Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30

to be rewritten in moro Interesting
style. as well as in words within the
understanding of the average person. In
other words, the heads OF the various
branches of the museum realize that
while the institution 10 Of great value to
the student, It can nevertheless be made
much more interesting to the casual Wis
itor. and at the same time not lessen its
more scientific mission. Up until the
present time there has been no general
effort made to cater to the public IN ar
ranging or labelling exhibits Science
reigned supreme, and If the visitor was
unable to grasp the long Latin or proper
names. SO much the worse for him. But
all this IS to be changed. The public is
TO be considered and its wishes respect
ed. Therefore a vast amount of work
10 being done by the several chiefs In
an endeavor to ind out what the public
most wants and in supplying It,
The most important reasons for this
change In the plan Of the museum are,
first, that the need of so catering to the
public and educating them was realized
and, secondly. that in the new building
there are practically two floors the first
or basement. and top floor. which Will
be used exclusively for office and study
purposes. No longer will chief have to
mingle his real exhibition specimens with
those intended more for students because
lack Of space did not permit of his doing
otherwise There are now two large ex-
hibition floors, and these are to live I'D
to their name In every respect. and as
fast as possible will be filled with the
various collections which belong to the
institution, relabeled and reassembled
with view of arousing the interest and
enthusiasm OF the visitors.
In line with this general movement
toward regarding the visitor as we'll as
the student. another change will be made
In the plan OF the museum as soon as
sufficient funds can be obtained with
which TO start It. This new plan is to
open the museum on evenings and Sun
day afternoons. thus putting IL ON the
same footing with the Congressional LII
brary. In speaking of this proposed
change ore of the assistant chiefs said
that IL would be important step to-
ward making the museum more valuable
as well popular.
"washingtonians.' he said. know COM
paratively little about the museum. Such
:, large per cent of the people here being
in the departments, makes it impossible
for them To visit 1t. At the present time
thu museum Is open during the hours
y2,en they are at office. and those hours
alone. OF course. the museum does not
sEizt solely for the District. being ma
,'onaI institution, but nevertheless max
IL possible for Washingtonians to
nov II more thoroughly will be a great
rsp in the right direction. Many SINH
-. institutions are realizing the impor-
ta"r5 CT placing museum within the
Zach or the people. both to the hours
K is Omen and with regard to the ex-
habits and it is only right that the Ma
t.oaal Capital should be among the cities
i v:.ich it is dome.
- ali those interested in this move
rent. nOae is more enthusiastic or anx-
tGus 10 make the museum of interest to
people generally than is j. w. Gidley.
Gus oiian % fossil mammals.
I'm doing this said Mr.. Gidley. the
museum will be equally as valuable to