70 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



mens, books, and equipment in anticipation of moving. On Tuesday the 

 26th the half ton was exhausted, and on the 27th and 28th we were again 

 without any heat. After that, however, we were able to obtain a normal 

 supply. During a large part of this trying time the headquarters of the 

 museum staff were in the kitchen, where a fire was kept going by means 

 of wood and cinders. At no time was any member of the museum staff 

 absent from duty. 



War Conditions and Activities 



The Museum, in common with other institutions and industries, has not 

 been exempt from certain effects imposed by war conditions. Economy of 

 resources has had to be practised in every feasible direction and many 

 things that formerly were regarded more or less as waste material have 

 been utilized to the fullest possible extent. 



Ordinary supplies have been difficult to obtain at times. Even common 

 manila envelopes could not be obtained when needed and the mailing of 

 the February Bulletin was interfered with in consequence. 



In connection with the Mayor's Second Red Cross War Fund Industrial 

 Campaign Committee the members of the museum staff organized on a 

 100 per cent, basis, every member contributing to the fund and thus earn- 

 ing the full quota placard for the Museum. Miss Pollard has also been 

 appointed an authorized agent for the sale of thrift stamps. 



All available wall space has been given up to Liberty Loan, Food Ad- 

 ministration, and other war posters ; and the use of the assembly hall was 

 granted for war service work in the preparation of posters ; and for a 

 period of ten days in July the local exemption board of the first district 

 met in the main hall of the Museum. 



As previously mentioned, a loan of articles made by wounded Italian 

 soldiers was installed. 



Preparations for Moving 



On May 31, 1917, ground was officially broken for the new museum 

 building; on October 20 the cornerstone was laid; and at date the new 

 building is practically completed and ready for occupancy. 



Throughout the year all the available time of the museum staff was 

 employed in sorting, arranging and packing such of the specimens, books, 

 and equipment as were not on display or were not required for adminis- 

 tration purposes. Floor plans were drawn to scale, all cases and other 

 equipment were accurately measured, and the location of each in the new 

 building was determined and marked on the plans, so as to obviate con- 

 fusion when the furnishings were to be transferred. 



The lease of our present quarters expires May 31 and hence the move 

 must be completed by or before that date. On Saturday May 18, at 5 p.m., 

 the Museum was closed to the public and the final work of packing now 

 under way was begun. A contract has been made with C. H. Brown to 

 move the entire contents of the Museum and Annex during the last week 

 of the present month for $150. 



