GENERAL GUIDE TO THE MUSEUM 
INTRODUCTION 
HE American Museum of Natural History was founded and incor- 
porated in 1869 for the purpose of establishing a Museum and 
Library of Natural History; of encouraging and developing the 
study of Natural Science; of advancing the general knowledge of kindred 
: subjects and to that end, of furnishing popular instruction. 
History - ; j ‘ ; 
For eight years its temporary home was in the Arsenal in 
Central Park. The corner stone of the present building in Manhattan 
Square was laid in 1874 by President U. S. Grant, and in 1877 the first sec- 
tion (South Central Pavilion) was completed. 
The Museum is located at 77th Street and Central Park 
West, and can be reached by the Sth or 9th Avenue surface 
cars, the 6th or 9th Avenue elevated to 81st Street station, or by the subway 
to 72nd or 79th Street station. The Museum is open free 
every day in the year; on week days from 9 A.M. to 5 P. M., 
Location 
Hours of 
Admission i : ‘ 
on Sundays from | to 5 P. M. 
The Museum building is one of the largest municipal structures in the 
City, and has cost approximately $5,000,000. The South Fagade is 710 
feet in length; the total area of the floor space is 470,789 square feet, or 
about 10 acres, of which 271,886 square feet are open to the public. The 
building when completed is designed to occupy all of Manhattan Square. 
The Museum is under the control of a self-perpetuating Board of Trus- 
Administra- tees, which has absolute controi of all property of the Museum 
tion and and the entire direction of its activities. The Trustees give 
Support their services without remuneration. 
The Museum building is erected by the City and leased to the Trustees. 
The Museum derives its chief financial support from four sources: 
1. The City, which provides annually an appropriation ($189,757 in 
1911) for the maintenance of the building and the exhibition of the collec- 
tions. Such appropriations are not available however for purchase of 
specimens, carrying on of field work or publication of scientific papers. 
2. Endowment, a total of $2,365,750 (1911), which yields an annual 
income of $109,540. 
3. Membership, there being at present more than 2000 Members each 
contributing annually $10 or more for the support of the Museum. Mem- 
bership fees total approximately $25,000 per year, and are used for the 
purchase of specimens, for exploration and for publication. 
4. Voluntary contributions of Trustees and other friends of the Museum, 
which are more than $80,000 for the year 1911. 
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