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Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



year. These courses represented the feature of the Museum 

 activities that attracted the largest element in our community 

 and the unfailing support of those for whose entertainment and 

 instruction they were arranged. As indicative of their popularity 

 it may be noted that an attendance of 2,537 was recorded in con- 

 nection with the twenty-two lectures included in the two courses 

 given in 1917, an average of 115 at each lecture. 



During the month that has elapsed since the last number 

 of the Bulletin was issued the Museum activities have been re- 

 duced to a minimum. The fuel situation has become more ser- 

 ious than ever before, and only the most necessary and urgent 

 routine and emergency work has been feasible. Coal can only 

 be obtained in small amounts from time to time and the Museum 

 was kept open on a day to day basis until February 4 when our 

 supply was exhausted and no more could be had. 



On February 6 it became necessary to place the following 

 notice in the main entrance door: 



Museum Closed Today 

 on account of lack of fuel. 



Persons having business with the 

 Museum or with any member of 

 the staff will please ring the bell. 



The Museum will not again be open to the public until 

 sufficient coal is secured to maintain a fire in the furnace for at 

 least several days ; but the Director and Curators will be pleased 

 to receive and welcome any members of the Association in the 

 temporary official headquarters in the kitchen, at all reasonable 

 hours. Any contribution of coal, however small in amount, may 

 be delivered at any hour of the day or night, at the front, rear, 

 or cellar door, with the assurance that it will be thankfully re- 

 ceived and put to good use. 



As we go to press we are pleased to announce the receipt 

 of two bags of coal, brought to the Museum late last evening by 

 Mr. H. H. Cleaves, in his automobile, all the way from Princes 

 Bay. A few shovelfulls of this supply will be reserved to heat the 

 assembly room for the meeting of the Association on Saturday 

 evening. The remainder will be used to maintain a fire in the 

 kitchen range for as long a time as it can be made to last. Who 

 else is in a position to assist and to earn the gratitude of those 

 who are endeavoring to safeguard the Museum and its contents 

 under trying and uncomfortable conditions ? 



