The sun., 1917-09-30

talks which have been given at the
American Museum Of Natural History
on life In China and the North Ameri-
can Indian.
One Of the current Bulletins con-
tributions 10 the discussion Of the edu-
cational phase Of the Art Museums
work Is the following report Of the
speech made by Mrs. Agnes Laidlaw
Vaughn before the last meeting Of the
American Association Of Museums:
The expanding scope of museum in
structiosi constantly offers new possi-
tilities for broadening further the field
or activity. and to-day wish to direct
your attention to one Of these sugges-
t!ons for increasing the usefulness Of
our work.
Many museums Of all classes have
established correlation with school
courses. but as far as know there has
not been such cooperation between the
different kinds Of museums In a COM
munity. III referring to different kinds
of museums I have in mind particu-
iarly those devoted to natural history
and ethnography. industries including G
modern industrial processes and ma
chinery, and to the arts. In many in
stt'ices the community Is served by
one institution which contains more
than one. perhaps all Of these subjects
under one roof. In such museums the
cooperation Is simpler. Where, al In
New York. the organization is not uni
fled. the connection between the In
atr,srttnn sv, 10 At~osanN
seums consist Of q friendly sympathy
with the purposes OF the work. some-
times friendly rivalry in obtaining
results. but no studied combination Of
forces to achieve "a larger result.
suggest that the instructors in the
different kinds Of museums in q COM
munity should collaborate in preparing
course Of study in their museums
that would At into school work and
would relate the different parts Of the
study In such a manner that the pupil
might realize the unity as we'll as the
variety Of mans interests. The be-
ginnings Of things could be articulated
with the most highly developed ex-
preston Of art or Of mechanical genius
and the student reused to an appre-
tldtAOI VI IuIdu IuNCHtlOu anu tHC
power Of his application throughout
the existence Of the race. Such study
might help to instil q sense Of the
dignity Of labor as well as the glory
of creative achievement. the satisfac.
ton of work In spite Of the drudgery
Of modern industry.
What should be the method Of the
collaboration? What subjects appear
suitable? What classes Of students
would be benefited: The method may
consist of the preparation Of course
Of study on selected subject to be
carried on with a group Of persons
using museum objects and related ma
terial. The course should be prepared
by the instructors with such consulta-
ton as would be necessary TO make
refer the student from one chapter Of
the subject to another in order TO en-
phasixe the unity Of the whole and to
stimulate interest In the phases which
follow.
Let me give an example. A class in
commercial geography is studying the
silk industry. The entire study can be
carried on outside the school room.
The natural history museum presents
the opening chapters In the study OF
the silkworm, it's life histoY. culture.
distribution. The Industrial museum
contributes the material for the next
phase. or IL the community lacks a
museum Of industries the manufac-
tories may he utilized. Here can be
studied the processes Of manufacture.
the making Of the thread. the weaving
and the dyeing, the history and the
distribution Of processes. The art
museum follows with a study Of pat
tern. the principles and history OF Ge-
sign. the history of silk In Europe
silk fabrics and their uses. as In co.,
tune, furniture, rugs, &c. The study
could he completed by visits to shops
to view present day fabrics and note
designs. The class should be encour-
aged or required to make notes and
sketches and to procure samples OF
present day fabrics to compare with
the historic for texture, quality and
design
a number of subjects suitable for
museum study fall under the head of
the history Of civilization. For in
stance the fulfilling of mans needs:
A-Focd Science Museum: raw ma
terials, primitive preparation. early
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