THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



387 



i;dge of natural history for tlio time in wliicli lie 

 Uvcd, his descriptions are excellent, though the 

 ilassificalion was somewhat crude. Selections 

 embracing the rarest specimens were made from 

 he Vorreaux collection — 2,800 mounted birds, 

 !20 mounted mammals, and 400 mounted skele- 

 ons of mammals, birds, 'fishes and reptiles — cost- 

 ng about $1(3,000 in gold ; ami al)out 250 

 iiounted mammals and Siberian birds from tlic 

 fedray collection. These were all carefully packed 

 uid shipjted ; and in 1870 and 1871— some defen- 

 'ioJi resniting from the Franco-Prussian War — 

 'hey reached New York, and were deposited in 

 the Arsenal, where thousands daily visited tliem. 

 The Elliot collection of North American birds — 

 '-',500 s])ecimens — and many doiuitions, were also 

 placed on exhibition about the same time. 



Meanwhile, the growing interest of the public, 

 vinced by crowds of visitors at the Arsenal, by 

 enerous contributions of money, and by gifts 

 rhich filled the exhibition cases to overflowing, 

 nado it evident that the temporary accommoda- 

 ions were altogether inadequate. And soon a 

 letition, signed by a large number of influential 

 itizens, Avas presented to the Legislature of New 

 fork, in res[)onse to which an Act was passed 

 uthorizing tlie Department of Public Parks to 

 rect a suitable building for the museum upon 

 ianhattan Square — a liberal appropriation being 

 nade for the purjiose. By the same Act a sim- 

 lar provision Avas made for a building, on the op- 

 losite side of the park, for the use of the Metro- 

 )olitan Museum of Art. 



Manhattan Square, set aside permanently for 

 he American Museum, is a plot of ground con- 

 aining over eighteen acres, between Eighth and 

 ^intli Avenues and Seventy-seventh and Eighty- 

 irst Streets — a little outside the Central Park 

 jroper, but now incorporated with it. Here, on 

 Fune 2d, 1874, the corner-stone of the new edifice 

 vas laid by General Grant, then President of the 

 Jnited States ; and on December 22d, 1877, the 

 jompleted building Avas formally opened, Prcsi- 

 ient Hayes, and a large assemblage of prominent 

 litizens and ecientilic men from all parts of the 

 country, being present. 



This building — although but a single section of 

 ihe vast structure designed to be ultimately erected 

 for the requirements of the museum — seemed de- 

 liglitfully commodious as compared with the old 

 Arsenal. It was 200 feet long by 66 wide, and 

 100 in height, beautifully fitted up Avith cases, 

 and the large Avindows sending tlie light into 

 every nook and corner. It had been supposed 

 these accommodations would be ample for some 

 time. Yet even on the opening day the space 

 was fully occupied by classified specimens, Avhile 

 Imany objects still remained in the Arsenal for 

 ilack of room 



As the collections increased from year to year — 

 cliiefly by donations, but also by purchase, to se- 

 cure rare s|>ecimeiis — great embarras.sment Avas 

 felt from want of space for exhibition and f(U' stor- 

 age. jMoreover, a larger Iccture-rooni Avas greatly 

 needed. 



In 1886 an Act was jiassed authorizing tlio erec- 

 tion of an addition to tlie museum ; and after tlie 

 delays which always seem inevitable in great un- 

 dertakings Avork Avas begun in September, 1888, 

 and now the two united buildings form a sym- 

 metrical and imposing structure of which Ncav 

 York may avcII be proud. It is built of brick, 

 Avith stone trimmings and frontage, in Iloman- 

 csque style, the principal entrance facing Seventy- 

 sevenfli Street, l^lie new addition is 110 feet by 

 G5, Avith a Aving at each end 115 feet by 27, tnus 

 giving to the various departments extended room 

 Avhereby the collections are exhibited much more 

 fully and ctTcctively. The new lecture-hall Avill 

 scat about 1,000 ; and the enlarged acconimoda- 

 tions are higlily appreciated by teachers and stu- 

 dents Avho had on many occasions been unable 

 even to gain entrance to the old lecture-room. 

 There are also increased facilities for advancing 

 the researches of scientide men, in the laborato- 

 ries and Avorkrooms. 



The general arraiigements in regard to the mu- 

 seum arc sucli as commend themselves to the good 

 sense of citizens. The Park Department, having 

 furnished grounds and buildings, equip them and 

 keep them in repair. The trustees receive and 

 furnisli collections of specimens, and keep tliem 

 open to the iiublic four days in tlie Avcek, and on 

 all legal and public holidays excepting Sunday ; 

 and, by recent arrangement, on Wednesday and 

 Saturday evenings, and on the evenings of public 

 liolidays. Monday and Tuesday are days reserved 

 for teachers and students Avho desire opportunity 

 for special investigation. 



The contribution of $1,000 at one time to the 

 funds of the museum constitutes the donor a 

 patron of the institution ; 1500 entitles one to be 

 a fellow in perpetuity ; §100, a life member ; and 

 $10 is the annual memtjersliip fee— sjiecial privi- 

 leges being given in each of these cases. 



John David Wolfe Avas the first ju'esident of 

 the board of trustees — a lover of science, and a 

 man of Avealth and culture, Avhose generous aid 

 and Avise counsels Avere invaluable in the founda- 

 tion of the museum. On his death, in 1872, Rob- 

 ert L. Stuart, Avell remembered for liis cultured 

 tastes and liberal heart, Avas elected to the vacant 

 office, Avhich he ably filled for many years, until 

 his death. In 18S1 Morris K. Jesup, identified 

 with the museum as one of its first trustees, and 

 a most generous patron, Avas chosen president, 

 Avliich responsible jiosition he still occupies, freely 

 devoting time and money to the interests of the 



