Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of examples of public school students' work that was collected for an exhibit at the 1893 the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The exhibit was sponsored by the State Council of School Superintendents of the State of New York. In October 1893 the Council transferred the exhibit materials to the Department of Public Instruction "to be used as a nucleus for a permanent State exhibit of public school work."

The examples of work are pasted into large portfolios (24" x 30"). The samples came from three public school systems: New York City, Buffalo, and Plattsburgh. Each sample gives the date and student's name. The subjects represented include: enlarged copy (drawing); original design (pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, cut and folded papers); language; map and freehand drawing; music; arithmetic; natural history; national flag; and cutting and sewing. Other items included are: 2 large (22" x 28") mounted photographs of New York City school buildings; one volume of display items (e.g. pamphlets, photographs, diploma) from the Van Norman Institute, New York City; and one volume of art work from the Ville de Limoges, Ecole Professionelle.