THE 



NATURAL HISTORY 



The Corporation consists of a self -perpetuating Board of 

 twenty-five Trustees, elected for terms of five years. Also, ex- 

 officio, The Mayor of the City of New York, The Comptroller 

 of the City of New York, and the President of the Department 

 of Parks. 



HISTORY 



1869-1872 Presidency of John David Wolfe. 

 1869 (April 6) Museum incorporated. 



1869 (May 4) Constitution adopted precisely as originally 



drafted by Joseph H. Choate. 



1870 First home secured, the Arsenal, Central Park. 

 1872-1881 Presidency of Robert L. Stuart. 



1874 (June 2) Cornerstone of present building laid by Presi- 

 dent Ulysses S. Grant. 



1878 (January 30) Contract between Trustees and Department 

 of Parks, as drawn up by Messrs. Andrew H. 

 Green and Joseph H. Choate, adopted by the Park 

 Commissioners. 



1881-1908 Presidency of Morris K. Jesup. 



1893 Museum opened to the public on Sundays. 



1908- Presidency of Henry Fairfield Osborn. 



1908 Constitution amended making 



The Mayor of the City of New York, 

 The Comptroller of the City of New York, 

 The President of the Department of Public Parks, 

 ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees. 



1921 Greater New York Charter amended, placing the Museum 

 on the same basis as schools with respect to Cor- 

 porate Stock Appropriations, by Chapter 618 of the 

 Laws of 1921. 



THE PRESIDENTS 



John David Wolfe , 1869-1872 



Robert L. Stuart 1872-1881 



Morris Ketchum Jesup 1881-1908 



Henry Fairfield Osborn 1908- 



