In a report to members of the Historical Society, President Eugene D. Genovese details the organization's "early success" in recruiting members, establishing a national office, and obtaining grants and funds from outside organizations.
According to the report, dated January 15, membership in the society surpassed 1,000 members at the end of December. Of that number, 10 percent are graduate students.
However, Genovese's report concedes that this growth is a mixed blessing. Noting that the organization had projected only 500 members by May 1999, he states that, "We now must accelerate our timetables for establishment of the regional organizations, journals, and much else."
The report goes on to thank Boston University for its "generous support" in housing the national office of the society, and notes that the new national director "will be joining the faculty of Boston University, which is sharing the cost."
Genovese also reports great success in obtaining supporting funds from private foundations, including $10,000 from the Smith-Richardson Foundation, $45,000 from the Gilder-Lehrman Foundation, $190,000 (for two years) from the Olin Foundation, and $125,000 (for three years) from the William E. Donner Foundation.
The report also notes progress on the society's other planned activities, including publication plan for two journals, described as a general historical journal, available in print and on-line; and a review of historical books, available online.
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