ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
BULLETIN 
Published by the New York Zoological Society 
Volume XXVI JULY, 1923 Number 4 
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE AQUARIUM 
By C. H. Townsend 
T HE City has made provision for a moderate 
enlargement of the Aquarium which will 
permit of an increase of twenty per cent, in 
the exhibits; make it more comfortable for 
visitors; create more space for administrative 
work and improve its outside appearance. 
Another story will be built over the present 
office section at the front of the building to pro¬ 
vide space for office, library and laboratory. 
This will leave the second story available for 
distributing tanks, ventilating and refrigerating 
plants still located at the rear of the building. 
Space on the first floor will be made available 
for filters and larger lavatories for the public. 
With all machinery thus removed to the front, 
the space reclaimed in the rear will be used for 
additional exhibits. Mr. Henry D. Whiton has 
generously provided funds for the construction 
of the new tanks, and the collections of the 
Aquarium will be twenty per cent, larger than 
they are now. 
The exterior of the building will be treated in 
a manner that will relieve it of the long-stand¬ 
ing reproach of shabbiness. While its exhibits 
are larger and more varied than those of any 
other aquarium, the building has never presented 
a creditable appearance in any of the guises it 
has worn since it lost the dignified aspect of the 
simple old fort of a century ago. 
The large attendance at the Aquarium—fifty- 
one millions in twenty-six years,—is due in part 
to its ideal location in Battery Park, and the 
Park needs just this attraction. 
Nothing could contribute more to the interest 
THE AQUARIUM AS IT WILL LOOK WHEN IMPROVED 
Drawing showing third story at front of building. This addition creates space for office, lavatory, feed-room, 
repair-room, storage, library and laboratory. It makes available one-fifth more space on the ground floor for new 
exhibition tanks. 
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