding an extensive view of the Hudson river, is surrounded by an iron fence, and includes the Headquarters Building, the Tower of Victory erected jointly by the State and Federal governments, a score of old cannon, pyramids of cannon balls, and an old brick toilet-house.

The Headquarters Building is a structure of rough stone, with an eastward frontage of fifty-six and one-half feet and a depth of forty-six and one-half feet. The walls are about two feet thick. The building is one-story high, with a high shed roof rising in the center to a height of about thirty feet. It contains six rooms and kitchen on the ground floor and has five rooms in the attic. The timbers are rough hewn. The northeastern portion of the building, measuring about thirty-six and one-half feet front by twenty-six feet deep was built in 1750 by Jonathan Hasbrouck, who acquired the land in 1747. In 1760 it was extended by building what is now the southeast corner, adding twenty feet to the frontage, the depth being the same as that of the original part. In 1770, the whole was enlarged by the addition of the western half, making the total dimensions as above stated.

On account of the prominence of the owner, the substantial character of the building, and its eligible situation, it early became an important meeting place. Beginning on the first Tuesday

of April, in 1763, the meetings of the precinct of Newburgh were held here for many years. During the War for Independence, the Committee of Safety met here; and here also military companies were organized and assembled. From April 4, 1782, until August 18, 1783, while the inactive army lay in its cantonment at New Windsor awaiting the conclusion of the negotiations for peace with Great Britain, Washington made the building his headquarters. It was while residing in this building in May, 1782, that he received from Colonel Nicola the famous letter in which the latter, expressing the unrest in the unpaid army, asked Washington to assume the title of King, an offer which Washington indignantly refused.

The property was purchased by the Land Commissioners of the State of New York in 1849, but it was not until 1850 that the appropriation of $4,191.02 was made for that purpose, by chapter 265 of the laws of that year. This act provided that the title to the property should vest in the State, and that the trustees of the then village of Newburgh should have possession and custody. Chapter 426 of the Laws of 1874 provided specifically "for the care of the lands and buildings known as Washington's Headquarters in the city of Newburgh and the property connected therewith." It placed the care in the hands of ten trustees, appointed by the Governor. The trustees serve for five years each and are divided into five classes of two members each, the terms of the classes expiring on consecutive years. Chapter 147 of the Laws of 1875 amended the law of the preceding year in some particulars. It provides that a Superintendent shall reside on the premises and keep the Headquarters open for visitors at all reasonable hours. It also provides that the Superintendent shall receive a salary not exceeding $500 and that $500 more shall annually be appropriated for repairs and care. Chapter 19 of the Laws of 1876 authorized the city of Newburgh to pay $233 to the caretaker for

care, and provides that the Common Council "shall" annually raise the sum of $500 a year by taxation for the care and improvement of the property in addition to the moneys appropriated by the State. Chapter 227 of the Laws of 1893, known as the "Public Building Law," provided that the title should remain in the State, but that the property should be managed by a board of ten trustees appointed by the Governor and divided into classes as before.

The present Commissioners are the Hon. Howard Thornton, Vice-President; Mr. William Cook Belknap, Secretary; Mr. W. F. Cassidy, Dr. John Deyo, Hon. James C. Graham, Gen. Henry C. Hasbrouck, Mr. David A. Morrison, Hon. Chas. D. Robinson, Mr. S. V. Schoonmaker, and Mr. A. Y. Weller. The Superintendent is Mr. S. J. Gregory.

The first floor of the building is devoted to a museum of historical relics, some of which have been purchased, some given and some loaned. The attic is unoccupied. The grounds and building are free to visitors, of whom 31,000 registered their names during the past year. It is estimated that as many more persons visited the Headquarters and failed to sign their names in the visitors' book. Probably 60,000 visitors would be a conservative estimate for the past year.

From 1850 to 1907, both inclusive, the State has appropriated for the purchase, improvement, maintenance and care of the property, the total sum of $120,659.97.

Niagara Falls State Reservation.

As the purchase of Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh was the beginning of historic preservation by the State, so the creation of the State Reservation at Niagara Falls in 1883-1885 was the beginning of scenic preservation by the State. The purchase of this property under the power of eminent domain, solely

for the purpose of restoring, preserving and giving free public access to it on account of its remarkable natural beauty, was at that time exceptional, and, so far as our information goes, unique in the history of the individual States of the Union. The first exercise of governmental authority in the United States to protect and preserve phenomenal natural scenery was the establishment of the Yellowstone National Park by the Federal government in 1872"as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." But while the establishment of that Park was a significant event in the evolution of the principle of preserving sublime scenery for public enjoyment, it was not created by purchase, but by withdrawal from settlement, occupancy or sale. The property was remote from civilization, it was wild and unimproved; and its acquisition did not involve the expenditure of public moneys.

The creation of the Niagara Reservation, on the other hand, involved the purchase of improved property, in the midst of a settled country, at an outlay of a million and a half of dollars; and it may be said in those respects to have established a new principle in this country and to have been the inauguration of the policy of scenic preservation by the individual States.

The State Reservation at Niagara Falls consists of 112 acres of land and 300 acres of land under water a total of 412 acres. It lies along the right bank of the Niagara river from Port Day above the American Rapids to the International bridge just below the Falls, and extends to the International Boundary in midstream. It includes the American Fall, Goat Island, half of the Horseshoe (or Canadian) Fall and several small islands.

This reservation was created by chapter 336 of the Laws of 1883, entitled "An act to authorize the selection, location and appropriation of certain lands in the village of Niagara Falls for a State Reservation and to preserve the scenery thereof." Nearly