EEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914. 23 



the United States Army from the time of the Kevolution to the 

 period of the Civil War, supplemented by a number of English, 

 French, and Spanish swords, some of the last named dating back 

 to the sixteenth century. 



In a series of cases adjoining the window side of the range are 

 exhibited, among other articles, mainly documentary, the commis- 

 sions of Gen. Grant, Gen. Sherman, Maj. Gen. Thomas Swords, and 

 Brig. Gen. George W. Morgan ; diplomas and other honors conferred 

 on Dr. S. P. Langley, and medals and diplomas awarded Prof. 

 George F. Barker, for their services to science ; and a miscellaneous 

 collection of historical documents, plans, and maps. Adjoining the 

 opposite or south wall is a row of similar cases containing the David 

 W. Cromwell collection of postage stamps, which is exceptionally 

 large and valuable, and representative of foreign countries as well 

 as our own. On the walls other than that occupied by the windows are 

 hung paintings of historical personages, and engravings and other 

 prints illustrating noted scenes and landmarks in United States 

 history. 



PERIOD COSTUMES. 



There was opened to the public on February 1, 1914, a collection 

 of feminine import, which is quite unique for this country in its 

 largeness of scope and in part at least for its method of presenta- 

 tion. With few exceptions this assemblage is illustrative of the fash- 

 ions of the women of the United States from colonial times, including 

 all manner of accessories and embellishments, and the articles of their 

 particular sphere in the home life. 



The first suggestion was for such a presentation of changes in 

 fashion as could be made by a display of costumes worn by the suc- 

 cessive mistresses of the White House, each so draped as to bring out 

 the full effect of the gown when upon the wearer. The task proved 

 doubly difficult, first in securing the material desired and second in 

 producing a lay figure or manikin sufficiently dignified and pleasing 

 to be associated with such surroundings. A considerable delay, there- 

 fore, ensued, but 15 gowns, representing as many presidential ad- 

 ministrations, have now^ been obtained, and a series of experiments 

 has resulted in the production of a manikin which leaves nothing 

 more to be desired in that respect. During the progress of this work, 

 moreover, the scope of the collection was enlarged to include other 

 costumes and other articles, installed in a more conventional way, as 

 described below. While there is practically no limit to the extent to 

 which such an exhibition could be carried, the restrictions in the 

 matter of space make necessary a careful discrimination in determin- 

 ing which of the many offers of material should be accepted, the 



