ENDOWMENT 



USES OF ENDOWMENT 



The system of public education in the Museum exhibition and 

 lecture halls, through what may be called Museum Extension to the 

 Schools and Libraries, reached 1,674,272 adults and young during the 

 year 1908. This figure more than justifies the expenditure of public 

 maintenance funds which are devoted to the erection and maintenance 

 of the building, and to salaries. But the life and spirit of education 

 are both drawn from the same source, namely, the scientific work of 

 the Museum through its expeditions, collections, researches, and publica* 

 tions. Without this incessant activity of its own, which is chiefly sup- 

 ported by the endowment and by private gifts, the Museum would be 

 dependent on other scientific bodies, whereas, it is a living center which 

 may be said to reach every part of the world. 



The most pressing uses of the endowment are: 



First. The preparation and placing on exhibition of many of the 

 great collections which have come to us as special gifts or through 

 special expeditions and explorations, and which at present are unseen 

 for want of adequate means. 



Second. It is only with an ample endowment fund that the Museum 

 can meet the occasions constantly arising when immediate decision 

 is necessary in the acquisition of a collection, or can reach out to 

 secure its share of the fast-vanishing objects in anthropology and 

 natural history in various parts of the world. 



During his last visit to the Museum, our late Trustee, Mr. D. 0. 

 Mills, observed to the President that he thought the American Museum 

 was doing more for the money expended than any other institution in 

 the City. This remark from a very keen observer would be supported 

 by close personal examination of the internal operation of every 

 department of the Museum. It is ceaseless in its activity in every 

 branch. Under the present management of Director Bumpus, there 

 is not an idle hour or an idle moment in any part of the Museum. Every 

 man is working up to his full capacity, and some are being worked 

 beyond their normal capacity. 



[137] 



