The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-10
ANNE HATHAWAY COTTAGE SERVES
 DUAL MEMORIAL
Testimonial to Donor of fBeardS- ley Park and Also Memorial
 to Bard of Avon.

The Anne Hathaway cottage at Beardsley park to be a double me- morial.
 The memorial building which the women of the Art League propose placing in Beardsley park is design ed in a way to serve two purposes. This year of 1916 is a Shakespearean year and the cottage will be a me- morial to the greatest of all English writers. Again, it is intended to be testimonial to the great-hearted cit izen, James Beardsley. who gave the park for the benefit and pleasure of the people of Bridgeport forever and ever.
 The cottage as planned is a replica Of the house of Anne Hathaway at Shottery. It will be slightly modified to suit its location and to conform to the requirements for which it is to be used namely-a sort of natural his tory museum for the children, a won der-house for little folk who are al- ways wondering and asking questions. The average child in normal health is walking interrogation mark. He wants to know, and especially does he want to know about live things, birds and beasts, trees and flowers.
 It is this object the women of the Art League have in mind. The Anne Hathaway cottage as it is termed is a picturesque English cottage. It will fit into the charming location at Beardsley park better than a more inn posing building, and it will be sur rounded by garden similar in design to that in Central Park, New York, known as the Garden of the Heart. In this garden will be the sweet old fash toned flowers, and as far as it is pos sible to gather them; the flowers and shrubs, herbs and simples mentioned in Shakespeare, and those which flourished in Anne Hathaway's gar den at Shottery. The single small plot on the rocky knoll in Central Park contains eglantine, wormwood, lavender, oxlips and cowslips, camo- mile. mallow. rue, catnip, gooseberry, rosemary. wild thyme, and other plants upward to the number of two thousand. It is designed to duplicate this garden at Beardsley park. It will be source of delight and instruc- ton to children of all ages. In it the
 
 haps a humming bird moth that feeds on the wing, or mourning cloak"- perhaps a big lunar moth, a swallow tailed moth or polyphemus. It is certain the birds will come and abide there.
 In a big museum half the cases are so high the children cannot see the specimens, and nearly always, the la- AI,; ;aI, n1,n sion. Many cities are Installing chill dren's museums Brooklyn led in 1899 and today there are special mu- seums for children in Boston, Newark, Pittsburgh and Albany. Dallas is planning for one and there are num- erous junior annexes connected with large museums in other cities.
 If possible there will be a curator in charge, a wise person who will be able to answer all the little queries as to what, when and where and how things happen. To tell the intimate household affairs of small beasties, to guess what Is coming out of mys- terious brown rol, to learn how the ovenbird builds her house and all the hundreds of other interesting nature secrets With such guide and friend the interest and happiness of the chil- dren will be unbounded.
 The cottage will serve also as a pleasant rest house. Artists who like to work in Beardsley park will find it convenient, and every garden lover will take inspiration from Anne Hathaway's garden. It is for the peo- pie of Bridgeport, their service and enjoyment The maintenance of the cottage will be assumed by the Art League.
 The city, as it forses rapidly ahead in it's wonderful progress will be proud to possess such a memorial. The President of the Art League, Mrs. Philip Holzer, with an efficient CO., terie of helpers, will carry through the project, and every citizen of Bridge port should feel it privilege to as- sist in the work.
 Any gifts or contributions may be sent to the Treasurer of the Anne Hathaway fund, Mrs. c. L. Ham mond, or the chairman, Mrs. Holzer. A large sum is not to be expended and therefore small gifts are very accept able.
 The proposed site of the cottage can be easily found by following the sign board at the upper end of the park near the golf links.
 Jog on, jog on the footpath way, And merrily hent the stile-a,
 A merry heart goes all the way