Date: Fri 08-May-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

HighMarks

Full Text:

High Marks

w/cuts

By Louis Santucci

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Over the past 30 years, Richard Lodish, principal of The

Sidwell Friends Lower School, has amassed a spectacular collection of more

than 500 mostly Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century objects related to grade

school life. He decided to exhibit a large representation of his assemblage at

the school's campus on March 16.

Every aspect of the show was enlightening, providing a better insight into the

role and development of the educational process from its earliest days to

relatively modern times.

Lodish began his collection with the purchase of a simple alphabet board. He

now has more than 75 such boards and is always on the lookout for more. The

boards date from 1880 to 1920, and it appears that their two main

manufacturers were Foxy Toys and Cress. With their vibrant colors and

different shapes, they made for a striking display.

When asked to name his favorite object, Lodish did not hesitate for a moment,

pointing to a beautifully executed silk thread map of the world. Other

needlework by young girls on view ranged from naive samplers to a most unusual

quilt, one with all the letters of the alphabet, including the letter S, sewn

in two places backwards.

Dated 1896 and made by Elva Smith, the quilt is quite a visual masterpiece of

design, particularly if, as surmised, it was executed when Smith was quite

young. Her use of alternating letters and plain blocks with bright yellow

stars show a design instinct well beyond the years of the maker.

Among the samplers was a crooked example featuring a school house that said

simply: "Prudence Deal is my name with this needle I stitched the same Age 9."

School doorknobs were artfully arranged on a board and included quite lavishly

designed examples from New York City, Chicago, Newark and Reading. One showed

a teacher and pupil at their desks.

Among the most amusing items was a pair of paintings created by different

artists at different times of the same subject: a schoolroom with a dunce.

Shown among the variety of students was a boy tied in a wheelbarrow, a boy

smoking in the back of the room, and other scenes of mayhem. The rules on the

board were also different in each painting. One could study the subject for

hours to note the similarities and differences. Lodish has several versions of

these paintings and would like to find out more about their history.

A set of Froebel kindergarten blocks were artfully arranged as if spilling out

of the cover of Norman Brosterman's book Inventing Kindergarten , in which,

Lodish explained, Brosterman relates how Frank Lloyd Wright's mother

recognizes her son's interest in architecture from his fondness for these

blocks.

Several large wall lithographs used to teach children how to read were

sprinkled throughout the show. A favorite was a depiction of the "Bye Bye

Bunting" rhyme by Mary Louise Spir in 1912.

Lodish is sharp witted, with a mirthful outlook -- in sharp contrast to some

of the educators depicted with caning instruments and stern looks in several

of his displays. With a twinkle in his eyes, he proudly displayed his

third-grade report card from 1954, which stated in bold handwriting:

"How disappointed we are in Richard's inability to mature. He not only spoils

his own work, but makes it hard for his friends to do their best. If Richard

would try to help others, even one day, I believe he would enjoy it enough to

make it a habit."