The evening times., 1899-03-10
SCHEME TO ENLARGE
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
officials Propose a Battle Alb
hey for War Relics.
Lack of Space Prevents the Display
of Many Exhibits.
Interesting Souvenirs of the Spanish
Campaign Added to the Col
lection.

one of the Government institutions in
Washington which has been overlooked
during the excitement incident ot the war
with Spain, but which has grown despite
many setbacks, is the National Museum.
New collections are being received at the
Museum almost every day and the officials
are becoming seriously embarrassed over
the lack of room. Every exhibition in the
building is important and interesting TO the
public. but there is not sufficient room to
permit the officials 10 properly display
what they have on hand. The upper sto-
ries of the Museum which few people ever
suspected of being there are packed with
surplus collections which cannot be placed
where the public can view them.
one of the most important exhibits re-
Gently placed in the Museum is the collec
lion OF money revenue stamps and bonds
received from the Treasury Department.
This collection embraces every variety OF
gold, silver and Treasury certificates now
in circulation, together with complete
set of revenue stamps, postage stamps and
Government bonds and was placed in the
north centre hall near the rotunda when it
exhibits no room was found for this inter
esting feature of the Government exhibit
ti0n and it became necessary 10 relegate
il TO the garret where il Will remain until
The next rearrangement of the Museum,
when il viii probably be restored 10 the
place where it belongs.
This is but one OF many instances where
important collections have been stored
away because of lack OF space. a sug
Ia. II. -.
Museum officials and promises TO afford
Them way out OF their present difficulty.
IL is proposed to secure an appropriation
from Congress for Battle Abbey in which
will be placed the war relics that now re-
pose in the Museum. These collections are
important and the officials have never
thought for moment OF placing them
where they cannot be seen.
There many of the minor articles
of this kind which. while of trifing in
Irinsie value, are too important charac-
ter 10 be put away and they occupy space
which could be devoted TO other objects.
In the event of the success of the prof.
ect all of the war relics would be moved
10 the Battle Abbey, together with the ler-
sonal property of famous Americans such
As Washington, Grant Lee Sherman Jack
son. and others. There are many collec-
Mons OF this kind and they would entirely
ill a gOod-sized building. The collections
when placed in position will form an in
Ieresting lesson in history.
Ii is proposed TO have a one-stOry build
ing of an architectural character similar
10 that CT the Museum, so that there would
be an abundance of light There will be
numerous large rooms 10 be devoted to
exhibits of the different wars in which the
United States has been engaged. In the
ease of large personal collections like
those of Grant and Washington. one room
would be devoted entirely TO them. 1t is
also proposed 10 transfer from the different
departments the various articles trophies,
etc. which have historical associations
Thus the large collections i'm the navy yard
would be placed in the Battle Abbey.
Ii has been suggested that some wealthy
philanthT0pist might endow building of
this kind
The galleries which were being construc-
ted during the summer in the Museum have
been completed and the exhibits are being
placed in them.
One OF the newest things in the building
is a collection of relics of the Spanish
American war. The collection is large
one, and is composed of donations and
loans from the War and Navy Departments
and many private individuals.