1 
HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM 
000; owing to the wise expenditure of this fund, a total floor space 
of 438,859 square feet had been secured, and a total exhibition space 
of 262,236 square feet. 
The natural satisfaction which the President felt in the growth of 
the Museum is simply expressed at the close of his Report for the 
year 1905: 
"In concluding this my quarter of a century of service 
as President of the American Museum of Natural History, I 
cannot refrain from referring to the Report of twenty-five 
years ago, when the Trustees stated that 'they most respect- 
fully appeal to the generous citizens of New York, to aid in 
the effort to make our Metropolitan City the center of the 
highest scientific culture in our land, and to join in adding 
new collections and new departments to the admirable 
nucleus which has been already secured.' As your President 
it has been my constant effort to fulfill the desires, as expressed 
by the Trustees, which were so clearly formulated at the time 
of my appointment, and when we view the stately building in 
Manhattan Square, when we wander through the exhibition 
halls and study the priceless collections therein displayed, 
when we realize that thousands of the people of our City are 
assembling here to listen to prominent educators, that school 
children are here receiving their first love for nature and their 
first taste of science, and that the influence of this institution 
is being felt throughout the civilized world, truly we can say 
that the appeal of 1881 to the generous citizens of New York 
has not remained unanswered." 
Bequest. Mr. Jcsup's death occurred January 22, 1908. The terms of his 
bequest set forth his views as to the relations of the public funds and 
of the private funds in the support of the work of the Museum: 
I give and bequeath to The American Museum of Natural 
History in the City of New York one million dollars ($1,000,- 
000), to constitute a permanent fund, the principal to be in- 
vested and kept invested, and the income to be applied and 
appropriated to the general purposes of the Museum, other 
than alterations, additions, repairs or erection of buildings, 
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