Part Vil. 1957-1971: Oak Knoll 
Park, The Museum Of Science And 
Natural History, And The Zoo- 
Museum District 
eC eee ow Lindell mw een _ Academy i sila an — 
pi He suggested 
— Campbell im- 
iately ord Lee Morton ar ' 
In the months that followed, Morton spearheaded an evaluation 
of the structures in what became known as Oak Knoll Park with an eye 
toward using one or both of the structures as a museum and headquarters. 
The buildings seemed suitable and the Academy began negotiating with 
the City of Clayton. Early in 1958 the Academy accepted a proposal 
the city put forth that enumerated several conditions placed on its oc- 
cupancy of the buildings. These conditions stipulated that the Academy 
would assume the cost of maintaining the buildings and also carry fire 
and liability insurance. The arrangement seemed very agreeable. The 
rent was only $1 per annum and Clayton agreed to take care of the 
grounds and to provide for public parking.” 
Throughout the spring and summer of 1958, the Academy made 
plans for the houses in Oak Knoll. In October it hired Murl Deusing 
as Museum Director and Sally J. Orchard as Museum Curator.’ Both 
of these individuals were museum professionals. Deusing left a posi- 
tion at the Milwaukee Public Museum and Orchard moved to Oak Knoll 
from the Missouri Historical Society. Deusing and Orchard promptly 
set about moving and organizing the collections and developing educa- 
55 
