The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1902-12-24
PICTUREsIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS


Prof. A. L. Wade whu was principal
of the public schools Of Morgantown
early in the seventies, and who was
afterwards for several years, superin-
tendent of the schools OF Monongalia
county, says that the great exhibit of
tine pictures at the school building
the past week will improve the pubic
taste. He says that this exhibition
has produced a genuine art revival in
this community, and that city super
intendent w. X. Gallup deserves high
praise for securing the loan Of this
large collection OF great pictures.
Mr.. Wade further says that this
interest 10 pictures reminds him OF an
art revival which occurred In the coun-
try schools of Mopongalia county
when be was superintendent more
than twenty years ago. The story Of
this rtrevival Is told by Superintend-
emit Wade 10 his annual report for
1879, from which we are permitted to
quote. Under the heading.
ORNAMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL
ROOM.
Superintendent Wade's report says:
"a couple of cultured women en-
ployed as teachers in Cur county,"
Miss Martha Brock aud Mrs. Eva
Hubbard had previous to the last
year introduced pictures into their
school rooms.
So pleasing was the effect produced
upon all parties interested, that / re-
solved last autumn to devise a plan
for placing pictures 10 all tie school
houses OF the county As the plan
succeeded so admirably and cost so
little, l give it for Jne benefit Of 9TH
ers who may feel an interest 10 es-
thetics. ! sett 10 the city for one
hundred neat cnromos, 10x12 inches,
which cost only trihe at wholesale
prices, and carried several Of these
with me wherever l went 10 my work
OF visiting schools In each school
proposed to present one of these pic
lures upon condition that the teacher
and pupils would promise at least one
more for their school room. The
prospal accepted, committee OF
pupils, ladies and gentlemen, appoint
ed by the teacher, would make choice
of picture which l then presented
to The school. The interest in pic
lures flew Ia all directions, and Ia
many places they anticipated the Su-
perintendent's coming by performing
their part Of the contract In advance.
The method adopted TO accomplish
this was as follows:
The teacher furnished one picture
and gave permission to each family,
sometimes to each pupil, to furnish
lone. In rural districts where pictures
were not plenty, some pupils clipped
them from magazines and almanacs
l was pleased to see, even in these
cases, Ingenuity and taste In framing
them, using, as they did, for this pur'
pose, wood, leather, paper, corDstalks,
shells, autumn leaves and fern. Ii
lother communities cultivated mothers
yielding to the earnest appeals Of
their children, selected from the par
Tors their finest pictures and purest
notices for the adornment OF the
school room. These beautiful pic.
lures and notices paid their cost 10 q
single session. They siren gthoned IL
the pupils love of the beautiful, 1
love Of cleanliness, q love OF order ant
q love for their own school. Tn,
walls and windows of the school room
were kept clean and clear Of cob web
and scrapers aud mats we're placed q
lmany of the doors. Cleanliness o
person and neatness Of attire is [
marked Characteristic OF most of tn
teachers and pupils Of our schools
The inspiration produced by this es
thetic culture has been caught b.
many of the less fortunate pupils an,
is shedding sunshine into their hum
BILE homes"