ORIGIN OF THE MUSEUM 



the property of the American Museum of Natural History, to 

 be removed by them immediately after the expiration of six 

 months' previous notice in writing to the Commissioners of 

 the Park, or within six months after receiving a written 

 notice from the Commissioners asking them to withdraw their 

 property from the Park." * 



"The Board of Commissioners of the Department of 

 Public Parks in the City of New York is hereby authorized 

 to contract, direct, and to maintain in and upon that portion 

 of the Central Park, formerly known as Manhattan Square, 

 or any other public park, square, or place in said city, a 

 suitable fireproof building ... for the purpose of establish- 

 ing and maintaining therein ... a Museum of Natural 

 History, by the American Museum of Natural History . . . 

 and it shall be the duty of and lawful for the Comptroller 

 of the City of New York to create and issue in the manner 

 in this act provided such additional amounts of a public 

 fund or stock, to be denominated 'The Museums of Art 

 and Natural History Stock,' as shall be necessary to provide 

 the money required for erecting said buildings, for an amount 

 not exceeding the aforesaid limitations."! 



* Letter from W. A. Haines to Andrew H. Green, December 23, 1869. The 

 terms were accepted by Mr. Green, January 21, 1870. 



f Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed April 22, 1876. 



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