Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-16
Curtis Big Worlds Fair Scheme to
Represent Historical Events
Since the Discovery by
FINE MODELS OF ACTUAL SCENES.
Pictures of the Parts Played in American
Civilization BY the Spaniards
and the Portuguese.
RELICS FROM TIE ANCIENT RUINS.
Accurate Exhibits Of Various Periods Since Colonial
Times

CHICAGO, September 15-Mr. William
E. Curtis, of the Department OF State, has
submitted to the subcommittee on organi-
EAtion plan for Latin-American depart
ment at the Worlds Columbian Exposi-
ton. Its chief features are as follows:
There should be distinct and separate
department devoted to Spanish and Portu-
guese Americans, and within it should be
represented as accurately and as completely
as possible by chronological period and
geographical divisions the development of
civilization from the time of the discovery
TO the present day. 1t begs leave to suggest
the following plan:
Period of the Discovery-First, model
OF the house at Genoa in which Columbus
was born, with collection of portraits of
himself, his family, etc.
SCENES IN SPAIN,
Second, an illustration of the court of
Ferdinand and Isabella, with lIte-sized
figures properly costumed, portraits and fac
SMILES of state papers, relating to the first
voyage and subsequent events in the life of
the great discoyerer. Third, portrait repro
ducing the caravel in which Columbus
sailed, manned by sailors in the costume of
the time, to be moored in or near the
grounds of the Exposition, the carayel TO
be equipped as nearly as possible as it was
during the voyage, with originals of fac
slmlIes OF the compasses and other instru-
ments used by navi gators of that age; maps
Of the world as then known, together with
the actual charts used by Columbus. if
those can be obtained, and, il aot, accurate
reproductions
Fourth, a model in relief of the West
India Islands and the north coast of South
America, showing the routes of the several
voyages made by Columbus and other early
discoverers, with historical illustrations.
models, relics, etc., of Americas Vespucci,
AIonsa Ojeda, Nunez DeBalboa and Others
MODELS OF NATIVES
Fifth, life-sized models of the natives of
America at the time of the discovery, with
collection OF objects showing their cos
tunes, habits, customs and manner of life
Sixth, the last day OF Columbus, illustrated |
with models, portraits, a collection of the |
original OF his papers, lac SimIles of his last |
Will and testament; exhibits illustrating the |
circumstances of his death and burial; |
models of his coffin and tomb and the |
numerous monuments erected to his memory
In various parts OF the world.
Period OF the ConqUest-First, the epoch
OF Cortez, illustrated by models of the ships
IN which he sailed; the equipment of his
men; costumed figures showing their arms;
nautical instruments, maps and charts.
showing the advancement in geographical
knowledge. Second, models OF the temples
ana palaces o: Montezuma, illustrations of
the religion, customs and social condition
OF The Aztecs, their industries, modes OF
agriculture, mode of life, military and DO
!tleaI organization, with costumed figures. |
RELICS OF OLD TIMES.
Third, similar illustration of the ciyili-
zaton Of the Incas in Peru, with models of
their palaces and temples, religious em-
blems, costumed figures showing their i'm
p!ements of households; agriculture. war
lnd mechanical industries, with figures
showing the arms, armor and weapons of
PIzzaro and his men, the banner OF Pizzaro |
EN- broldered by Queen Isabella, now in the
City Hall at Caracas. Fourth, the prehis-
iorlc CIVILIZATION in Nucatar and Central
America, illustrated by models ana relics
from the ruins of the Tollec cities of which
so little is known.
1he Colonial Period-First, collections
showing the development of the Southern I
continents from the time of the conquest to :
he epoch OF the Revolution, giving by lessons
continuous history OF the Central and Sontb
American republics and their progress in
civilization, with portraits of their eminent
men, and examples of the arts and indus
Tles of the colonial periods.
A MIRROR OF THE PRESENT.
Second, the epochs of their evolution. I
Illustrated by portraits, historical pictures
nd papers, the originals of fac SMILES of
he declarations of independence of the sew
raj republics; the weapons and military ,
GuiDments OF the times; relics of Bolivar ! :
nd other great leaders; and collections
racing the history of the struggle that re-
ulted in the separation of the colonies from
he crown OF Spain. Third, the develop-
lent OF the Empire of Brazil during the
anne period to the time of Dom Pedro III. l
The Period of the Present-The examples I
lustrating the period OF the present should a
e divided into three classes, viz: First. '
ian, his manner OF living and his occupa- /
onS. Second, the natural resources upou Q
tich he works. Third, the results he pro- y
lAreS.
VI. Curtis suggests that these exhibits be
1llectIons conforming in shape to the c
-merican continent, and that the exhibit of il
lch nation be placed according to its geo. ST
raphlcaI position s