Art and Handcraft in the Woman's Building
of the World's Columbian Exposition

in the woman’s building. 287 museum now exists in the Woman’s Building, and a growing desire that out of it may grow a permanent building which may serve the men and women of our country as the Kensington Museum serves the English. It is still too early to speak definitely of this idea which is shaping itself in the public mind, but there are many who believe that the Woman’s Building is the corner-stone of a new and splendid edifice; if it has been laid true, and firm, and square, the hundreds of women who have labored for it will feel that their efforts are well repaid. In the Government Building one of the most valuable exhibits is a collection of coins of all nations and ages. It contains beauti- ful Greek and Roman coins, and picturesque oriental pieces of money; but in all the rich display there is not one bit of gold or silver that interests us as profoundly as the tiny bit of metal known as the “Widow’s Mite.” If every woman who has learned some- thing or enjoyed somewhat through the means of the building will contribute her mite, the thank-offering will raise and equip the permanent building in a manner worthy of the cause to which it will be devoted. The Editor. The limits of this volume have made it impossible to mention anything outside of the Woman’s Building, and, owing to unavoidable delays, much that is valuable and interesting in the building itself was made ready at too late a day to receive mention here; thus New York’s fine “Loan Collection” in the Woman’s Building, while arranged at an early day, was classified at too late a day to receive the mention it deserves in our book. Attention is called to the colonial loan collections of the thirteen, original States, made under the direction of the Board of Lady Managers, in the rotunda of the Government Building. These contain articles of priceless value and interest. In the northeast corner of the gallery in the Liberal Arts Building a space is devoted to woman’s work. Here may be seen a stained glass memorial window by Mary Tillinghast, very beautiful in color and tender in sentiment. Miss C. E. Scott exhibits a collection of china and embroidery which should be visited by all persons who are interested in these branches of decorative art. Annie Leota Way exhibits some clever designs, and a well-constructed relief map of Palestine, and Ella Cogswell Ripley shows some excellent designs for wall papers. These are but a few of the inter- esting features of this department. This section of the Liberal Arts Building is under the direction of Mrs. Rosine Ryan.—Ed.