Tlir Arsenal in Central Park 

 FIRST BOMB OF mm VII skim. 1870-1877 



Site -Second and third floors of the Arsenal. 

 President — John David Wolfe. 

 .Mayor— A. Oakey Hall. 

 Comptroller— Andrew 11. Green. 



The American Museum of Natural History was founded and incorporated in 1869 for the purpose of 

 rsial.lisl.im and maintaining 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 thai end ol 

 furnishing popular instruction. For eight years its temporary home was in the Arsenal in Central Park. 



PREPARATION OF PERMANENT PLANS 



1„ 1871 the Legislature passed an art authorizing the Department of Parks to contracl for, erect, and 



maillt ain in and upon thai portion of the Central Park I wn as Manhattan Square, ... anj other public 



park square or place in said city, a suitable fireproof building for the purpose of establishing and 

 maintaining therein, under rules and regulations ... be prescribed bj the said Board from time to time, a 

 museum of natural history ... be occupied bj the American Museum of Natural History. 



Manhattan Square was finally chosen as the site of the Museum building. It comprises aboul eighteen 

 acres of land, and at that time was quite inaccessible from the lower pari of the city. Several architects were 

 invited to submit designs for the building, and finally Oalverl Vaux was selected as the architect. His 

 design contemplated for the entire edifice a bollo* square whose sides were ... be formed ol four grea 

 buildings TOO fee. long, ornate in material and detail, and distinguished bj large entrances ol architectural 



dignity and strength. 



In general the plan of Mr. Vaux is one that is being followed a. the presenl time. 



