Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-13
FORMER MUSEUM CURATOR
 ADDRESS ART ASSOCIATION

The regular monthly meeting of the Norwich Art Association was held in the
 Slater Memorial Monday evening. Mrs. Frank 'Hempstead, the president presid-
 ed Reports of the secretary and stand
 ing committees were read and approved. Four new members, one active, three as-
 sociate were received The association unanimously voted to continue the sup
 port of the French war orphans now aid
 ed by them during the coming year.
 At the close of the business Srneeting.
 Harry w. Kent, formerly curator of the
 Slater museum, now secretary Of rhe Metropolitan Museum of Art in New
 York city, gave an interesting. instructive
 and entertaining talk, illustrated by stere5 pticon slides on The Museum in the Community, to a large and appreciative audience.
 Mir. Kent gave a brief history of nu-
 seums. saying originally they were used only to exhibit paintings and sculpture,
 but during the latter half of the 18th century beginning with the establish
 -nent of the Victoria ard Albert Museum in London. England. in 1850 and which industrial exhibits were held. much had been done to broaden their influence in Eurrpean countries, especially in France, | Switzerland and Germany. Several most | artistic views were shown illustrative of 1 this phase of art work. However, net until the recent war dem, l onstrated our great need in this respect was anything done in this country. Dur l ing the last five years a definite effort j has been made to develop distinctive i American art-not only reproductive but creative No:a lc exhibits of industrial
 or tacti.e arts nave been held in New
 York, Boston, Providence, Philadelphia, !, Chicago and Milwaukee. These exhibits are proving extremely valuable as they :! offer opportunities for manufacturers ard
 artists to meet and display products and designs.
 They furnish an outlet for the design 1 CT and give the manufacturer an oppor-
 tunity to exhibit and inspect the best that
 America is producing already some not ably praiseworthy productions have been
 the result. As was shown at recent ex- hibtions of furniture, silks and silver.
 MT. Kent had most interesting views of
 these exhibits
 To prove that America has a distinc' tive are of its own. produced during the I 17th and 18th centuries. MT. Kent snow
 ed and delightfully."- explained many views
 both exterior and interior of some of the lovely old buildings. public and private
 which are still in existence. Notably tit
 state house, Fanieul hall and King. Chape. in Boston, Trinity church, tn court house and synagogue in Newport
 Parson Capen's house at Topsheld, thu Van Courtlandt Phillips and Schuy1e Manor houses in New York city and Al , nany, and as beautiful example of Dutcl architecture the Dykeman farm house il ; New York city.
 Two, architects of the 18th centur: 2 were especially mentioned. Charles B7\ finch, designer of the old Hale Hous at Hartford, which has recently bee t, restored and opened to the public, an his contemporary. Peter Harris, design CT of Trinity church and the synagogu , at Newport ! The restoration and opening to tn public as museums of such buildings g I 4he Van Courtlandt and Dykernan house 3, in New York city. The Pendleton hous l in Providence and the Essex museum 1 It Salem are great education factors bringing to the American public the beal n ty of line simplicity of construction an : character of this early American ar l. More work along this line should n done before tSese priceless old -hous, a and furnishings are destroyed and lost |, posteriI.
 At the conclusion of his address, M
 Kent was warmly greeted by his mar T Norwich friends.