37 



this stage in their enterprise, the Trustees, being thus able to furnish 

 a substantial guarantee of their earnest determination to accomplish 

 what they had taken in hand, turned in their hour of need to the 

 Commissioners of the Central Park, who by their uniform devotion to 

 the trusts committed to their care had done so much to advance the 

 welfare and the pleasure of their fellow citizens, and proposed to deposit 

 their collections, for safe keeping and exhibition, within the limits of 

 the Park itself, and add the Museum to the already great attractions 

 of this favorite place of resort. The Trustees were met by the 

 Commissioners with the most enlightened and liberal sympathy, and 

 the proposition was accepted by them with the declaration on the part 

 of the Commissioners, which the event has justified, that the proposed 

 plan of co-operation, which insured and combined in the enterprise the 

 interests arid means of the private citizen with those of the public, 

 would probably be made an example and incentive for uniting the 

 energies of those interested in other branches of Science and Art in 

 similar undertakings. 



Thus by the favor of the Park Commissioners, at the close of the 

 year in which the Charter of the Museum was granted, its valuable 

 treasures first acquired were deposited and arranged under the protec- 

 tion of the People, in the Arsenal building in the Park, according to 

 written articles of agreement, by which, although remaining the in- 

 violable property of this private corporation, they were secured and 

 preserved for the free instruction and enjoyment of all who chose to 

 visit them. 



From that time to the present the Trustees acknowledge with grat- 

 itude the untiring sympathy and co-operation of the Commissioners 

 and their successors in the Department of Public Parks, by means of 

 which the public has been enabled to enjoj* the full benefit of all which 

 the Trustees have succeeded in acquiring. The fact that the rooms 

 which were allotted to the use of the Museum have been visited daily 

 by thousands of all ages and classes, and that the public interest in its 

 success has steadily and rapidly increased, is a satisfactory proof of the 

 wisdom of that joint arrangement. 



It very soon however became evident by the rapid growth of the 

 Museum, and the constant additions which accrued to its collections, 

 that the temporary accommodations which were the best that the Park 

 Commissioners have thus far been able to afford, were altogether 

 inadequate for the purpose to which they were devoted, and accordingly 



