Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

by Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

These exhibits comprised first and chiefly the work of pupils; second, photographs and models illustrating school architecture, school appliances, and school life; third, statistical charts and reports pertaining to the administrative work of school systems.

The great bulk of the material in these exhibits belonged to the first of the three divisions specified above. Since very nearly three-fourths of the teachers in the public elementary schools of the United States are women, it is obvious that the greater proportion of the pupils' work exhibited was the direct outcome of the efforts of women teachers.

In the South Atlantic and South Central divisions of our country the proportion of women teachers is much smaller than in the whole country; in the divisions named they form only a little more than one-half the whole teaching force, but so far as they were represented no difference was made between the work of men and women as exhibited in the section here considered, nor was there any difference in the mode of estimating the work.

The second class of material mentioned, i.e., photographic views and models, was largely the work of experts, artists, and craftsmen employed for the purpose. It would be impossible to determine the relative proportion of men and women contributing, although it is probable that the former were in excess. It should be observed, however, that many very interesting devices for teaching children, many suggestive modifications of kindergarten material and exercises, and many excellent photographs showing classes at work, were executed by women. The great skill and admirable system attained by women teachers in the preparation of material for teaching the sciences to children were illustrated in a very graphic manner by the exhibits of normal schools, such as those of Massachusetts and the State Normal School of Rhode Island.

The third class of material named, i.e., that pertaining to school administration—chiefly in the form of statistical charts and reports—was the work of school superintendents and their clerical force, in which branch of the school service comparatively few women are engaged.

The mode of installation formed a striking feature in the case of many of the systems of public schools exhibited at St. Louis. The highest results were achieved where the plan of the exhibit had been carefully worked out with full regard to aesthetic effect and educational significance. In the formation of these plans women had very largely participated, and in one instance, namely, that of the Minnesota educational exhibit, the entire installation was planned and carried to a successful completion by a woman. This exhibit was ranked in the first class for the unity of its plan, the completeness with which it set forth the educational provision in every part of the State, and its aesthetic finish. In judging of exhibits, the person who planned and organized the exhibit was regarded as a collaborator, and to Miss S.E. Sirwell, the collaborator in this instance, the highest award allowable was adjudged by the jury of group 1, a distinction which was conferred upon very few individuals.

The exhibit of the public school system of the city of St. Louis, which was universally admired, owed its chief decorative effect to the artistic skill of Miss M.R. Garesché, who composed and executed a series of 16 transparent paintings representing a history of education. These pictures formed a succession of brilliant panels on the external side of the façade, and for this unique work a gold medal was awarded to Miss Garesché.

Mention should also be made of a very interesting series of paintings by Miss Florence Hedleston, of Oxford, Miss., representing all the wild flowers of that State, an exhibit which excited much attention both for its artistic excellence and its usefulness in teaching the native flora.

The exhibit of New York City afforded many striking examples of the ingenuity and progressive spirit of women teachers. The public school system of this city has had marked development on what may be called the sociologic or philanthropic side, and in this development, which was graphically illustrated in the educational exhibit, women teachers have borne a very important part. It is, however, impossible here to particularize as to their work in this respect.

The external side of the New York City booth in the Education Building was utilized for the exhibit of the Woman's School of Design. The exhibit consisted of a remarkable collection of original designs which, with one or two exceptions, were purchased by manufacturing firms as they stood on the wall. Although this work did not come within the scope of the jury of group 1, I mention it here to emphasize the fact that the exhibits of art schools in the Education Building showed very remarkable progress on the part of women in the art of designing.