204 DIRECTORY OF AMERICAN MUSEUMS 



engravings, oil paintings of various periods, water colors, ceramics, 

 a very fine collection of textiles of various countries from the 4th 

 century to modern times, metal work, bronzes, furniture, casts of 

 interior and exterior decorative work, book bindings, enamels, numis- 

 matics, jewelry, costumes and accessories, prints of plants, trees, and 

 flowers. 



Historical Sketch. The nucleus of this museum was formed by 

 a large collection of casts of the best French architectural and interior 

 decorative motives, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Abram S. Hewitt and 

 their daughters in 1889. The museum was formally opened in May, 

 1896. 



Financial Support. The Cooper Union provides the room, 

 heat, light, and the salaries of the custodians, but the collections are 

 increased by the purchases of the museum directors themselves or by 

 donations of interested friends. 



Building. The museum occupies one floor of the Cooper Union. 



Administration. By a board of directors consisting of four ladies 

 who are responsible to the trustees of the Cooper Union. 



Scope. The collections are intended primarily for the use of 

 the Cooper Union classes but are accessible to everybody. Several 

 private schools have sent their classes to work in the museum; furni- 

 ture makers have already reproduced many of the pieces at consider- 

 able profit, and thus have extended the taste for the best models of 

 different countries; and decorators have employed Cooper Union 

 students to sketch interiors and furnishings in the museum for exhibi- 

 tion to their clients. 



Library. A reference library on art subjects and 800 encyclo- 

 paedic scrap books are accessible to the public and the students. 



Attendance. The museum is open free to the public, day and 

 night, on 201 working days during the year, with the provision that 

 each visitor inscribe his name, address, and profession in the admis- 

 sion book. In the year 190S-9, the total number of visitors, students, 

 and workers, was 6627. 



HISPANIC SOCIETY OF AMERICA. (156th Street west of 

 Broadway.) 



The museum of the society comprises a small number of paintings; 



wood-carving; silver-work; ironwork; ivory plaques and combs of 



Phenician origin; neolithic and Roman pottery; objects of domestic 



use from the Roman Italica; ejecutorias or patents of nobility; a 



collection of Hispano-Moresque plaques; examples of Buen Retiro 



wart 1 ; azulejos, or glazed tiles; Roman mosaics; some 160 Spanish 



