IN CELEBRATING the Bicentennial of the University we are also marking with pride the fifty-second year of the existence of our great University Museum. For more than half a century it has been dedicated to extensive research in the history of man’s rise from barbarity to civilization. From small beginnings it has developed into one of the leading research organizations in the land. Distinguished scientists have labored in its behalf. There have been assembled from every corner of the earth archaeological and ethnological collections of great importance and inestimable significance to the community, to the nation and to the scientific world. Its publications are noted in all learned circles.
Upon this two hundredth anniversary, it is, therefore, fitting to call to mind the extent to which its Museum has contributed to the distinction and prestige of the University of Pennsylvania.
President.
AFTER forty-two years of indefatigable service to the Museum, Jane M. McHugh presented her resignation as Secretary to the Board of Managers at its meeting in June. To say that it was accepted with reluctance would be an understatement: it was accepted with unanimous feelings of the deepest regret. As a recognition of her valued years of accomplishment on behalf of the Museum, the post of Secretary Emeritus was created and Miss McHugh’s election to it was unanimous.
Miss McHugh’s length of devotion to the University Museum scarcely finds a parallel in museum circles. She came to it in its earliest formative period; she watched-and with her constant wisdom, aided-its development. She was the right hand of those who guided it: Mrs. Cornelius Stevenson, Dr. William Pepper, Mr. Eckley Coxe, Dr. Gordon and Mr. Harrison would be among the many to attest-as does the present Board and the present staff-to her unusual administrative abilities. It is hard to imagine that the institution could possibly have achieved its present standing without her undeviating purpose to see that its public usefulness and its scientific standards were maintained.
When decades of a lifetime have been dedicated to any cause, the inclination is to stress the length of service. In this instance it is quite out of place: it was the quality of Miss McHugh’s career that merits the deepest admiration.
J. S. J.