New-York tribune., 1874-06-03
ADDRESS OF ROBERT L. STUART.


We have assembled on this occasion by the
invitation Of the Trustees Of the American Museum Of
Natural history TO lay the stone Of the generous
edfce which, by the wise iberay OF the state OF New
York has provided for the perpetual use of the
Museum and in the appropriate presence OF the Chef
Magistrates Of the City. the State and the Nation, to
dodoae the structure the public service for which 1t
Is designed In this view 1t may not he unbe-
coming for the Trustees briefly 10 relate the
course OF events which have brought this undertaking
TO present advancement and to declare the purposes
which have acuated them in the efforts they have made
10 establish on permanent foundation, a museum
which a. they hope. will be worthy of recognition
national institution. The Legislature OF the
State of New York. by act passed the 9th Of April,
1862 created the trustees and their successors body
corporate by the name OF THE American Museum OF
Natural History to be located ~ Iho Cl,y OF new
ing IN said CITY museum and library OF natural HIS
tory: OF encouraging and developing the study OF
Natural sence: OF advancing the general knowledge
of kindred subjects. and 10 that eud OF furnishing p0u-
iar on and recreation. Under this charter tho
rrsters immeGately Organized and have. during the
five wears which have since elapsed, devoted no lhron
Siderable amount time and thought, as well as of
money 10 carving into practical operation its useful
provisions. Having by their own CONTRIBUTORS ana
those of pubcsprted citi1 VINO evlnced sub
santia interest in the project. obtained the necessary
means they purchased the extensive collection OF man
MaxlmiIian OF Neuwied. the Elliott collection Of birds
besides "a large part OF the celebrated Verreaux and
other collections OF specimens OF Natural History and
thus found themselves IN possession OF a suitable
rucleus for; "a complete collection, tbut without
any proper building place Of deposit, where
the srecimens myht he at the same time safely pre-
served and made available for the popular use and en-
ioymeut Al this their enterprise the trustees
being thus able to furnish substantial guarantee OF
their earnest determination to accomplish what they
hand turned in their hour or need 10 the
Commissioners of the Central Park, VINO Dy their uni
devotion 10 the trusts committed 10 ther care had
done much advance the welfare and the pleasure
Of fellow citizens, and proposed 10 deposit ter
collections, for safe keeping and exhlDtOn Wltnln
tbe limits of the Park ITSELF add the Museum to the
already great ATTRACTIONS OF TINS iavorte pace o fesof,
The Trustees met by the Commissioners Win the
most enlightened and liberal ympa ty and the PROPOSE
tion accepted by them with the declaration on the
mart OF the Commissioners, which the event has just
ned that the proposed plan OF cooperation which In
surcd combined in the enterprise the interests and
means OF private citizen with those OF the puonc
would probably be made an example ana incentive Iof
uniting OF those interested In other branches
of science and. art IN similar undertakings.
IL very soon however. became evident by the
rapid growth OF the Museum, and the constant add
ti1n which accrued TO It's collections that the temporary
accom- modatiOns which were the best that the Park
have thus far been able to Afford were
altogether inadequate Tor the purpose 10 Wbch tney
were eyoted, accordingly the Legislature in re-
sponse the petition Of large number OF InhueDtla
citizens IN the cause, by the act relative TO
ne OF Public Parks authorized the Com
,ssiOners erect upon MaDhataDsquare at an aggre
cafe cost not exceeding $4,000, suitable hreproof
Snlldpg for the purpose OF establishing and maintain
ing the Museum therein under rules and regulations 10
and the act the ike provision was made IOr
similar building for the use Of The Metropolitan
Museum Of Art" the foundations OF when are already
being prepared by the Commissioners on The opposite
We lay to-day the cornerstone OF an edifce which
shall dedicated forever 10 the study aud the culture
securely laid give PROMISE OF the most solid permanenee
the superstructure. The wise forethouRht Of the
Park Commission in reservng for the future use Of the
Museum the remainder OF Manhattan has pro-
ydsd amply for It's continued growth.