Below is a transcription of the 1st and 2nd annual report(s) (issued as one document) of PMSIA.

First and Second Reports
of the
Board of Trustees
of the
Pennsylvania Museum
and
School of Industrial Art.
1876-'77.

Philadelphia: Review Printing House, N. W. corner Fourth and Walnut Streets. 1878.

Officers for 1878

President,
Coleman Sellers

Vice-President,
Edward T. Steel

Vice-President and Managing Director,
William Platt Pepper

Treasurer,
Clarence H. Clark

Secretary,
H. Dumont Wagner

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Hon. J. Hartranft,
Governor of the State.

Hon. William S. Stokely,
Mayor of the City.

Hon. Charles R. Buckalew,
Appointed by the House of Representatives

R. W. Downing,
Appointed by the Select Council.

Edward T. Steel,
Appointed by Common Council.

Fairman Rogers,
Appointed by the University of Pennsylvania.

J. B. Knight,
Appointed by the Franklin Institute.

F. Oden Horstmann,
Appointed by the Philadelphia School of Design for Women.

J. Vaughan Merrick,
Appointed by the Board of State Centennial Supervisors.

TRUSTEES ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS:

To serve for five years.
W. W. Justice,
Wayne MacVeagh,
John R. Baker,
F. R. Shelton

To serve for four years.
John Sartain,
Coleman Sellers,
Dr. William Pepper,
James Hunter.

To serve for three years.
James L. Claghorn,
William Bigler,
John C. Browne,
Chapman Biddle.

To serve for two years.
Thomas Dolan,
Samuel Wagner, Jr.,
William Platt Pepper,
George W. Childs.

To serve for one year.
Henry C. Gibson,
William H. Merrick,
Thomas Cochran,
G. Dawson Coleman.

COMMITTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Coleman Sellers,
Edward T. Steel,
William Platt Pepper,
Clarence H. Clark,
H. Dumont Wagner (ex officio),
Adam Everly,
Chapman Biddle,
Thomas Cochran,
Samuel Wagner, Jr.,
F. Oden Horstmann,
John R. Baker,
William H. Merrick,
J. B. Knight,
J. Vaughan Merrick,
W. W. Justice,
Wayne MacVeagh,
F. R. Shelton,
John C. Browne.

COMMITTEE ON ORNAMENTAL ART.
William Platt Pepper, Chairman,
Henry C. Gibson,
John C. Browne,
Clarence H. Clark,
John R. Baker.

COMMITTEE ON THE MECHANIC ARTS.
J. B. Knight, Chairman,
J. Vaughan Merrick,
F. Oden Horstmann,
G. Dawson Coleman,
Thomas Dolan.

COMMITTEE ON MATERIALS USED IN THE ART INDUSTRIES.
F. Oden Horstmann,
James Hunter,
Thomas Dolan,
John R. Baker.

COMMITTEE ON THE ART LIBRARY.
Samuel Wagner, Jr., Chairman,
J. Vaughan Merrick,
Fairman Rogers,
John C. Browne.

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
William H. Merrick, Chairman,
Thomas Cochran,
F. R. Shelton,
Edward T. Steel,
Clarence H. Clark.

COMMITTEE ON THE BUILDING.
Thomas Cochran, Chairman,
R. W. Downing,
J. B. Knight,
Adam Everly.

COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION.
J. Vaughan Merrick, Chairman,
John Sartain,
J. B. Knight,
F. Oden Horstmann,
W. W. Justice.

COMMITTEE ON LAW.
Chapman Biddle, Chairman,
Samuel Wagner, Jr.,
Thomas Cochran,
Wayne MacVeagh.

COMMITTEE ON AUDIT.
W. W. Justice, Chairman,
Edward T. Steel,
William H. Merrick,
Thomas Cochran.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

In presenting the report for the past year, your Trustees deem it desirable that it should be prefaced with a sketch of the history of the formative stages of the movement which has resulted in the permanent establishment of the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, in order that the Members and the public may be fully informed of the purposes and intention of the Institution, and of the motives which led to its organization. So much has been accomplished during the year, all of which is the fulfilment of the original plan, that a review of the work from its commencement will, no doubt, be of interest, and serve to show the growth and present status of the Museum.

