EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1909. 57 



square feet of space in the main government building were assigned. 

 Its preparation was begun as soon as possible after the organization 

 of the board, and the installation was practically completed by June 

 1, when the exposition opened. The principal idea kept in view was 

 to present an outline of our national achievements and jDrogress, and 

 of the facts connected with the development of the western part of 

 the United States and the outlying possessions. 



The collection has been classified in several groups, beginning with 

 190 portraits of eminent persons connected with the discovery and 

 history of America, Alaska, the HaAvaiian and the Philippine 

 Islands, and with ])hotographs and paintings of historic scenes and 

 landmarks. Historic vessels, like the Viking ship, the Santa Maria, 

 the Half Moon, and the Mayfower, are represented by models, as are 

 the early achievements with steam, including John Fitch's steamboat, 

 which plied on the Delaware in 178G, the Clermont^ first used by 

 Fulton on the Hudson in 1807, the Phoenix and the Savannah, and 

 also the jorimitive methods of land transportation in America, as 

 well as early railway locomotives, such as the John Bull, the Stour- 

 bridge Lion, etc. The medallic history of the country is illustrated 

 by copies of 23 medals struck in honor of the Presidents of the 

 United States and of others commemorative of important events, and 

 American cartography by a series of maps; while information re- 

 garding the expansion of the country is furnished by facsimiles of 

 a number of treaties. 



The influence of various religious sects in the settlement of the 

 Pacific coast and Alaska is indicated b}^ means of paintings of Span- 

 ish missions, of models of mission buildings, relics, and other interest- 

 ing objects, an excellent model of St. Michael's cathedral in Sitka, 

 photographs of churches and clerg}^, and a collection of religious 

 books connected with Russian missionary efforts in Alaska ; and by a 

 collection of portraits of persons conspicuous in the establishment 

 and growth of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, models of their 

 temple and tabernacle in Salt Lake City, a chart showing their migra- 

 tions from Vermont to Utah and other j)laces, and a number of relics. 



An exhibit which attracts much attention relates to the ancient 

 pueblos of the southwest. It includes a painting of the prehistoric 

 ruin of Casa Grande in bird's-eye view, and models of three of the 

 rectangular structures, known as compounds, containing the build- 

 ings used for, the performance of sacred rites and as habitations of 

 medicine men and chiefs. Clitf-dwelling architecture is portrayed 

 in a model of the mummy cave in northeastern Arizona. Modern 

 pueblo and California Indian family life are depicted by groups of 

 Zuni and Hupa Indians engaged in their customary occupations. 



The culture, customs, and industries of the people of southeastern 

 Alaska are illustrated by lay figures of an Eskimo man and woman. 



