The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-06-18
HISTORY IN RELICS
There's a Wonderful Exhibit In
the National Museum.
A FAMOUS COSTUME DISPLAY.

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, 1t 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 relics 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 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,
shoes, hats and bonnets, gloves, hand
kerchiefs, combs, fans and jewelry, are
also on display.
Among the costumes and uniforms OF
American men shown are a uniform
and dress suit of George Washington,
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 relics of George
Washington were purchased from the
Lewis heirs and deposited in the mu-
scum in 1878, which, with sundry addi-
lions, now include some 400 objects.
Historical furniture which at one
time or another was the property Of
men of national Importance Lafayette,
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 1885 by
Benjamin Franklin when printer in
London is specially interesting on ac-
count of its connection with this noted
statesman. as well as its historical inn
p0rtance as regards the development of
the science of printing.
Models Of five sailing vessels con-
nected with the discovery and early
history of the United States represent
viking ship, such as the Norsemen
used in their supposed early visits to
this continent in about 1000 A. D.:
the Santa Maria, flagship of Columbus;
the Susan Constant, which brought
the first permanent English colony to
America; the Mayfower Of the pill
grims and the United States frigate
Constitution.
The war OF 1912 and the Mexican
war are represented by many swords,
pistols, guns, medals, flags, uniforms
and accouterments belonging to mill
tary and naval officers, among whon
are Generals Brown, Ripley, Shields,
sMagruder, Paul, Morgan, Browne of
the United States army, and Captain
Lawrence, U. s. N. One of the most
valued possessions Of the museum is
the star spangled banner of Fort Me-
Henry, the inspiration of Keys i'm
mortal verses. This historic flag has
been backed and repaired by an elabo-
rate process. which insures its perma-
nent preservation.
Associated with the civil war are
memorials and mementos of many well
known Americans = Lincoln, Grant,
Lee, Sherman, Custer, Foote and many
Others prominent in that great strug-
gle. The extensive Grant collection,
occupying four cases, is especially in
GereSting.
Among other prominent officers re-
called by various memento3 are Ma
comb, Hancock, Decatur, Perry, Bid
die, Porter, Farragut, Wilkes, Phillips,
Newcomb, Maury, Rogers and Meigs.
The historical development in science
Is shown by several individual exhib-
its illustrating the work Of Henry,
Morse. Field, Langley, Francis, Bache.
Morton, Wharton and Baird, but most
OF the scientific apparatus is included
In the division OF mechanical technol-
ogy.