During the summer of 1875, the approach of the International [Centennial] Exhibition suggested to the minds of several persons who had previously been interested in the subject of Industrial Art Education, that there would here be presented an unusual opportunity of forming a nucleus of works of industrial art, the beginning of a collection which, as has been seen in the history of similar enterprises, would, if once made, grow of itself, and which, in time, could not fail to have a most beneficial influence upon the industries of our State and City. An organization was effected, and so arranged as to include in the management representatives of the leading educational institutions of the city, and of the State and City authorities, thus securing the cooperation of all those whose devotion to the public good proved their value, and demonstrating the fact that the new Museum and School of Industrial Art did not intrude on the work of established organizations, of which our citizens are so justly proud.

A charter was granted by the Court of Common Pleas in February, 1876, and, in pursuance of the plan, adopted, an election of a board of Trustees was held, composed of gentlemen representing the most important interests of the State, and, immediately afterwards an appeal was made to the public for means to carry out the scheme proposed.

A fund was formed, and a Committee of Selection was appointed to expend twenty-five thousand dollars at the International Exhibition, which had now opened. This Committee were in daily attendance at the Exhibition, and secured the first choice of the most interesting objects there displayed, and also received many valuable gifts from the Foreign Commissioners and Exhibitors, besides forming associations with persons who are prominently identified with similar institutions abroad. The universal courtesy and appreciative interest with which the Committee were received by the Commissioners from Europe, would make it almost invidious to mention any special names in this connection, but the great obligations under which the Corporation is placed by the action of P. Cunliffe Owen, C. B., and Colonel Sir Henry Bruce Sandford, K. B., of Great Britain, to whom we are indebted for the loan of the valuable India Collection and the gift of the work exhibited by the South Kensington Museum, compels the most public acknowledgement and sincere gratitude of the Corporation.

Permission having been granted by the authorities of Memorial Hall for the Corporation to occupy the building, possession was taken after the close of the Exhibition, and the objects purchased stored in that building.

It will thus be seen from this slight sketch, which is really but an outline, that the object of the originators of the Museum scheme has been steadily kept in view; that at the close of the Centennial year there had been established in our midst, unknown, perhaps, to many, a comprehensive plan of Art Education, which has already borne fruit, which needed only the same prudent and thoughtful care to develope [sic] into a power which has already influenced the taste of the public, and stimulated our manufacturing industries. Three important steps had been taken during that year by the young Museum,--the formation of an effective corporate organization, the complete utilization of the advantages of the Exhibition, and the occupation of Memorial Hall--and these during a condition of financial depression which discouraged and disabled many existing Institutions. To the fact of the great need of such instruction as can be afforded only by an Industrial Art Museum and School, can be attributed the success of our corporation up to this point, together with the strong feeling of public confidence shown in its management.

The loss which the corporation sustained by the death of Mr. Theodore Cuyler and Mr. John L. Shoemaker, both of whom were among its earliest and most enthusiastic promoters, was severely felt, but their wise advice and counsel has left so great an impress upon the character of the organization, it is a subject of great congratulation that the Museum had their cooperation while living.

The description of the rapid growth of the Museum from that time until now belongs to the

REPORT FOR 1877.

Although the work, thus far, had progressed beyond the expectations of its projectors, yet the public generally were not aware of its existence, or of the value of what it proposed to accomplish. To bring the Museum more prominently to the notice of the people, an exhibition of objects purchased by the Corporation, and others loaned by citizens, was opened January 16th, in the rooms of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The hearty cooperation of the owners of rare and interesting works of industrial art, who generously entrusted them to the care of the committee in charge, the appreciation of the visitors and the presence of many students and artizans, served to make this Exhibition a source of great pleasure and instruction, while the purposes of the Corporation were clearly shown to the public. The number of Visitors from January 16th to March 31st, when the exhibition was closed was as follows:

Although this Exhibition was not financially successful, owing to the great expense incurred, yet the deficit was more than repaid by subscriptions from those whose interest was aroused, and who were for the first time made aware of the practical character of the Museum scheme. The successful arrangement of the collections displayed was in a great measure due to the kind assistance of Messrs. William S. Vaux, Joseph A. Clay, Edward S. Clark, and Dr. Francis W. Lewis, who also contributed largely from their private collections.

