CHAPTER 213. 



AN ACT to provide for enlarging the building situated in Central Park, in the 

 City of New" York, and occupied by the American Museum of Natural 

 History, for the purpose of furnishing proper facilities for increased exhibi- 

 tion and public instruction. 



Accepted by the city. 



Became a law April 7, 1897, with the approval of the Governor. Passed, three- 

 fifths being present. 



The People of the Stale of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, 

 do enact as follows : 



Section i. The department of public parks in the city of New York, with 

 the concurrence of the board of estimate and apportionment, is hereby author- 

 ized to erect and equip additions to the building situated in that part of Central 

 Park formerly known as Manhattan square, and which is now in the possession 

 and occupation of the American Museum of Natural History, under and in 

 accordance with the contract made in pursuance of chapter one hundred and 

 thirty-nine of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-six, chapter two hundred 

 and seventy of the laws of eighteen hundred and ninety-two, chapter thirty-one 

 of the laws of eighteen hundred and ninety-three, and chapter one hundred and 

 seventy-five of the laws of eighteen hundred and ninety-six. Such additions 

 shall be so constructed as to provide for the suitable display of the specimens of 

 the museum, and may also include a lecture hall. The trustees of said museum 

 shall select the architects to prepare, under their direction, the plans, and to 

 superintend, under the direction of the department of public parks, the construc- 

 tion of said additions. Said plans, when completed, shall be submitted by said 

 trustees to the said department for its approval, and may include any additions 

 to or alterations of the present building made necessary by the aforesaid enlarge- 

 ments, and such additions, alterations, improvements and repairs to it as the 

 said department and the trustees of said museum may agree are proper and 

 necessary. The said department shall provide for the compensation of the 

 architects out of the fund hereby provided for the erection of said additions. 

 Said equipment shall include all the cases and fittings and other apparatus 

 required for the preparation, exhibition and preservation of the specimens, 

 books and other property of the museum. 



§ 2. For the purpose of providing means for carrying into effect the provi- 

 sions of this act, it shall be the duty of the comptroller, upon being thereunto 

 authorized by the board of estimate and apportionment, to issue and sell, but 

 at not less than their par value, bonds or stocks of the mayor, aldermen and 

 commonalty of the city of New York, in the manner now provided by law, 

 payable from taxation, but not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of five hun- 

 dred thousand dollars, bearing interest at a rate not exceeding four per centum 

 per annum, and redeemable within a period of time not exceeding thirty years 

 from the date of their issue. 



§ 3. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are 

 hereby repealed. 



§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately. 



