18 EEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914. 



is essentially chronological. The position of collections must, how- 

 ever, in many cases be determined by their size and their timely 

 interest to the public, and some of them consist of a great diversity 

 of material, representing considerable periods of time. In this 

 connection more than a general account of the collections, Tvitli some 

 references to their more important features, is impossible. 



North hall. — The two large cases on the sides of this hall, hereto- 

 fore occupied by the collection of musical instruments which has re- 

 cently been removed, will be used for historical furniture, though 

 there are many pieces installed in connection with individual ex- 

 hibits where they will remain. Among the extensive material to be 

 drawn upon for these cases are chairs, tables, and various other ar- 

 ticles, and among the historic names represented are Lafayette, 

 Thomas Jefferson, Brig. Gen. Eufus Putnam, Alexander Hamilton, 

 Chief Justice John Marshall, Col. Peter Gansevoort, and Col. John 

 Cropper of the Continental Army. It is also proposed to decorate 

 the upper part of the cases with a series of historical paintings and 

 engi'avings. 



Suspended in the wall case on the right, awaiting accommodations 

 by which a greater extent of its expanse may be displayed, is one of 

 the most precious and valued of all the possessions of the Museum. 

 This is " The Star-Spangled Banner " of Fort McHenry, the inspira- 

 tion for Francis Scott Key's immortal verses, which, retained by 

 Maj. George Armistead, its defender, has, through the generosity of 

 his grandson, Mr. Eben Appleton, become the property of the Nation. 

 An account of the steps recently taken to secure the perpetual preser- 

 vation of this flag is given in another part of this report. 



Taking up now the cases on the floor, one finds that the row on the 

 extreme left is devoted mainly to the colonial period and the time of 

 the American Eevolution. Two cases are filled with colonial relics, 

 including silver, glass, china, fabrics and articles of personal wear, 

 many connected with prominent personages, deposited by the Na- 

 tional Society of the Colonial Dames of America; and two others 

 with similar objects of a somewhat later period, deposited by the Na- 

 tional Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In the 

 same series additional miscellaneous memorials of the Eevolution, 

 including a flag, a number of presentation and service swords, silver- 

 ware and other objects, are likewise contained in two cases, in one of 

 which is also installed a set of rare china purchased in 1790 by Dr. 

 David Townsend, of Massachusetts, an original member of the Society 

 of the Cincinnati, each piece bearing the insignia of the society, and 

 the set being accompanied by Dr. Townsend's diploma of member- 

 ship, signed by Washington as president of the society. Next comes 

 a printing press that was used by Benjamin Franklin in 1725-1726, 



