ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 



1920 



To the Trustees of Field Museum of Natural History: 



I have the honor to present a report of the operations of the Museum 

 for the year ending December 31, 1920. 



In every respect the year just closed must be considered as the most 

 important and momentous in the history of the organization. The 

 completion of the New Building, with the exception of the terrace, 

 approximately five years from the date when construction operations 

 were inaugurated, and its occupancy are two factors which make the 

 period not alone noteworthy, but also establish a new epoch in the 

 dissemination of scientific knowledge. The Building may be said to 

 have been completed on or about June i, 1920, but the transfer by rail 

 of the collections and equipment commenced on the 26th day of April 

 and was practically concluded by June 4th. The actual moving op- 

 erations by railroad thus consiuned thirty-four working days. The 

 plans for moving and the organization for carrying on the task had 

 been given careful consideration before work was begun and it is a 

 matter of congratulation that the undertaking was carried through 

 to its consummation without an untoward ocourence of any nature 

 and without serious damage to the material transported. As it was 

 thought advisable to move the heavier objects by motor trucks, this 

 method of transfer was inaugurated early in March and continued 

 with few interruptions daily until the beginning of September. In all 

 354 loads were handled in this manner and these were carried with the 

 same satisfactory result as the loads transported by railroad. As soon 

 as moving operations were concluded, installation was immediately 

 undertaken as reviewed elsewhere in this report. It may be said at this 

 date that fully one-third of the exhibition cases in the Museimi have 

 been finally placed, reinstalled and in a great many instances entirely 

 relabeled. There is every indication that the entire exhibition area will 

 be completely installed on or about the first of May 192 1, when it is 

 intended that the Museimi shall be re-opened to the public. 



Dtiring the year the President of the Museiun, Mr. Stanley Field, 

 contributed the sum of $100,000.00 toward the deficit in the New 



375 



