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 
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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