in the mounds of southeastern Missouri, in northern Arkansas and 
in Illinois and considerable pottery and crania were obtained. In 1900 
the Academy purchased the Yandell collection of palaeontological 
specimens rich in crinoids of the Devonian Age, containing many orig- 
inal type specimens. In 1901 Mrs. William L. Bouton donated a col- 
lection of 635 butterflies, mostly tropical, preserved in Denton mounts. 
Efforts were again made to acquire some kind of a building to 
house its collections. In 1903 the Academy acquired as a gift from 
Mrs. William McMillan and her son, William Northrop McMillan, a 
building located at 3817 Olive street. This building had been 
originally built for Phillips School, a private school, and seemed 
adequately adapted to its needs. Now for the first tinue of its nearly 
fifty years of existence the Academy owned its own home and speci- 
mens and books were again brought out of storage and housed in the 
new building. The Academy was now in its heyday, the future never 
appeared more promising and in 1906 celebrated its 50th anniversary 
with a banquet and much speech making. A bronze medal, featuring 
the portrait of Dr. Engelmann on the obverse and its seal on the 
reverse was distributed to all the guests present. 
own 
ror a number of years. With the advent of World War I interest agam 
lagged and, in 1917, the Academy was forced, for lack of funds, to 
again store its collections and close the doors of its building. The 
hbrary, which had now grown to about 50,000 volumes, was deposited 
^itb the St. Louis Public Library for safekeeping. Again the Academy 
settled down to holding meetings, usually in Washington University 
and the publication of its Transactions. 
AN INTERVAL OF EVENTS 
AJ\ lINlliKVAL, Uf JiV£.iMio 
However, enthusiasm for a natural history museum would not be 
stilled. In 1917 a group of naturalists and other interested persons 
organized 
stir 
until 
furth 
interest. This organization functioned for about five years 
1 1922, it turned its assets and good will over to the Academy 
inue the cause. Tntpmst however, again lagged and nothmg 
The 
led 
^aUiral History, was formed and again the pubhc was appe 
^ by means of lectures and news items. Financial support, *^«w^;^^' 
^as not forthcoming, and in 1934 this organization also tarned to tne 
^^^demy to continue the work. Now the Council of the Academy 
13 
