HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM 



Bulletins. 



were sent to all parts of the United States to gather the woods, and 

 the services of Mrs. Sargent were engaged to add the element of beauty 

 to the collection through her paintings of the leaves, flowers, and fruits. 



stones. At the same time the collection of Building Stones forecast the 



ultimate development of an economic department which should em- 

 brace the ores and industrial products of the earth, and give also 

 sections of mines and the products and systems of metallurgy. After 

 thirty years this project is in the way of being put into execution. 



A rapid review of the chief steps in this administration will, per- 

 haps, give the best idea of Mr. Jesup's originality and of his high ideals 

 for the scientific future of the Museum. The year preceding his ap- 

 pointment, popular lectures in natural history had been instituted 

 by Professor Bickmore. In 1881 came the issue of the first number 

 of the Scientific Bulletins. In 1884 Professor Joel A. Allen, a dis- 

 tinguished zoologist and pupil of Agassiz, was appointed as head of the 

 Department of Zoology. To systematize the free lecture courses the 

 Department of Public Instruction was organized under Professor 

 Bickmore. 



In 1885 began the agitation for the Sunday opening of the public 

 museums. This was a step regarded by many as hostile to religion, and 

 led to the withdrawal of certain financial support. Mr. Jesup was at 

 first opposed to Sunday opening because of his religious convictions, but 

 his breadth of view is shown by the fact that, when the resolution in favor 

 of Sunday opening was finally adopted by the Board of Trustees, he de- 

 voted his energies to making the movement a success. This change took 

 effect in August, 1892, with the result that more visitors, especially 

 among the laboring class, were attracted than ever before. 



Taxidermy. The first step toward the artistic display of the collections of 



zoology was taken in the engagement of Mrs. Mogridge, an English 

 lady, from the British Museum, who introduced the first bird groups 

 and accessories. This opened the way for the perfected series of 

 Habitat groups in which the American Museum now leads the world. 



Exploration. A new policy of exploration in the field was instituted in 1888 by 



an expedition for the fast-vanishing bison, supported by Messrs. Jesup 



[30] 



Sunday 

 Opening. 



