ROBERT L. STUART 



Calvert Vaux was selected as the architect. The grand design original 

 offered by Mr. Vaux was accepted. It contemplated for the entire esign ' 

 edifice a hollow square whose sides were to be formed of four great 

 buildings 700 feet long, ornate in material and detail, and distinguished 

 by large entrances of architectural dignity and strength. The whole 

 structure was intended to cover fifteen acres and fill a space three 

 times larger than the basement area of the British Museum. A build- 

 ing of this great size would embrace the most diverse and apposite 

 kingdoms of nature. The exact sciences might even find here a home; 

 and the technical applications in the arts, room for the exhibition of 

 their numberless adaptations. 



On June 2, 1874, the corner stone of the first section of the Museum Dedication, 

 was laid with great ceremony. The President of the United States, 

 the Governor of the State, and the Mayor of the City were present. 

 The President was accompanied by three of his Cabinet. Joseph 

 Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, added a scientific 

 prestige and delivered a memorable address. Many other prominent 

 men were present. President Stuart's address recited the history of 

 the Museum, paying high tribute to John David Wolfe and to Albert 

 S. Bickmore, "whose services and devotion to the interests of the 

 institution and untiring industry in carrying out the wishes of the 

 Executive Committee, have done much to advance the prosperity 

 of the Museum." Mr. H. G. Stebbins, President of the Department 

 of Parks, spoke for the Park Commissioners in language which now 

 appears singularly prophetic: 



"To the stranger who comes here to-day these rugged 

 foundation walls and these rough surroundings are not well 

 calculated to make a pleasant impression; but to us who 

 have watched the rapid growth northward of this City, and 

 who were familiar with the barren and rocky ground upon 

 which the Central Park has been created, it requires but little 

 strain upon the imagination to conceive of the speedy occu- 

 pation of all these vacant lots by substantial dwellings, and 

 to picture to ourselves the spot upon which we now stand, 

 known as Manhattan Square, as covered by the proposed 



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