124 Staten Island Association of Arts aj^d Sciences 



Among the most important of these are 53 reptiles and batrachians from 

 Frank Watson ; Indian implements and Revolutionary relics from Alanson 

 Skinner, William T. Davis, and the American Museum of Natural His- 

 tory; 1,065 mounted plants from Charles Humphrey, and many bound 

 and unbound books from Hon. Howard R. Bayne, Hon. Ralph McKee, 

 L. L. Tribus and others. 



A highly successful loan exhibit of paintings vv^as displayed in the mu- 

 seum from March 15 to April 15, 1913, consisting chiefly of water colors 

 and pastels, the work of well-known local artists. A similar exhibit on a 

 much larger scale will be opened in this room next week. 



Further details in connection with the activities of the museum may be 

 obtained from the appended report of the curator-in-chief to the Board 

 of Trustees, which will be submitted to the Board at its annual meeting 

 on May 24. 



Report of the Curator-in-Chief 

 To THE Board of Trustees, 



Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences. 



Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit herewith my sixth annual report 

 as curator-in-chief, for the fiscal year ending May 17, 1913. 



While the growth of the museum, as measured by the list of accessions 

 and the record of attendance, has not been as marked as during the fiscal 

 year 1911-1912, there are many indications that it has gained in prestige 

 and influence among our people as an educational institution. The various 

 activities have been strengthened and extended, and the work of the 

 museum has commanded the respect and won the continued support of 

 the municipal administration. 



Museum Exhibits 



Removal of the large mantel and mirror in the lower hall gave oppor- 

 tunity for the placing of two large cases to contain part of the MacDonald 

 collection of antique ceramics. Two square glass cases were added to our 

 equipment, one containing the model of the Billopp house and the other a 

 life group of the downy woodpecker. Some minor changes have been 

 made in the biological and ethnological exhibits. 



A loan collection of paintings was installed in one of the lower rooms 

 on March 15 and was open for one month. A much larger exhibition is 

 now being prepared for display in the assembly hall, and will remain on 

 view during the summer. 



Alterations and repairs to the stable, converting it into a museum annex, 

 were completed in September, at a total cost of $414.11. Of the balance 

 remaining from the appropriation of $500 for this purpose, $80 was trans- 

 ferred to the fuel account by permission of the Board of Estimate and 

 Apportionment. When the annex was ready for use all the mineralogical 

 study collections were moved into it, leaving considerably more space in 

 the museum available for exhibition purposes. 



