The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
Resources of Virginia Al
ways on Exhibition.
Complete Display.
VARIOUS PRODUCTS
OF THE OLD STATE
Former Hall Of House of Dele
gates Now a Beautiful and
Well-Arranged Museum,
Always Telling of
the Riches of the
Commonwealth.

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Those ia position to know. declare
that the n-v museum in the Capitol
building. adjoining the Offices Of Com
missioner Kolner is as handsome as
any other similar display IN the United
states. Do is not the largest. OF course,
out IN point of design and its perfect
harmony. even 20 the smallest details. it
is not surpassed by museums that ara
several times its size. and which cost
many times the sum expended upon that
which now occupies the historic hall OF
the old House OF Delegates Of the Viz
sinia Assembly.
AS means Of advcruSing Virginia's
resources to an VINO may visit Rich
mond. this new museum will beyond a
doubt De one OF the most satisfactory
Investments the State has ever made
The idea OF Installing a museum in that
portion OF the new Capitol Building form
erlv used as the Hall Of the House OF
Delegates originated with Colonel A NJ.
Bowman. of Salem. who represents the
county Of Roanoke In the Virginia Legis-
iature. lie succeeded IN having appro-
priated ten thousand dollars for that
purpose. and though the new museum haf
not Yet been formally opened to this
public. IL has already aided in the sale
OF farm lands which has brought to the
state more money than the museum cost.
The Offices OF Hon. 9. w. Koiner, Com
missioner OF Agriculture and Immigra-
ton. connect with the museum on either
side. that every visitor TO that de-
partment must necessarily pass through
the museum. This is an excellent ar
ranEcment. because it affords each pros
pectNe settler tie opportunity Of seeing
the exhibits. and the Commissioner never
allows one OF these visitors to leave
until he has shown him the displays. Mr..
koiner. in the few weeks since the
exhibits were placed IN the cases. has
been able 90 greatly facilitate this por-
ton of his work. for seeing IS believing
ami he has adopted the piar OF first ex-
planning the advantages Virginia offers
the hone-seeker. and then showing the
prospective settler specimens Of fruits.
grains and other products grown in
the state. All who have thus far visited
the museum have been most favorablv
impressed with the exhibits every speci-
men of which IS a product Of Virginia,
and can oe vouched for such.
Museum Committee.
The task OF having this museum in
stalled was entrusted by the Legislature
TO a COMMITTEES composed as follows.
Commissioned q. W. Koiner, chairman.
and Senators a. r. Hobbs and H 0.
kerns. and Delegates A. NJ. Bowman and
w. W. Baker
tt.o committee SnnTL4L AFTER the
iournment OF tho legislature received
bids Tor the work. and awarded the con-
tract TO Mr.. u. S. Clarke. Of Norfolk.
who is an expert in the Installation OF
exhibits. THE Virginia exhibit at St
Louis was installed Coy him. That the
committee did not err in their Judgment
the result has proved. The contract was
awarded Ny Clarke upon the designs
which he submitted. and in every respect
these have been faithfully carried OUT
in the work as completed.
There are thirteen cases on the main
hoor OF the museum. while there are
several smaller cases in the galleries at
either end. The cases on the main floor
are birch. finished IN mahogany. and
the glass I'm each is plate Of the finest
quality. Unfortunately. much OF this
plate glass WAS broken I'm shipment.
which caused quite a delay IN the work.
and there are several glasses yet 10 be-
received before The museum is ready TO
be turned over TO the committee by the
contractor.
There ara four divisions embraced in
the museum -- agriculture. horticulture
mineral. and natural history. The east
ern end of tho museum is devoted 10
natural history a portion Of tho western
end to m.nera. exhibits. while all OF
tile remainder or the space is given 10
agriculture and horticulture. these
naturally being accorded morn promi-
nence. The first case that meets the
owe ~ the visitor % the museum IS the
'lrsH circular one occupying the centre
of tho space This fs tho largest ana
mosc handsome case in the museum II
is imposing in its dimensions It's dome
r.s'ns ton height Of seventeen Feet This
dome Is formed of loaded crystal art z,ass
Alr- Clarke. the contractor. saws that For
tA" sum be- paid for this single case. ne
could build "a pretty ava-raom cottage.