The Chicago Academy of Sciences. 15 



death of Mr. Kennicott. These two were the only 

 persons who have been elected to this high office. 



The period from 1865 to 1871 was one of notable 

 prosperity and success. During- 1865 Dr. Stimpson 

 twice visited Washington to select specimens at the 

 Smithsonian Institution, and succeeded in obtaining 

 very large collections in nearly all the branches of 

 natural history. He also added largely from his private 

 collections. 



WILLIAM STLMPSOX. 



In October of that year it became evident to the 

 board of trustees that they would soon have to provide 

 more ample accommodations for the collections, which 

 were being rapidly enlarged. 



In December the trustees purchased ground at 

 Thirtieth street, fronting on both Indiana and Prairie 

 avenues. The depth of this lot on each of the avenues 

 was 130 feet. At this time this area could be obtained 

 at the very low figure of $35 a front foot, and it was 

 thought that this would prove a good investment. It 



