The Chicago Academy of Sciences. 21 



was the annual meeting of that year on January 28. 

 During the month of December, 1867, the collec- 

 tions which had accumulated since the fire of June 

 7 were removed from the old quarters in the Metro- 

 politan block and placed in the new museum. 



The supposed fireproof character of its new home, 

 which was unique at that time in the construction of 

 museum buildings, led many institutions, as well as 

 private individuals, to send large and valuable collec- 

 tions to the Academy. This was especially true of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



During the year 1868 many specimens were received 

 from the Bishoff expedition, and some, including birds 

 and plants, from the Kennicott expedition of two years 

 before. Previous to this time the museum had been 

 opened only to members of the Academy, students of 

 natural history and invited guests; but numerous 

 requests were received, asking permission to visit the 

 collections. It became evident that the general public 

 was interested; and on November 9, 1869, the following 

 resolution was adopted by the board of trustees: 



Resolved, That the museum of the Academy, 

 located in their building, be opened to the public every 

 Saturday from 9 o'clock A. M. to 5 o'clock P. M. On 

 other week days members of the Academy, students of 

 the natural sciences and strangers in the city will be 

 admitted upon application to the secretary of the 

 building. 



This step tended to popularize the Academy, and 

 was thoroughly appreciated by the public. It was the 

 stepping stone to a greater freedom and a more gen- 

 eral invitation to all to visit the museum, and finally 

 resulted. in throwing open the doors every day in the 

 year, and all comers were admitted without charge. 

 This rule holds to-day, and must continue in force so 

 long as the Academy has a home in Lincoln Park. 



Appreciating that the title, "Academy of Sciences," 

 was a broad one, and that in the limited number of 

 meetings possible in each year time would not permit 