During this time, the authorities having in charge Memorial Hall, the Board of State Centennial Supervisors, appointed by the State, the City Councils, and the Fairmount Park Commissioners, formed a body of representatives each, known as the Directors of Memorial Hall. With this body this Corporation communicated, and a lease or license was signed, giving formal possession of Memorial Hall to the Museum, and stipulating that not more than 25 cents should be charged for entrance fee. If it should be found that this location should not prove best for the purposes of the Museum, the Trustees will depend upon the liberality of the Members and citizens to provide more central quarters in the future. The Centennial Board of Finance, with the fairness which distinguished all their actions, made over to this Corporation, upon its obtaining legal possession of Memorial Hall, a sum of money representing the amount necessary to repair the wear and tear during their occupancy. This sum was placed in the hands of Chairman of the Committee on Building, Mr. John Baird, who devoted his personal attention to the renovation of the building, removing the partitions in the large saloons [sic], and boarding from the walls. While these repairs were in progress, overtures were made by the International Exhibition Company, which had purchased the Main Exhibition Building, for a cooperation in some way between the Museum and that Company. Finally, they proposed, in consideration of certain rooms being given to them to place statuary and pictures in, and all the receipts taken at the entrance of Memorial Hall to revert to them, to pay this corporation the sum of $6,000 for one year, in quarterly installments, and in case of the Museum being kept open during the winter a sum of $2,000 additional.

An agreement was made to this effect, as it was thought at that time that the Company were responsible, and that it was best for the interests of the Museum to accept the terms offered rather than depend for support upon the entrance fees of such persons as might accidently visit the Museum, the communication with street cars being practically cut off by the Main Building. It is a subject of great regret to the Trustees to have to report that their expectations have been entirely disappointed, a small fraction only of the amount due having been paid. The matter reaching this point, the Solicitors of the Corporation have been instructed to bring proceedings against them to recover, if possible, the amount due.

The agreement having been signed, the Trustees have throughout fulfilled, in every respect, the part of the contract for which the Museum was responsible, and, in order to accommodate the Exhibition Company, every effort was made to open the collections on the 10th of May, 1877.

The material and show cases were removed from the Academy of the Fine Arts at the close of the Exhibition there, and, together with the other objects belonging to the Museum stored at Memorial Hall, were arranged in time for the opening day. The display made at that time was greatly increased by the arrival from London of a collection of English Pottery and Porcelain, loaned for one year by Messrs. A. B. Daniell & Sons; of French Pottery and Glass from Messrs. Londos & Co.; and of Spanish Glass and Pottery, loaned for one year by Signor Riano of Madrid. These loans were all negotiated and arranged by Mr. P. Cunliffe Owen, C. B., and with them arrived a collection of objects of Persian art, purchased for the Museum by him.

After the preliminary arrangements for the opening day, attention was given to the systematic distribution and classification of the collections, grouping together, so far as practicable, objects of similar character, and perfecting the plan of labelling, in order that visitors might be informed of the exact character of each object, and be enabled to study them more intelligently. During the summer a collection of Textile Fabrics and Embroideries, of great interest to manufacturers, with objects in wrought iron and stoneware from Germany, being purchases made in Europe, have been received and placed in their proper positions in the Museum. A number of very valuable articles have also been left as loans, among which may be mentioned a collection of the remains of the Lake Dwellers, deposited by Dr. F. W. Lewis; a piece of Beauvais tapestry by Mr. John McClure; an India carpet, by Mr. Ellis Yarnall; and an original vase by Chantry, owned by Mrs. Owen Wister.

