MUSEUM BULLETIN 



OF THE 



Staten Usland association of Brts and Sciences 



EDITED FOR THE PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 



BY CHARLES LOUIS POLLARD, CU R ATOR- I N-CH I EF 



No. 14. Published Monthly at New Brighton, N. Y. SEPTEMBER, 1909. 



THE HUDSON-FULTON EXHIBIT IN THE MUSEUM. 



As announced in the last issue of the BULLETIN, the special commemora- 

 tive exhibit was opened on September 4, the anniversary of Hudson's first 

 landing on Staten Island. The exercises were quite informal; in the unavoid- 

 able absence of President Bayne, brief addresses were made by Dr. Hollick and 

 Mr. Hillyer, of the Board of Trustees, and by the Curator-in-chief. 



The exhibit is designed to illustrate, synoptically, the historical development 

 of Staten Island. The physiography and stratigraphic geology of the island is 

 first shown by means of specimens of rocks, minerals, etc., arranged in geologi- 

 cal sequence. The flora and fauna as it was in Hudson's time is indicated either 

 by actual specimens or by descriptive labels; practically all the native trees are 

 represented in the herbarium loaned by Master Carl Dowell, who recently won 

 the annual high school prize offered by the Association. 



The section devoted to the Indians is very complete. It includes a large 

 series of stone implements, weapons, etc., from various parts of the island, their 

 uses being fully set forth on the labels. By way of contrast, the Skinner collec- 

 tion of recent Iroquois Indian implements and costumes, from Central New 

 York, lately presented to the Museum, is also displayed here. Models of a 

 Manahatas Indian village and of a small Indian tepee complete the section. 



The period of Dutch colonial occupation is illustrated by a model of the water 

 gate and adjacent houses at the foot of Pearl Street about 1650. With this is a 

 most interesting model of the interior of a Dutch house, showing the typical 

 exterior, and within the characteristic furniture, etc. This was constructed by 

 Mr. Clement Parsons, the other models having been made under the direction 

 of the Children's Festivals Committee. 



The later colonial period, from the British occupation until after the close of 

 the Revolution, is represented by various exhibits. Two cases are devoted to 

 interesting relics of the eighteenth century, many of them belonging to Staten 

 Island; another to old manuscripts, deeds, and land grants. The walls are hung 

 with series of maps of the island, from the earliest known down to the most recent. 

 A large collection of old engravings, loaned chiefly by Mr. Gerald F. Shepard, 

 shows various familiar scenes and buildings around Manhattan. The Billopp 

 house at Tottenville is commemorated by a fine model. 



As a supplementary feature of the exhibit there is a display of costumes of 

 the various nations, — Dutch, French, Italian, etc., — which have contributed 

 largely to American citizenship. The room is decorated with Hudson-Fulton 

 banners of every description. 



The special exhibit will remain open until November 1, although as some of 

 the loans are liable to be withdrawn at any time, the public is advised to visit 

 the Museum early. The latter is open every afternoon from 1 to 5 except Sun- 

 days, Mondays and holidays. On Saturdays it is open from 10 to 5. 



The Association will commence its various activities next month, the first 

 meeting being held, as usual, on the third Saturday in October. The trustees 

 will hold a stated meeting on October g, and proposals for membership should 

 be in the hands of the Secretary before that date. 



Entered as second-class matter in the Post office at New Brighton, N.Y., under Act of Congress of July 16, 1894. 



