Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-08
SUNDAY. ..... ...~...JULY s. 1888
Relics and Antiquities.


Not the least interesting feature Of the
Exposition viii be the Department OF Relics
and Antiquities, provided the public shall
show an appreciation OF and respond to the
Efforts 10 secure u collection noT being made
by the committee having charge OF that de-
paIiment. This committee IL composed OF
Eve well.known gentlemen, all OF whom
are "priyate collectors" and each may be
said 20 have q speciality. The committee
have prepared and are mailing through the
country q circular IN which they re-
quest the loan Of any Article, however
iusigniacant II be deemed by It's owner,
which may have a bearing upon southern
history, or may serve 20 illustrate our civil
zation, manners, and customs. The scope OF
the contemplated exhibit f. wide one, aud
the circular should he carefully read by all
jnio whose hands IL chances TO fall. In VIZ
GINA especially there Is hardly a family that
could not furnish picture, miniature, man.
uscriot, coin, seal. Indian relic, or some other
article that would belong properly IN the col
lection. The committee wish to present as FAR
as possible series Of historic object lessons.
beginning With Indian archaeology and ex'
tending through The late civil war. For the
division Of Confederate history Tue committee
ak loans Of diaries. batte-6ag', arms, ammu'
milton, shells, torpedoes, uniforms, &c. In
the matter of Indian archaeological specimens
Virginia and North Carolina nre peculiarly
rich. There are already I'm Richmond
enough Indian objects to start good'sizsd
museum, aud the collection can be swelled
10 astonishing proportions II the people
OF the two States named who possess Indian
relies will come to the aid OF Tic committee.
In many iarm.hou,es there are throwing
around specimens Of axe-work, arrow-work,
pottery. &c, which II sent te the EXPOSE
ton might prove not only interesting to
the general visitor hut Of great value TO the
student Of archaeology. 1t Is frequently
the ease that WHIT 10 the masses appears
% DO merely q curiosity IS TO the spe-
clalst most important link IN the
cham OF evidence necessary for the
settlement OF some difficult question. A
fine archaeological display nt the Exposition
would in itself be sufficient 20 attract sGUants
20 Richmond from all over the country. 1t
would also stimulate among our own people,
particularly the young, research into most
instructive and enjoyable field Of knowledge
in the division Of colonial relies will be in-
Guided autographs, photographs OF old
houses, furniture, account-books, paper
money, coins, coats.of.arms, medals, &c,
and this division should be very full.
TOE committee promise that ell oh
tec,s loaned Will be carefully guard
ed from injury by fire or otherwise,
and that at the close OF the Exhibition these
will be securely packed and retured. The
exhibits will be in cases prepared for the
purpose, aud will be under special watch.
The names Of the gentlemen on the commit
tee constitute guarantee that the assurances
given in the circular may be fully relied
upon. The committee know the value OF
relics and antiquities and what they mean to
their owners.