Page:Final Report of the Northwest Territory Celebration Commission.pdf/18

 now too late for extension of this contest, and even if it were extended, we have but small faith that its results would be materially improved.

All in all, it may be surmised that the experience of this Commission with school contests was very disappointing in some of its phases.

To anyone or any agency contemplating reaching school children and college students we would say to find some other means or method.

Perhaps the trouble was in the plan or promotion material, but this was gone over with, and was really designed by, school authorities before it was approved and sent out, and college history teachers find no post-contest fault with it.

From the experience with school people as to the textbook and the contests, we conclude that school teachers and administrators are grooved to curricular texts and have little time or inclination for anything not specifically required in their courses of study—regardless of its merit or the incentive offered.

A series of small prizes totalling $100 in cash were offered to ee Schools' school year books employing a Northwest Territory motif.

This contest produced 15 contestants, almost all of which are very creditable, some very exceptional, in their art and copy treatment.

In order to contribute permanently to the literature of American history, and to carry much further the premise which resulted in the textbook before described, the Commission offered an honorarium of $1,000 to any adult scholar in the United States for the best new standard text or reference work on the Northwest Territory period.

Ten manuscripts were submitted. The entries were nationwide. The committee of judges was nominated by the American Historical Association, and the award was made to Dr. B. Pershing of Wittenberg College. Springfield. Ohio. Honorable mention were given to A. L. Kohlmeier and Logan Esary.

While the commission made no plans for subsidized publication, steps are now being taken to have this work appear in standard form.

While such a contest was contemplated originally, it was necessary to cancel this portion of the plan when it became necessary for the commission to entirely finance the caravan from its own funds.

However, the general and almost universal practice in towns where the caravan appeared, was for several or many of the leading merchants to decorate their windows especially for the occasion.

Heirlooms of colonial times and which were apparently unknown to their communities appeared on display, and a great many unique expressions of the window trimming art were brought out.

While the Federal Commission did not establish direct contact with stores in this regard, the local committees did a splendid job,