The arrival during October of models, in cork, of Windsor Castle and the Tower of London, by Lloyd Hoppin, Esq., was an event of special interest. These valuable works were presented to the Museum by the following gentlemen: Messrs. George W. Childs, A. J. Drexel, J. Vaughan Merrick, James L. Claghorn, Charles W. Trotter, W. H. Merrick, J. Alfred Kay, Frederick Brown, Joel J. Bailly, Frederick Graeff, Lewis H. Redner, Evan Randolph, E. W. Clark, Ezra Bowen, F. A. Drexel, Edwin M. Lewis, and others.

The American Institute of Mining Engineers having made application to the Corporation for permission to place in the Museum their collections of Mining and Metallurgy, made at the Centennial Exhibition, space was accorded them, and the collections received on loan for an indefinite period. This material is of the greatest interest and value as bearing upon one of the most important industries of the State, and although not possessing any art character, is quite in keeping with two of the departments of the original Museum plan, that of the Raw Material collection, and of the collection illustrative of the Mechanic Arts.

The Act of Legislature appropriating money for building Memorial Hall, specifies that after the Centennial Exhibition it shall remain as a Museum of Industrial Art, and open forever to the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Trustees, therefore, did not believe that they had the right, under this Act, to close the Museum to the public on Sundays, and they are glad to report that from the date of taking possession the people, and especially the working people, whose time is occupied during the week, have visited the Museum in large numbers on the first day of the week.

The total number of visitors to the Museum from May 10th, 1877, to January 1st, 1878, was 147,113, and the total number of Sundays were:

The absence of any provisions of the United States tariff exempting from duty such objects as the Museum has, and is likely to import, gave to the Trustees considerable anxiety and labor in connection with those objects already purchased, but they are pleased to report, that through the courtesy of the officials at Washington they have been enabled to enter under the provisions of the Warehouse Act the articles purchased, and have also received the assurance of the Department that it will endorse the passage of a bill, which has been prepared, exempting from duty all that has been or may be purchased by the Museum. The Trustees urgently request the cooperation of the Members in this matter, so that there may be no difficulty in the future in importing examples of Industrial Art for the purposes of study.

In respect to the attitude of the State authorities to the Museum, the Trustees have taken occasion frequently to urge upon the attention of the Legislature and Executive, the existence and objects of the Museum, as involving a kind of education of vital interest to such a Commonwealth as Pennsylvania, and they are glad to report that they have met with great encouragement from both. His Excellency Governor Hartranft, in his annual message of last year, says as follows:

"I have heretofore earnestly pointed out the growing necessity for industrial art education. First, through the public schools by the introduction of mechanical and free hand drawing; secondly, by night schools for adults; and, thirdly, by special schools of industrial design for all classes. Museums, art galleries, and other public collections are also important forces in industrial education. Such institutions in England, France, Germany, and other European countries, are regarded as an essential element in national progress, and are mostly under the patronage of the government. Intelligence is becoming more and more a most important element in every department of industry. In this respect our educational system is wholly deficient. It turns out lawyers, doctors, preachers, and professional men in superabundance, while there is a startling dearth of intelligent farmers, manufacturers, miners, and mechanics. A few of the States have started forward in the cause of industrial education, by introducing drawing into their public schools, and providing museums and schools of design. The large and varied industries of Pennsylvania demand a similar liberality. The Centennial year has brought us the opportunity, and placed the materials for beginning at our disposal. The Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, modeled after the celebrated South Kensington Museum of London [now the Victoria & Albert Museum], has secured Memorial Hall, in which to form an art library; special collections, illustrative of industrial processes; and a thorough system of instruction in the arts of design as applied to manufactures, accompanied by general and technical lectures. In this they are about to place the nucleus of a collection gathered in the rich field of the Centennial Exposition, intended to promote the improvement of American industrial art. I trust these efforts will not escape your notice. Some means ought to be devised to make available the rich collection of the Geological Survey. And you will, no doubt, seriously consider whether, in the case of the Museum and Industrial School, the State ought not to extend a hand to place upon a firm foundation a work of so much public utility."

