New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-22
THE SLATER MUSEUM DONE
READY FOR TIE ADMISSION OF THE PUBLIC
THE BEAUTIFUL BUILDING AT NORWICH CoNH''
COMPLETED AND FILLED WITH THE
REPRODUCTIONS OF ANCIENT
AND MEDIAEvAL ART

AND MEDIAEvAL ART.
Norwich. Conn., Nov 2l-Thc Slater Memorial
Museum VIII be formally opened tomorrow TO the
public, Tho building which 1t occupies was INC
Gift of william 4. slater 10 The Norwich Academy III
memory Of John r. slater, his phIlanthropc faf]rr'
who gave ~ 100000 to educate the freedmen OF the
south II measures 100 feet by GS feet, and has
round tower l45 feet In height II contains on tho
lower floor large hall for public and anniversary
occasions and two smaller halls, or claSs-roOms,
which can be thrown into the largo hall, increasing
IFS capacity to a total Of 1000 persons The second
story With gallery completely crcllng It, Is occupied
BY the magnificent museum hail, and Is one OF the
finest interiors in tho country by the library room,
TO which the Peck Library has been transferred anu
by two class-roous The materials used In finish
ing the interior ere hardwood and marble In So
lidity of construction and perfection of finish, the
Memorial Building IS unsurpassed In New-Engand
The Academy had long needed just such building,
but had failed to interest any Of the many wealthy
residents Of this city, u3l lroiessor Hutchinson,
prior TO his demise 1885, interested Mr.. slater
The work was begun with definite idea to what
use the memorial would be put, other than that OF
hall for rhetorical and Other scholastic purposes
While the Memorial was building, Dr.. Keep began his
administration OF The institution II was at his sug-
gesion that collection Of local relics Of Indian ira
dirion was being gathered, which eventually led TO
the present museum of fine arts about TO be
thrown oyen to the general public. Numerous
communications between DR.. Keep and Mr. Slater,
who was travelling abroad At the time, resulted Ia
the lattcr's giving the Doctor unlimited authority to
ut up the that II would reflect credit upon
The city which Is known the country over as the Rose
Of New Eng and"
Edwa.d Robinson curator of sculpturng and antiq
uulty at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, was next
consulted. Not being familiar with the city, Mr.
Robinson withheld his advice until he could visit the
place That he did several years ago, and was so
tbe dpp Int he
suggested that it be devoted to tho fine arts, both
classical and modern. Mr. slater at once Invested
him with fun power and he started for Europe 10
.ccurc his Reproductions. No expense was spared
and the Slater II mora! Museum, as 1t now stands
complete, IS pronounced by the best of critics. both
rom home and abroad. TO be ons OF the finest Of lis
Size in the word. 1t IS devoted exclusively to re-
productions of the famous statues, busls, FREEZES
etc, collected from London, Athens Paris, Berlin,
Rome, Florence and Venice.
That section OF the building devoted 20 the museum
Is q large hall, with wide gallery on IFS four sides
There windows below the gallery. while Others
pour In a Hood OF light from the roof. The hall IS
divided into sections By heavy SILK curtains, there
Dcng three chambers each side, under the galleries.
which completely shut oil from the central arqa
within tine gallery circle. The main hocr Is devoted
GIeeh art entirely, While ia The gallery Is displayed
the sculpture middle and of the Renaissance
a large ebony is divided into various periods
and contains reproductions Of all ancient cOns from
the earliest tines The gallery Is devoted 10 Italian
art In this collection Is pulpit in the Church Of
santa CrOce Florence, by BenodcttO da MaIano
Lorenzo Dc Medic with the figures of Twilight and
Dawn, is very prominent There Is also the base of
nagpolc In 81. Marks square, Venice the only repro
auction exhibited In America. The Baptsmal foun-
tain and the panels Of Luca della RObba singing Cal
ery, framed la OAK, make the art OF the later middle
ages quite complete. Photographs Of paintings from
the early Italian down 10 Raphael and MichelaGgelO
and the spanish, Early German, Dutch and Flemish
scnOOIs, 10 names in all, hung The frames are
made with panel backs, an original idea of Mr. Robin
son, which allow cnangc OF the pictures. This IS
The only museum In America that mas attempted
his Another feature of tho gallery its two glass
cases filled with amor, sword hlts. swords. knives
spoons, ivory designs, etc. There are also many
busls, both upon tie main noOr and In the gallery.
The work OF ntflng up the museum has been done
by boston men, members of the Boston Museum of
tlnc Arts. The superintendent JUhn Fraser, OF
bOstOn, who does all interior work for the Boston
Museum Mr.. Fraser, with three Italian scuptors,
been here since last March has kept busy
lie introduced what he terms the revolving pedes tails
which can be turned completely around TO allow the
artist to work IL any light These pedestals are some
thing entirely ncw-newncss being one OF the impOt-
tant features Of the Slater Memorial Museum.
1t Is the intention OF the faculty Ia adj an In
Sti1icOr In sculpture 10 the museum at early date
line arts by residents OF this city. Mr. slater is al
ready Hooded win thanks and blessings for the great
boon he has given the city.
The exercises connected with the opening Will con
sist of pray by ID. Howe, OF thc Park Church,
few remarks by mr. kee p. principal of the Academy
and the addess by Professor Charles Eliot Norton of
Harvard. special train VIII be from Boston
and many prominent guests will be present