Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-09-21
THE EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY
TAKES 4 LEADING
PLACE IN THE EXHIBITS.
u ID Made by Minnesota md
me N"rthwcstern States II ReyeIa-
"oh 10 EasterBers-The Dnkotas
en-" Wisconsin Well Represented

""NS"h iaFK, special Correspond
ehce.-Ihere were no displays in which
the dc and cffete East expected to
score such n complete victory rs in
educational exhibits. When the nta
'ei1aiS OF these displays were being
put III position none of the great East
ern educators expected the surprise
mat awaited them from the North
west. In conversation with one. of the
many Eastern authorities in education
who were busy here with their dis
plays about May l, l foolishly VEN
tured the remark that | believed that
Minnesota would make the whole out
hit ashamed of themselves when they
saw her display completed. The man
addressed was from classic Yale and
ne proceeded 10 make mincemeat out
or my rash assertion in about the fol
lowing wise: Minnesota surpass in
educational exhibits. How could that
be possible? Why, Minnesota" said
he, is n new state. 1t is an utter inn
possibility for her 10 take rank with
inc Eastern states" / left the man
10 his glory and the acquired wisdom
OF an "A. NJ" and & "Ph. D." 4
month later l saw him very busily
engaged in looking over the large col
lection Of portfolios in the Minnesota
educational exhibit, and then he pro-
ceeded To add insult TO injury by re-
fusing to believe that public school
scholars not yet advanced to the rank
Of high school could even have done
such work in illustrated language and
in Typographical maps and drawing.
Nevertheless, whether he meant 1t SO
or not, his doubt was a high cOmpli-
ment to the excellence of this actual
school work. When it becomes known
that the pupils in their every day tasks
can show a height of skill that leads an
Eastern authority TO doubt his own
senses (Which no Western nan would
nav liz HNlbf1AAJ ~ hb@SNObg ~ 80
about time that we people of the wild
and wOOlly" began to shake hands
with ourselves Il Ia George Francis
Train. But we have more direct evil
dencc rs to the excellence of the Min
neSOta educational display rs well as
that OF the entire Northwest. No less
authority than DR.. Reid has pronounced
the system of instruction given in the
Minneapolis and st. Paul schools the
best in vogue in America. 1t is now
generally acknowledged by other eX-
hibitors here that Minnesota has the
ideal state educational exhibit in the
Liberal Arts building. One Of the
leading authorities on education in
California, who is preparing an article
On the educational exhibits for an
Eastern magazine, unreservedly de
ClareS that Minnesota is ahead of them
all. He has spent three weeks in max
ing n thorough inspection of all Of
them. The gentleman in Chicago of the
Wisconsin exhibit on educational sub
tects adds his paeOn of praise 10 the
general chorus, and it strikes the ear
much stronger because his opinion came
gratuitOusly and unsolicited. He said
that Minnesota had an ideal education
al exhibit.
The Minnesota classification of school
work has been made by the teachers
Of the schools which are represented
in the display. 1t shows n very close
and careful selection of exhibits for
the walls of the space allotted. Most
Of the educational exhibits which !
have seen embrace an endless and ap-
parently disconnected wilderness Of
specimens that lead to confusion and
detract much from the effects of really
meritorious work. The space given
to Minnesota is arranged with six al
coyes on each side of n central aisle,
upon the walls of which are hang
ing the best specimens of WORK, while
other displays are made Ill revolving
cases and in portfolios. The first thing
that strikes the beholder is the display
In the preponderance Of drawings,
models, etc, kindred to the tine arts.
These drawings, paintings n models
are admitted to be equal and In many
instances superior to the same class
Of work displayed by normal and tech
meal schools in various parts OF the
Liberal Art building. There are many
instances In which improvements could
have been made If more funds had
been at the disposal Of Prof. +. Il. VIII
son, in charge Of Minnesota's educa-
tional exhibit. The lack of funds il,
of course, noticeable, particularly IN
the placing and hanging Of the display,
which sometimes suffers on account Of
il. setting.
On n side Of the central aisle are
rooms devoted TO sewing and cooking,
to wood and metal work, wall paper
designs, Illustrated botany lessons, IL
Illustrated language lessons and map
work. On the other side are alcoyes
devoted TO country school exhibits, pho
tographs of public educational institu-
tions. normal school work, Carleton
college exhibits and state university
exhibit. The college exhibits are not
I'D TO the standard set by the public
schools of Minnesota, or that set by
other colleges of other states. All the
exhibits on the walls are placed under
glass except the wood II metal work.
The schools of the state which have
contributed most 10 the display are
Minneapolis, st. Paul, Duluth, Still
water and Winona.
The Minneapolis exhibit eXcels ! N
carved and general wood work, IN de