Milford chronicle., 1915-04-30
HISTORY IN RELICS
There's a Wonderful Exhibit In
the National Museum.
A FAMOUS COSTUME DISPLAY.
Besides Uniforms of National Heroes,
There Are Nineteen Gowns Of the
Wives of Our Presidents, Beginning
With One of Martha Washington.

A recent report on the United States
National museum gives an account of
the origin and development of the divi-
sion of history which will appeal to
every American. The first building ex-
pressly erected for the National mu-
scum was not opened to the public un-
til October 1881, and from that date
until the occupation Of the new build
ing, in June, 1911, it contained the
greater part Of the exhibits Since the
opening of the new building, however,
the natural history collections have
been removed there, leaving more
space in the older building for the ex-
tension of the divisions Of American
history and arts and industries.
The division was originally organized
to illustrate the history of the United
States from colonial times by exhibit
! ing such relies and memorials of note
| worthy persOnages and events and the
domestic life of the country as could
/ be brought together into groups of OBJ
! jects representing the different periods.
| One striking feature in this connection
is the unique American period cos
tune collection of nineteen dresses be-
longing to the successive hOstesses Of
the White House from the time of
Martha Washington to that of a recent
administration. These costumes are so
exhibited on lay figures as to bring out
the full effects of the gowns. although
no effort has been made to reproduce
the faces of the individuals. Several
other dresses and a great number Of
accessories of apparel, including shawls, I
shoes, hats and bOnnetS, gloves, hand
kerchiefs. combs, fans and jewelry, are
also OH display.
Among the costumes and uniforms Of
American men shown are a uniform
and dress suit of George Washington,
a court suit of General Thomas Pinck-
ney, the court dress and other attire Of
James Monroe and the uniform coat of
General Andrew Jackson, worn at the
battle of New Orleans.
Many memorials and relies of George
Washington were purchased from the
Lewis heirs and deposited in the mu-
scum in 1878. which, with sundry addi-
tions, now include some 400 objects.
Historical furniture which at one
time or another was the property of
men Of national importance-Laf
Jefferson, Putnam, Hamilton. Ganse-
WORT, Cooper and others-is displayed
Colonial relics deposited by the ma
tional society Of the Colonial Danes Of
America fill two large cases.
The printing press used in 1886 by
Nlar In 4.
London is specially interesting on ac-
count of its connection with this noted
as well as its historical i'm
pOrtance as regards the development Of
the science OF printing.
Models of five sailing vessels con- i
nected with the discovery and early !
history of the United States represent
I viking ship, such as the Norsemen l
lsed in their supposed early visits to /
his continent in about 1000 A. D.; i
he Santa Maria, flagship of Columbus;
he Susan Constant, which brought
he first permanent English colony to
the MayhOwer Of the pill v
;rims and the United States frigate v
Constitution. e
The war of 1912 and the Mexican n
var are represented by many swords, s.
pistols, guns. medals, flags, uniforms "
md accouterments belonging to mill lo
ary and naval officers, among whom Il
re Generals Brown, Ripley. Shields,
Tagruder. Paul. Morgan, Browne OF
he United States army, and Captain
n awrence. L. S. n. One Of the most C
alued possessions of the museum is m
he star spangled banner of Fort Nc Sc
Ienry, the inspiration Of Keys i'm al
lortal verses. This historic flag has M
cen backed and repaired by an elabo-
ate process, which insures its perma-
ent preservation. 81
Associated with the civil war are
lemorials and mementos Of many well
nOwn Americans - Lincoln, Grant, kl
zee, Sherman, Custer, FoOte and many
theirs prominent in that great strug-
e. The extensive Grant collection,
four cases, is especially in m
.restlng. m
Among other prominent officers re- Il
lled by various mementOs are Ma RI
Dmb, HanQock, Decatur, Perry, Bid to
e, Porter Farragut, Wilkes, Phillips. le'
ewcomb. Maury, Rogers and Meigs. m
The historical development in science sp
shown by several individual exhib- el'
5 illustrating the work Of Henry, =
orse, Field, Langley, Francis, Bache.
orton, Wharton and Baird, but most
the scientific apparatus is included
the division ot mechanical technol- ge
". ca
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