Brookline School's Show Includes Relics Of Other Wars

Pupils are getting so much fun out of their new museum at the Brookline school that it has become in incentive for better classroom work, according to Robert V. Cresswell, principal.

On a corner table is a pair of tiny flintlock pistols, vest-pocket size.

"That's the kind that were carried by sailors in boarding ships in 1812." said Arthur Rosfeld, assistant curator of the seventh grade. "They were used by pirates, too. They swing on ropes when boarding a ship, and would fire these pistols in the face of the enemy. I've been looking up about pirates."

Bob Sallin, of Bellaire Avenue, another Brookline pupil, brought a bayonet for the museum. It was used in the Franco-Prussian War, which aroused interest in another page of history.

Don't think the girls aren't interested in the display of military arms. Ann Curtus, in the fourth grade, found a sword in the attic of her home. She brought it to school, the blade as tall as she.

Many of the exhibits have been found by pupils in their homes. That's part of the fun. From attic to cellar they have rummaged for something that can be placed in the museum. The curios can be taken home when the school year is ended.

Mr. Cresswell said the new museum is used as a source of study incentive by many teachers of the school.

A relic from Sudan helps arouse interest in the history and geography of Africa. Many objects call attention to the habits and customs of the people in many lands, thereby building up interest in social studies, Mr. Cresswell pointed out.

The art teacher sends for mounted birds obtained from the traveling exhibits furnished by Carnegie Museum, and these are sketched by the art class.

English teachers, instead of telling pupils to write essays on "just anything," now tell them to write about something in the museum.

Pupils of the school run the museum. William Phillippe, of the eighth grade, of 2409 Pioneer Avenue, is the curator. He was a student in the science class at Carnegie Museum. Arthur Rosfeld, of 2414 Beaufort Avenue, is assistant curator. To guard and explain the exhibits there is a corps of boys: Donald Johnston, Edwin Selwig, Dick Prestia, Ralph Greb, Wayne Dahlinger and Paul Comrad. The museum, which occupies an entire classroom on the main floor, is open for twenty minutes in the morning, and fifteen minutes at noon.

* Copied from the Pittsburgh Press - November 7, 1943 *