In his message for 1878, his Excellency repeats his views in even stronger language, as follows:

"It will, perhaps, be a slow and difficult task to secure the cooperation of the present generation of workingmen. But in all large cities and towns where that class is principally congregated, lecture and draughting rooms could be added to the night schools, and such instruction given as would interest and benefit adults. Everything that will tend to recognize the importance and dignity of labor; that will excite the pride and emulation of the artizan in his work; convince him of the interest of the State in his welfare and the welfare of his children, and secure the fruits of his industry and thrift, should be done; and I am convinced that nothing will contribute so much to these results as the establishment of industrial and scientific schools and workshops by the side of our present high schools and academies. Finally, the appreciation and demand of works of art and skill must keep pace with the capacity to create them. Museums, art galleries, and other public collections are also important factors in industrial education. Accordingly, I took occasion last year to recommend the arrangement, for public exhibition, of the specimens collected by the Geological Survey, and to suggest that you consider the advisability of extending State aid to the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art. The latter institution has, during the year, opened free schools of drawing and design, and as the State, if it decides to add industrial education to the public school system, will need competent teachers in these branches, this fact gives it additional claims to the recognition of the authorities. I venture to hope that this subject will early engage your labors, and that the public school system will receive a symmetrical development corresponding with the conditions of a highly industrial age, and the large and varied resources of Pennsylvania."

A bill was prepared by a sub-committee of the Board, and presented at the last session of the Legislature, but, with many others of like character, was not passed upon. A similar bill has been introduced into the present session, asking for an appropriation of $20,000 for 1878, and alike amount for 1879, $5,000 of which is for the annual maintenance of Memorial Hall, for the support of which there is no existing fund, and $15,000 for the Industrial Art Schools of the Museum. The interest of the Members and others is earnestly solicited in this matter, in order that the Museum may be so firmly established as to be in a measure independent of the support of individuals, and placed upon a basis worthy of the object for which it was created.

Having completed the installation of the collections in Memorial Hall, the attention of the Board was given to the second subject involved in the original scheme of the Museum, as expressed in the charter of the Corporation, viz.: "to provide means of instruction in Drawing, Painting, Modelling, Designing, etc., through practical Schools, Lectures, and otherwise."

At the stated meeting of the Executive Committee held August 13th, 1877, the Standing Committee on Instruction were requested to submit a plan for the organization of the Schools, and a report was presented by that Committee in October. This report recommended a plan of instruction similar in its main features to the one now in operation, and was adopted by the Executive Committee, who, at the same time, gave to the Committee on Instruction authority to carry it out as soon as the means of the Corporation would permit. To this end an appeal was issued, setting forth the importance of utilizing the valuable collection in the Museum by supplementing what had been done by instruction in the principles of the application of Art to Industry, and asking special subscriptions to the fund for the support of the Schools. The Committee felt sufficiently encouraged by the response to their appeal, to immediately undertake the organization of the scheme. A suitable building, No. 312 North Broad Street, was selected as the location, and, after a short time, was fitted for the use of the School. Advertisement was made that applicants of either sex, over fifteen years of age, would be received for examination, and notice given that there would be nor charge for tuition, but that students admitted would provide their own stationery and instruments.

A standard of examination was adopted that required some knowledge of the rudiments of drawing on the part of the applicant. Out of about two hundred applying, one hundred were chosen as being proficient, and where they showed equal ability preference was given to those engaged in the Art Industries, and to those who desired to gain instruction as a means of livelihood. On the 10th of December the examinations began, and on the 17th the Schools opened with one hundred students, Fifty in the morning and Fifty in the evening classes, that number being the maximum that could be accommodated. The applications of those who could not be admitted on account of want of room, are on file and will be taken up in the order of their date and proficiency. The Committee selected Mr. Charles M. Burns, Jr., as instructor in the Artistic division of the course, and Mr. Philip Pistor in the Scientific branches, with Dr. J. T. Rothrock as Lecturer on Botany as applied to Decorative Art, and Mr. George Herzog as Lecturer on Historic Ornament.

