The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-09
THE LOAN EXHIBITION.
An Effort viii Be Made to Interest
the School Children.
IN THEIR couNTRY's PAST
4 brilliant Success 10 Assured to the
Initial Enterprise Of the Gaspss Chap
Ger OF the Daughters OF tho American
observation-disclosures OF Their fians.

Revolu uon-Progress Of Their Plans.
Preparations for the State loan exhibit
lion OF colonial and Evolutionary relics,
organised by the Gaspee Chapter OF the
Daughters OF the American Revolution,
and 10 be held in the Rhode Island His
torical Society building April 10 and 20,
are going forward briskly, and the enter
prise. the first OF its sort TO be attempted
Ii this State, has grown to proportions
not contemplated by its projectors In the
Il is proposed to secure IL possible the
interest OF the school children OF the
State In a matter which will bring home
60 them SO wildly their country's past
and will enlarge their knowledge and
quicken their patriotism. To this end a
letter has been addressed to the president
Of the school committee as follows:
PROVIDENCE. April z.
NJ. Waiter II. Barney. President School Committee:
DEAR sIR-The members Of the Gaspee Chapter
Of the Daughters OF the American Revolution have
organized for the 10th and Goth Of this month a
loan exhibition TO be b cid In the H. l. Historical
Society building. kindly loaned for that purpose.
Asthe objects Of this society are to awaken q
lvclier patriotic feeling and to advance historical
research we feel that this loan exhibition, taking In
~ II does all relics prior 10 1900. should meet with
the hearty support Of all citizens.
IL IL. we believe, the nrSt State loan oxniDitiou
ever held in Rhode Island. and offers TO the teach
ers and scholars OF our State an opportunity TO see
= superb collection OF documents relating TO our
early history. autograph letters from many OF our
Presidents and statesmen. portraits by stuart ana
Copley. exquisite miniatures by Malbone and others.
implements Of war used by our ancestors In the
Revolution and clothes worn by them, as well as
samples of the spinning and weaving done by the
In fact n will be a collection OF the Lares and
Penates of our forefathers brought from the mother
country and set up In the land OF their adoption.
The schools throughout the state are begged TO
interest tn emsslves In this matter and can you not
put n before tho committee OF the public schools
asking them II Il would not be well to allow the
ucholars from the grammar and high school to at
tend the exhibition either Tuesday afternoon the
10Th, II convenient. or Wednesday the Goth II pre-
fcrred.
The tickets Of admission to parties of more than
twenty scholars have been reduced from 25 to 10
cents each and every assistance win be given them
by the ladies In charge that they may derive benefit
as well ~ pleasure from their visit.
Hoping that this suggestion will meet with your
approval and cooperation. ! remain
Yours respectfully,
+. b. H MASON.
xfrs A. LIVINGSTON MASON. 6 Keene street.
That the active cooperation of the pub
lie school oeachers may be obtained, and
that the exhibition may be very generally
visited by those whose minds are most
easily impossible with tho lessons OF the
nations birth and rise to greatness, Is
heartily to be desired.
The response to the invitation to send
articles oil historic interest for exhibition
has been quick and cordial from all parts
OF the State. Bristol will be splendidly
represented through the efforts OF Mrs.
Wilbour. State regent OF the organization.
Warren, Darlington. Phenix and other
places have ~ovsrhsuled their treasure
showing. Newport, as was to be expected,
will have many things to her credit.
Last century lace Is u OF the desiderata
that has failed thus far to materialize.
Neither Is there the amour OF antique
glass that was expected; but on the other
very full, very curious and in many in
stances very beautiful. It will include
one piece that was brought to this coun. |
try In the Mayfiower, that m a quaint
old razor being the only W obtainable
relics OF the freight Of that staunch old
historic vessel.
OF antique silver q large quantity, |
much Of it uncommonly fine and valua- |
BILE, has been entered.
One exhibit not especially attractive in
appearance but with a pretty story at
tsching TO IL will be labeled ''the hat Of
IN anxious father" It was worn by a
Greenwich man who had a son at Bunker |
Hill. and who walked all the way to
Charleston the day after the battle for
news of him.
Two very different articles of apparel
will be q couple of ball dresses worn at
the festivities inaugurated at Newport in
honor of the French officers at the time
OF Lafayette's second visit to this country.
These also have q history that is worth
knowing: The fair young girl they fitted
eent to New York for a frock in which to
dance at the first ball. 1t did not come in
season and the lack Of 1t plunged her into
despair. "But bring me" said her cousin
x.ns ~. .~xt.x NkL- -.-l.- 80 |
had on yesterday; I will paint it for you"
She brought it, he decorated 1t. she wore
II and made many hearts ache, if all tales
may be believed. A little later came the
truant dress from New York, and it
ball.
Mention Of Lafayette recalls another in
feresting exhibit, one of the medals |
struck TO be worn by the school children
OF Boston when they paraded in his honor. |
The las1 to whom it belonged had hers set |
In q Lame and carried 1t, a novelty
which attracted the Frenchman's atten-
ton SO that he stopped and spoke to her. |
Gently offered a large price for one of
these medals, as they are practically out
Of existence.
The display Of miniatures will be quite
large and thoroughly interesting. One of
especial note Is or Washington and was
painted at his order for presentation to
Miss Sally Moore. then of philadelphia.
who was known to the Tories as THAT
little Rebel woman" and who, so IL Is |
said In a testimonial presented to her by
Washington, n only once but MANY
times preserved the life Of the general and
enabled him to Illustrate the plans OF the
enemy" Miss Sally, so IL appears. was
. most efficient scout and spy.
Queer, quaint old samplers will be
shown In numbers. These examples of
the needlework OF u great-grandmothers
will be supplemented by fantastic bed
quilts-one iu many colors WAS brought
rom japan a century ago-and by home |