Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-04-23
NEARLY $1,000 SPECIMENS IN
CASES OF HISTORICAL
LIBRARY.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS OF
INTEREST AND VALUE
DISPLAYED.
ONE OF FINEST COLLECTIONS
ANY PLACE IN THE
NORTHWEST.
Madison. ADril

! Inc COlGCJlOnS OF the arcnaeOlOS-
ical and chronological department of
the museum Of the State Historical
society of Wisconsin, at Madison,
number at the present time in the
neighborhood of $4,000 specimens,
some 5000 of which are at present
on exhibition in the principal ethnol-
ogy han. They are arranged in wall
and table cases along the center and
sides Of this hall. Instructively la
belled and accompanied with photo
graphs, prints, drawings, and maps,
their valuable contents are made ad-
ditionaIly attractive to the university
students and to large numbers of mis-
ceIlaneous visitors, who come from
all parts of Wisconsin and neighbor-
ing states.
The series of archaeological mater
ials at present on exhibition in the
table cases include the following:
1. Illustrating the manufacture of
Clipped flint implements. The pro-
ducts of both the 'roughing-out'
shops at the quarry sites, and of the
| finishing shops are shown, together
with the primitive implements en-
ployed in their making. Caches of
flint blades and disks add to the in
| terest of the series.
2. Illustrating the classification and
uses of Clipped stone implements.
This series includes arrow and spear
points, knives, scrapers, perforators,
spades, hoes, ceremonials, etc.
! g. Illustrating the manufacture,
classes, and uses of pecked and
ground stone implements. 1t includes
axes, celts, gouges, chisels, ADDE'S,
Ipestles, mortars, hammers, mauls,
ETC.
4. Miscellaneous stone, hematite,
shell, bone, lead, iron, and other i'm
PIGMENTS, ornaments, and ceremoni-
ais.
s. Collection of native copper i'm
plements and ornaments, including
arrow and spear points, knives, axes,
chisels, pixies, avis, needles, fish
hooks, beads, crescents, etc.
G. Three additional cases illustrate
mainly the implements, utensils,
weapons, and ornaments of the abor-
iginal inhabitants of the four lakes
region.
Z. The collection of aboriginal
earthenware is especially valuable
and extensive, including particularly
a fine collection of ancient and mod
ern Pueblo and cliff-dweIler ware, the
gift of Hon. Robert L. Mccormick,
and a fine series of mound pottery
from the ST. Francis Valley in Arkan-
sas and Missouri.
s. The smoking customs of the In
d an inhabitants of this section Of the
country are illustrated by means Of
an entire case of ancient and early
historic pipes.
Wisconsin Mound Group.
Models of a Wisconsin mound
group, and of the principal types of
efigy mounds for which this state is
celebrated, complete the collections
of archaeological materials
The American chronological collec-
lions are at the present time chiefly
confined to a single large wall case,
and consist mainly of articles illus
trative Of the tribal life of the sew
eral we'll known Wisconsin tribes
the Winnebago, Chippewa, Potawat-
omi, Menominee, Sank, and Foxes.
Several fine birchbark canoes swing
from the ceiling above the row Of
center table cases. There is also a
good model of the Hopi pueblo of
Tegua.
Portraits of Chiefs.
On the tips Of the wall cases are
shown a rare and very valuable col
lection of oil portraits of noted Wis
consin and other Indian chiefs; Of
paintings of Black Hawk war battle
fields, etc.
In this hall are also several screen
exhibits, which are changed from
time to time. Those at present on
exhibition illustrate by means of
carefully selected series of photo
graphs, prints, maps, etc., The Feat
.ures of Wisconsin Archaeology; The
Making of Fire, and Central Califor-
MIA Archaeology. All are accompa-
MED by full and carefully Prepared
descriptive matter These screens
represent a new departure in museum
display methods, and particularly APP
peal to the student and visitor, who
often has not the time nor inclina-
ton to study large series of materi-
ais They likewise enable the presen-
tation, in an inviting form, of sub
iects no. otherwise readily illustrated
in a limited space. Some other ad-
vantages are also apparent.
Collection From Philippines.
A fine collection of Moro materials
from MindanGo is also temporarily
installed in this hall In an adjoining
hall is a valuable collection illustra-
tive of the interesting period of the
Wisconsin fur trade. Other ethnolog-
ical materials are shown in some of
the other halls of the state historical
museum.
Valuable additions too all OF these
collections are constantly being made.
and the exhibits themselves are from
time to time rearranged to meet the
growing needs Of students and WIS.,
itors.
Reading tables are now being pro-
vided, and these supplied with help