November 15, 1933
That education in the public schools of our city is both modern and progressive is demonstrated most dramatically by an exhibition now being held at the Brooklyn Museum, Eastern Parkway. This exhibition called “New York City, Past and Present” is the work of the schools in districts twenty-six and twenty-eight Brooklyn, Mr. Frank J. Arnold, distinct superintendent. It will be on view until November 26th.
The Lafayette School in New Orleans sent an exhibition of projects to P.S. #124 last spring, showing typical scenes, industries and festivals of that city. The New York exhibit grew out of a desire to reciprocate and centers around an imaginary trip of a New Orleans school child to our metropolis. Is shows New York history from the days of the Indians to the present time, and everything in the city that would interest an out-of-town visitor. The work is in the form of pictorial illustrations, three dimensional projects, relief maps, charts, and booklets. All the work was done by children from the 1st grade classes through the 9th year and necessitated considerable study and research.
Of particular interest are large frieze showing the Brooklyn Anniversary Day parade, a series of panels showing our subways, elevated railroads, bridges and harbor, charts of clipping and drawings giving interesting information about the Navy Yard, amusing and colorful projects of Coney Island and the Zoo. Among the three dimensional projects are a model of the bird house at the Bronx Zoo, showing native birds, May Day at Prospect Park with the maypoles and many little dancers a model of the Holland Tunnel, the New York water system from the Catskill Mountain streams to a modern kitchen, and New York City itself from the days of Indian habitation to our latest colossal architectural feat. Radio City.
This is truly progressive education and the type of instruction that makes a lasting impression. Laymen as well as educators should see the exhibition and know what our schools are doing.
Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1916 - 1930. 10-12_1933, 092-3. View Original
