lO NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



PRESENT CONDITION OF THE SCIENCE MUSEUM 



COMPLETION OF THE ARCHEOLOGICAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL 



COLLECTIONS 



The extensive array of cultural relics of the New York Indians 

 is now nearly completed, the hall containing seventy-seven cases. 

 No extensive acquisitions, but some important ones, have been 

 made during the year, among them a great Algonquin pot together 

 with other relics from the site at Lakeside near Auburn, fuller 

 reference to which is made in the report of the Archeologist. The 

 ethnological collection in the west mezzanine is not yet complete, 

 and though notable in many respects, is not an adequate display in 

 this field. Herein is where the disastrous Capitol fire of 191 1 did 

 its greatest damage to the Museum, ancient costumes and other 

 inflammable historic records, which it is extremely difficult to 

 replace or substitute in any M^ay, being then destroyed. 



The Iroquois wampums. By virtue of the united action of the 

 Iroquois League in council assembled at the State Capitol, June 

 29, 1898, The University of the State of New York became the 

 official custodian of the historic wampums of the Five and the Six 

 Nations. Since the receipt of these priceless records they have 

 been kept in safety deposit until proper provision could be made 

 for their exhibition. They are now displayed in a strong case 

 in the west mezzanine with labels explanatory of their significance. 

 There are nineteen of these belts, among them some of the largest 

 size and most elaborate workmanship, and of fundamental signifi- 

 cance to the history of the Iroquois Confederacy. 



Iroquois Indian groups. The general plan of the Museum 

 halls has been completed during the past year by the execution of 

 the contract for the remodeling of the western mezzanine and 

 construction of the alcoves for the Iroquois groups. These alcoves 

 and cases are of steel, concrete and plaster, fully fireproofed, and 

 become a fixed part of the building. The work consisted in the 

 construction of four projecting blocks of cases to provide for six 

 exhibits, these blocks extending, up to a false ceiling covering them 

 all, and containing all necessary switch boxes and adjustment 

 doors ; also the remodeling of the corridor outside the case blocks. 

 The construction was executed by W. F. Plass & Bro. at a cost of 



