which athenaeums were funded by Old China Trade Merchants?
日志
用旧中国贸易利润建立的书院
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旧中国贸易利润除了为美国工业革命提供了第一桶金，还帮助兴建了美国最早的精英文化教育慈善机构
这里专讲 书院 19世纪上半叶，前身： 读书会
Several athenaeums in the U.S., particularly in New England, were funded by the wealth generated from the Old China Trade (1784–1844), when American merchants traded primarily with China for goods like tea, silk, and porcelain. Prominent families and individuals who amassed fortunes from this trade were often patrons or founders of cultural institutions, including athenaeums, as a way to invest in and support the cultural and intellectual life of their communities. Some notable examples include:
1. Boston Athenaeum (Boston, MA)
- Many prominent Boston families involved in the Old China Trade, such as the Perkins, Appleton, and Forbes families, contributed to the establishment and growth of the Boston Athenaeum. These merchants used their wealth to support intellectual and cultural institutions. https://bostonathenaeum.org/ Edward Clarke Cabot，Henry Forbes Bigelow
2. Salem Athenaeum (Salem, MA)
- Salem, Massachusetts, was a hub for the Old China Trade, and families like the Derbys, Crowninshields, and Peabodys accumulated vast wealth through trading ventures. These merchants were significant benefactors of the Salem Athenaeum and other cultural institutions in the area. https://salemathenaeum.net/
3. Providence Athenaeum (Providence, RI)
- Merchants from Providence also participated in the China Trade, and some used their profits to support the Providence Athenaeum. For example, the Brown family, who were involved in international trade, played a role in shaping cultural life in Rhode Island. https://providenceathenaeum.org/about/history/
4. Newport Athenaeum (Newport, RI)
- Newport was a maritime trading center, and several Old China Trade merchants helped fund cultural institutions, including the Newport Athenaeum, to promote learning and intellectual engagement. https://redwoodlibrary.org/our-history/
5. Portsmouth Athenaeum (Portsmouth, NH)
- Portsmouth also saw the influence of Old China Trade wealth. Merchants in the city, enriched by global trade, contributed to the Portsmouth Athenaeum, helping to build its collections and ensure its longevity.
These athenaeums reflect the ways in which wealthy merchants from the Old China Trade era sought to leave a lasting legacy by supporting institutions of learning and culture.
ChatGPT said:
Several prominent athenaeums, libraries, and cultural institutions in the United States were funded or supported by merchants who made their fortunes through the Old China Trade. The Old China Trade, which began in the late 18th century, involved American merchants trading with China for tea, silk, porcelain, and other goods. Many of these merchants later used their wealth to support educational and cultural institutions, particularly in the Northeast. Some notable examples include:
1. Boston Athenæum (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Founding and Support: The Boston Athenæum, one of the most important libraries and cultural institutions in the U.S., was founded in 1807. While it wasn't exclusively funded by Old China Trade merchants, several key donors were involved in the China trade. Prominent Boston families such as the Perkins, Forbes, and Coolidge families, who were successful in the China Trade, supported this institution.
- Legacy: Many of these merchants were significant patrons of the arts and education, contributing to the development of libraries, museums, and universities in Boston. Their wealth helped establish the Athenæum as a major cultural hub.
2. Salem Athenæum (Salem, Massachusetts)
- Connection to the China Trade: Salem, Massachusetts, was a major center of the Old China Trade, and its merchants played a significant role in the founding and development of the Salem Athenæum, which was established in 1810. Wealthy families like the Derbys, Crowninshields, and Peabodys made fortunes through trade with China and contributed to cultural institutions in Salem.
- Peabody Influence: George Peabody, a notable philanthropist from a family involved in trade, also contributed to the cultural development of the area, including the establishment of institutions like the Peabody Essex Museum, which is closely linked with the Salem Athenæum.
3. Providence Athenæum (Providence, Rhode Island)
- Connection to China Trade: While the Providence Athenæum was not directly founded by China Trade merchants, the institution benefited from the support of wealthy Rhode Island families involved in maritime trade, including China. Providence, like Boston and Salem, had a community of merchants who amassed fortunes through global trade, including with China, and later supported cultural institutions in their home cities.
4. New York Society Library (New York, New York)
- Indirect Influence: Though not primarily funded by Old China Trade merchants, the New York Society Library, one of the oldest libraries in the U.S., received contributions from wealthy New Yorkers who were engaged in global commerce, including China trade. Prominent New York families involved in the China Trade, such as the Astors and Grinnells, later contributed to cultural and philanthropic endeavors in the city.
5. Peabody Institute (Danvers, Massachusetts)
- George Peabody’s Influence: George Peabody, a leading philanthropist with ties to the China Trade, founded the Peabody Institute, a cultural and educational center in Danvers (now Peabody), Massachusetts. While it is not an athenaeum in the strict sense, it served a similar role in promoting education, arts, and culture. Peabody's wealth from international trade, including connections to China, allowed him to establish this and other institutions.
6. Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts)
- China Trade Influence: While Phillips Academy itself is not an athenaeum, it was supported by wealthy New England merchants, some of whom were involved in the China Trade. The Perkins family, in particular, played a significant role in the school's history and contributed to its expansion. The family's wealth from the China Trade also supported other educational and cultural initiatives.
These athenaeums and institutions benefited from the wealth generated during the Old China Trade era, as merchants reinvested their fortunes in public education, culture, and the arts. Many of the families who profited from the China trade became prominent philanthropists, leaving a lasting legacy in the form of these cultural institutions.