The course consists of instruction in drawing, both with instruments and freehand, the former covering the ground of plane and descriptive geometry, and also free perspective, and the latter involving manipulation with the pencil, charcoal or brush, from study of natural objects, casts, architectural details, and objects from the Museum collections as models. A study of color, and its application and disposition in design, will be taken up as the classes advance, together with the preparation of original designs applicable to industrial purposes.

Without proposing anything novel in the instruction given in the Schools, it is intended to insist upon a thorough training by means of the course, in order that those taking advantage ofit may be well grounded in the principles underlying what is known as design, depending upon the individual ability of the students to develop into designers, but giving them the foundation upon which this much desired superstructure may be raised. With this view the rules and regulations have been composed, strictly and positively placing before the students the fact that it depends upon their own efforts as much as upon those of the Instructors, whether they succeed or not in the future, and so arranged as to prevent the classes being filled with incompetent or careless students.

* [Extract from a Report of the Advisory Committee.] "With the beginning of the year a School of Art Needlework was established, a teacher in its various branches having been engaged for two trial months. Although only in its infancy, this School has aroused sufficient interest to encourage hopes that it will, at no very distant day, prove a valuable instrument, not only in furthering the aims of the Museum by improving the taste of our people, but by providing with a means of support many women who are ready to accept the needle as their only legitimate weapon in the struggle for existence. To these classes are admitted only those who look to this Instruction in Art Needlework as an aid to future independence, and Six Classes of Eight pupils each were at once filled. By a rigid censorship, as well of the designs employed in this branch of Art as of the execution of the work attempted here, those in charge of this School hope to establish its success as a model of its kind." To meet the great demand for this kind of instruction among persons of means, classes have been formed of pay pupils, so arranged as not to interfere with the free tuition afforded others unable to bear that expense. The following women have kindly consented to act as an advisory committee:

Mrs. Caspar Wister, Mrs. Thomas A. Scott, Mrs. J. Dundas Lippincott, Mrs. Fairman Rogers, Mrs. Thomas Hockley, Mrs. Charles Henry Hart, Mrs. F. R. Shelton, Mrs. Atherton Blight, Miss Laura T. Merrick, Miss Emilie D. Wagner, and Miss Mary Read Fisher.

The progress of all the classes of the Museum since they began, December 17th, has been very satisfactory. The students are attentive, punctual, and painstaking in their work, and have already, in several marked cases, shown evidences of latent ability.

It must be understood that the Schools as now arranged are but a beginning, which, as time goes on, will be amplified and extended. If time is given for the plan to develop, and for the School to make its own experience, there can be no doubt that the results will be of great value to the community; but those of its friends who have not the patience to wait, but fall into the popular error of expecting some immediate results, may possibly be discouraged. The Trustees would call the attention of those who may hold to these views, to the wretched character of that so-called ornamental work turned out in the quick and easy style, which disfigures so many of our manufactured objects of really good material, and urge upon their attention the necessity of some reform, and the fact that it cannot be brought about at once.

The report of the Treasurer will be found annexed, from which can be seen the amount of the receipts and expenditures. It has been the constant effort of the Trustees to use every economy consistent with the requirements of the Museum, and they believe that no unnecessary expenditures have been made.

To those who have by their means, by their active assistance and by their good wishes, aided the work of the Museum, the Trustees extend their sincere thanks, and especially to the Press of the City, who have so warmly endorsed the scheme from its birth, and so greatly aided in making it known to the public.

With a large and influential membership, with a collection unequalled, in many respects, by any in this country, with Schools in full operation, the Trustees feel that they have just cause to congratulate the Members upon what has been done, at the same time reminding them that upon their continued interest and that of the public, the future success of the Museum depends.

By order of the Board of Trustees,

H. DUMONT WAGNER,

Secretary.

[followed by a floor plan of Memorial Hall; Treasurer's Statement and Balance Sheet; and List of Subscribers to the Fund for Establishing The Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, to November 30, 1877]

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