office headquarters, the issuing of knitting wool and the return of knitted articles; and for the preparation of surgical dressings. The permission was granted on condition that no cutting or other machines requiring heat or electricity, or light other than that now supplied, should be used, that suitable fire-extinguishing appliances should be provided, that strict oversight should be maintained to avoid the accumulation of rubbish and prevent fire, and that every other suitable precaution should be exercised for the safety of the building and its contents. The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Yonkers Historical Society, who have been accorded the use of two rooms under revocable permission, expressed their readiness to share those rooms with the Red Cross, and Mr. Cochran interposed no objection to such use of the north wing because of his valuable art collection in the south wing. Miss Jean A. Reid, Directress of the Red Cross Work, personally appeared at the meeting of the Trustees in New York on the evening of February 25, 1918, and explained the methods and kinds of work to be done in the Manor Hall, and it was largely due to her statements and assurances that the Trustees adopted the following resolution: "Resolved: That the Manor Hall Committee be authorized to grant permission to the Yonkers Branch of the Westchester County Chapter of the American Red Cross to use, during the pleasure of the Board, the part of the north wing of the Manor Hall asked for by the Red Cross, it being understood that the Manor Hall Committee will impose as a condition of the occupancy of the building every reasonable precaution against fire or other injury to the building or its contents." In adopting this resolution, the Trustees did it with the tacit understanding that it was not to constitute a precedent. The Red Cross work is unique. It directly affects the lives and well-being of the American soldiers who are fighting for the maintenance of the liberty and very civilization of our nation as well as those of our allies. Another such emergency will not arise, probably, during the present generation--and, it is to be hoped, never,- and therefore the permission to the Red Cross must remain unique and is not to be a precedent for other and unlike applications. Closed for Lack of Coal Owing to the coal famine in the opening weeks of 1918, we were obliged to close the Manor Hall from January 1 to February 21. Visitors The number of visitors to the Manor Hall during the year ended December 31, 1917, as nearly as we can estimate without the aid of turn-stiles, was 10,309. This estimate is based on the number actually counted by the Superintendent, with an addition of 25 per cent to cover persons not so counted. The register of guests shows that visitors have come from Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin; also from Vancouver, B. C., and other parts of the Dominion of Canada, Cuba, San Domingo, Columbia, several from London, Eng., Carlisle, Eng., Oldham Lane, Eng., Glasgow, Scotland, Dublin, Ireland, Johannesburg, South Africa, and China. The names of many well known artists, sculptors, architects, literatteurs, statesmen, and soldiers are autographed in the visitors' book. The Manor Hall, with its historical associations with the War for American Independence, has a splendid attraction for the soldiers encamped in Van Cortlandt Park and neighborhood, and many of them visit the building almost every day. The Superintendent, Mr. George W. Chamberlain, being a Civil War veteran, gives them a "soldier's welcome" as well as a state welcome. Financial Statement of Cochran Gift The financial statement of the Manor Hall Fund, Cochran Gift, belonging to the Society is given with the accounts of the other Society funds on page 51 preceding. Financial Statement of State Funds Following is a statement of state funds received and disbursed on account of Philipse Manor Hall during the year ended December 31, 1917: 69. 70. 67-68. Chadburn & Edwards, carpenter work, etc.. G. W. Chamberlain, superintendent, April.. Ernest Schadtle, janitor.. 214 10 100 00 50 00 No two of the State properties in the custody of this Society resemble each other, and John Boyd Thacher Park has its distinct individuality. It is a striking illustration of the wide diversity of geologic structure, physiographic form and scenic beauty which characterize different parts of the State of New York. John Boyd Thacher Park is a tract of about 350 acres of land on the crest of the Helderberg escarpment about fifteen miles due west of Albany. It is situated in the towns of New Scotland and Guilderland, Albany county. It is about two and a half miles from Meadowdale station on the Delaware and Hudson railroad and about 534 miles from Altamont on the same road. The postoffice address of the superintendent, however, is East Berne, Albany county. The park was given to the State by Mrs. John Boyd Thacher of Albany in memory of her late husband. Mr. Thacher was a distinguished citizen of Albany. He was State Senator, served two terms as Mayor and had an international reputation as an author. The gift was accepted by the State of New York and committed to the custody of this Society by chapter 117 of the laws of 1914. An extended description of this beautiful property is given at pages 341-377 of our Nineteenth Annual Report for 1914. The park extends about three miles along the Helderberg escarpment. This interesting geological formation has an altitude of from 1100 to 1800 feet above sea-level, and here faces eastward and northeastward. The immediate foreground for many miles beyond the foot of the cliffs lies below the 400 foot contour. Beyond this and the middle distance can be seen Mount Mac |