Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-15
IMPORTANT ACQUISITIONS TO
NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
PAST YEAR.
FORT McHENRY FLAG MADE
FAMOUS az FRANCIS KEY
Cannon Brought to America by Gen.
eraI Lafayette Also Given to Mus
cum, With Numerous Other War
Relics-Extensive Collection Of GEN.
eral Grant Includes Cadet Uniform.
Especial Correspondence.1

Washington, May 15-The report O!
the progress and condition of the ma :
tional museum, which has lately been
made to congress, for the last fiscal
year and which has been published as
senate document, reveals a remark
able expansion of this institution il,
many directions. AS d matter OF fac,
since the museum was installed in the
magnificent new building which the
government has provided for it. il
mas come to be one Of the most attrac-
tive features of Washington for visi-
tors. a constantly increasing number
Of people visit it annually and it is be-
coming great center for sightseeing
not merely of the curious casual wis.,
tor. but for teachers and students.
The report OF the museum for the
last fiscal YEAR While revealing eX-
pansion along many different lines
GiScloses some exceptionally valuable
additions TO the history collection. The
additions were above the average il
number and character.
Fort MeHenry Flag.
one Of the most valuable acquisitions
by the national museum in ne last
year is the flag that flew over Fort Nc
Henry at the time OF its successful de-
Tense against the British feet Sep. -
and II. 1874. This is the flag that vas
immoytalized as The Star SpangleC
Banner" by Francis Scott Key. The
report shows that this relic. whict
I..-I y.,,t
onel of the commanding officer, Mai
George Armistead, was preserved b!
him and descended TO mis- grandson
Eben Appleton, Of New York City, ant
has been given permanently 70 the
museum. The flag derives an addition.
al interest from the fact II is one Of
The few in existence having iitteer
stars and fifteen stripes, and is greatly
frayed and torn.
A Lafayette Cannon.
Another gift consists of bronze
cannon with its wooden carria e
brought to America by Lafayette ant
used by the allied forces in the revo-
luton a the close Of which 1t was pre-
sented b,- Lafayette to Col. John Crop.
per of the continental army. Also
dating from the same period is dres:
sword and scabbard presented to Col
Return Jonathan Meigs. Of the con
tinental army by act of congress II
recognition Of distinguished services II
an expedition in l7T1 to Long Island
and likewise a pair % silver knee PUCK
les worn by Maj Gen. Richard Mont
gomery at the time Of the attack OF
Quebec and presented before his deatt
to his friend. Colonel Meigs. Both these
relics were given the museum by Re
turn Jonathan Meigs. Of Washington
the fourth in line of this name.
Among the many other important ad
ditions the museum last year received
valuable acquisitions to the already eH
I tensive collection OF Grant memorials
( Included in the additions are many rel
les OF Gen. Frederick Dent Grant. In
! Guiding the uniform he wore while ;
! cadet at West Point.
| Mrs. Henry Wells. Of Washington
! has lately loaned the museum mum
! Der OF valuable articles of historic in
| terest. One of these is a letter writ
ter by Gen. Thaddeus Kosciuskr
| when he was In the continental army
7, is written TO Ashbel Wells. assist
ant deputy quar,ermaster general 0
| tho American forces. Four earl
American chairs, two owned by Ger
/. Philip Schuyler, Of the continenta
army, and two by Alexander Hamilto
and two mahogany side tables wh:c
belonged TO Hamilton have also bee
loaned.
There are but few u the receI
additions to the historical co!lectio
of the institution. collection whic
is growing at a rate that is bound
mako u a source of illumination f
Ee.chers students and all persons ir
,eres,ed on every period Of America