The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-04
THE HISTORY EXHIBIT
NOW TO Be OPENED
Rich Treasures To BE Shown iii
Tircproof Building OF Con-
crete and Glass.
SOME or The FEATURES
ny W. q. srANARD.

II i
The history exhibit, which was In
tended from the FIRST TO be the chief
feature of q historical common, Grafton
such s the exposition Is, Will IN u few
DAYS be open to the public. The cause
OF the delay may not be generally
well known A large and convenient
building was erected for the historical
display, but the insurance companies
declined to accept 1t as entirely fire.
proof. 1t was known that heavy IN
Allrance would be demanded on the
rare and precious objects which would
be placed In tho History Building. The
Insurance people were not willing to
write these large policies nnless
building which was absolutely fire.
proof was provided.
1t Is stated ABOUT the exposition by
people who CLAIM, to know that the
neY building wns only erected through
tho energy land perseverance OF Hon.
J. Taylor Ellyson, who. III carrying out
his purpose, had to overcome many
Obstacles. 1t should also be known
that when the new building was ready
FOR exhibits, 1t was only through MI
Ellysons personal assumption OF fnan-
cinl sponsibility that the work OF
installation could be begun.
The new History Building, composed
j
solutely fireproof 1t consists Of a
large central hall with vestibules or
sntechambers of the same width. only
separated from 1t by pillars. Along
the Sides Of the main hall are rows Of
pillars, which separate 1t from what,
In a church, would be called side
chapels. Along these sides sections
have been made by partition frames
of gas-pipe. covered with fireproof
burlaps. Tho whole building is per-
fectly lit by skyights.
At present (AuguAt lst) it Is not
open to the public. When 1t is open
1t Will be most carefully protected.
not only By the regular exposition
the various exhibits but by strong
force Of secret service men In plain
clothes. who will be cons family pres
ent in the building.
The following notes We're made dur
Ing hurried walk through the build
Ing. and only give the barest outline
of It's contents.
The Ryan Collection OF English Por-
traits.
Az In all -,of the main buildings OF
the exposition. the proper entrance to
this one is from the north--that Ia,
the side next the water. On entering
tho wide restibule or antehall we see
one OF tho chief features OF the history
exhibit. Mr.. Thomas L. Ryan has
procured, through Mr.. Ellyson and DR..
Chandler, full-sized oil copies OF about
twenty portraits OF persons connected
With the early settlement of Virginia.
Among them are Queen Elizabeth,
James T.. Charles l.. Raleigh, Drake
and Grenville, Sir Thomas Smith Ed
1rin nd
Sewers. the Earl OF southampton, Mich
olas Ferrar. and others almost as
prominent There are also some fine
water colors, particularly those repre-
Henting st. Sepulchre's Church, Lon
don, the burial place OF John Smith,
and the church at Gravesend where
Pocahontas was inferred. In this part
OF the building hang tho State Libra
rvs portraits of John Smith and Poca-
hontas.
After the exposition ends Mr.. Ryan's
portraits will find a home at his coun-
try place.
Passing on into the main hall. the
visitor next sees the manuscript ex-
hibit. made Jointly by the State Ii
brary and the Virginia Historical So
ciety, which is contained in twenty.
seven cases, occupying both sides OF
the main aisle for about two thirds
OF the length OF the hall. 1t is diff
cult in a few words to give any idea
of the extent and value Of this collec-
tion. No such showing OF Virginia
manuscripts has ever been made be-
fore. and even the persons who gath
cred It's separate parts We're surprised
at its richness when II was arranged
and displayed.
Almost every person prominently
connected with Virginia. from Queen
Elizabeth to General Lee. and every