410 KEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



IV.— CHICAGO. « 



Chicago, on the sliore of Lake Michigan, is the metropolis of the 

 State of Illinois, which, with a population of 4,800,000, ranks as the 

 third largest State in the United States. In 1890 Chicago numbered 

 1,700,000 inhabitants, a population surpassed b^^ but one city in the 

 entire country. In 1837 the place was still in the midst of a marsh, 

 with only 4,000 residents. In 1871, when the population had grown 

 to 300,000, the city was almost blotted out by tire, so that we might 

 be justitied in dating its real foundation from that time. 



Its architecture exhibits more evidence of an American national 

 style than is seen in the other great cities of the eastern part of the 

 country. In originality, in youthful vigor, and in the astonishing 

 rapidity of its development Chicago excels all, with the prospect of a 

 yet greater future. The motto "I will" is often found on the alle- 

 gorical tigure of the city, and the words appear to me most suitable 

 to indicate the energetic, aspiring character of its citizens. 



9. FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM. 



The Field Colum])ian Museum is a private association, established 

 in August, 181>3, during the World's Columbian Exposition, under the 

 name of the "Columbian Museum of Chicago" for "art, archaeology, 

 science, and history."''' In June, 1894, it was rechristened in honor of 

 Mr. Marshall Field, of the immense wholesale and retail establish- 

 ment of Marshall Field & Co., who, immediately after its foundation, 

 presented to the uniseum $1,000,000, on the condition that a sum equal 

 to half that amount should be given b}' others. This condition was 

 fulfilled within a few weeks by the generosity of some 1,200 persons, 

 who subscribed from $1 to $100,000 each. A fund amounting to about 

 $250,000 from these gifts is invested. 



The chiefs of the different departments of the Columbian Exposi- 

 tion, especially those of mining, metallurgy, anthropology (in its 

 widest sense), and transportation, had sought, in accordance with a 

 plan devised as long ago as 1891, to bring together materials for a 

 permanent museum. In this enterprise Prof. F. W. Putnam, now of 

 the Peabody Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was especiall}" 

 active, and at the breaking up of the exposition there was a most 

 favorable opportunity for obtaining all kinds of collections. '-' This 



"Comprising Part II of Uber Museen des Ostens der Vereinigten Staaten von 

 Anierika, l)y Dr. A. B. Meyer. 



''The corporation was especially founded "for the accumulation and dissemination 

 of knowledge and the preservation and exhibition of objects illustrating art, archie- 

 ology, science, and history." 



e For instance, there were bought, at the close of the exposition, the collections of 

 Paraguay, Peru, Java, and Samoa, as well as those of the dealers in natural history, 

 Hagenbeck, of Hamburg, and Ward, of Rochester, New York, the last costing 

 $100,000. Large collections were given l)y Russia, .Japan, Corea, Ceylon, .Siaui, 

 British India, Mexico, Central America, and all the States of South America. 



