The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-03
THE NEW MUSEUM.
President Grant Lays the Corner Stone Of the
American Museum Of Natural History.
Addresses Made by Governor Dix, Robert
l.. Stuart, H. g. Stebbins and
Professor Henry.

AAOACSSOA HUH
The corner stone OF the American Museum Of
Natural History, now In process OF erection. on
Manhattan Park. Eighth avenue ana seventy
seventh street, was land yesterday afternoon by
President Ulysses S. Grant, in the presence or
about 5000 representatives OF the upper ten.
me weather was charming and the arrangements
maze by the trustees gave all the guests COM
iorsaDe seats and an excellent view OF the cere-
mohy ana the different speakers. The corner
stone was supported by derrick lestooned with
evergreens, and hung over the northeast corner
Oh the ouliding which is now about one story high.
The Park and Eighth avenue were blocked
with carriages, and by four p NJ the
building was crowded with spectators while
several thousands OF those who had no tickets
covered the surrounding grounds. There was
considerable doubt IN the minds or many present
whether the President would really come, but
about ten minutes past four he arrived, accom-
pauied oy Messrs. Hamilton Fish and Robson,
Governor Dix, General Hancock, the trustees OF
the museum and others. The President was re.
ceived with immense applause, and finally took
seat IN the centre oil the platform the right OF
Mr. Robert L. Stuart, the President OF the Museum.
The Rev. stephen Ii. Tyng opened the business
OF the afternoon with an invocation. after which
u.
on behalf Of the trustees. After giving an elabo-
rate sketch OF the growth OF the museum, Mr.
Stuart closed his remarks as follows: =
we should not do entire Justice to this occasion If
failed to record the gratitude 81 the and the
sui fresh with and will long be kept green by
a e 81
TINS museum we are indebted more than to any other
WITH zeal into the project Of It's creation believing that
would prove an honor TO his native city and an impor
OF 10 citizens ana their chill
AND and o those % S1s il
the disposition 70 do something for the public
sha be dedaaa store q ao u
s ns dy S the Of ory sss
WISE o e n es The
for the future Of the scum the rema nder Of Man.
haitian square, has provided amply tor its continued
The this occasion the President of the
these ceremonies, Of that public Interest
which rr 70 sustain the me
nan been s s Sy t. this n
SG m sHsey S1 that with
Mr.: II. 9. Stebbns, President OF the Depart
ment OF Pubic Parks then read an address that
had been prepared by Mr.. Salem Il. Wales, who
has since resigned and gone abroad. The address
written by Mr.. Wales explained how the Commits
sioners Of Central Park had first lent assist
by fitting up and arranging the building known as
the Arsenal ior the temporary reception or their
sac I've mas been the zeal and
cuton OF its work, that the space already allotted
IN the Arsenal Building is wholly inadequate for
the Department. o! Public Parks mas determined to
construct much more extensive edidce,
should equal the largest mususm Of the oi world
We are here to-day to lay the corner stone OF such
an edidce, and as the representative this occa-
great pleasure IN assuring the trustees and the
friends OF the society OF the great interest felt by
the commissioners IN the success OF this worthy
enterprise. To the stranger who comes here to.
day these rugged foundations and these rough
surroundings are not well calculated to make
pleasant Impression, bat they picture to them
selves the spot upon which we now stand, known
as Manhattan square, az covered by the proposed
completion not less than 5000, 900, and embracing
collection OF objects OF scientific interest second
to none other IN the world, In conclusion Mr.
Stebbins remarked
What Mr.. Wales has said and have lust READ will
a conception Of the purposes Of the structure
n9no assist &c n the Of wach
tennial of our independence, here to stand as
BEEN magnificent ami %emGIa mat Ct What has
to to-, become part OF the material resources that
park home Saten sf Snve4y whats inis
nober exhibitions could be given Of the GROWING
Museum and its sister institution, the Gallery viii
legitimate OsSn viii contain Within Itself IN m al s
hs hsGuhhy M
Sat are srSSss ss
complshed facts It's artistic decorations and its Nh.
suits high civilization ami OF literally directed
by the wisest iorethought and the most cultured
spoke as follows: =
did not come here with the slightest expectation of
you although you may ind acu % be-
In the published order Of proceedings speake But
i%pais!ion having sis made is
q s as Ss
spending in the most summary manner to your Kindness
and courtesy am very much gratiaed 70 be with
as;se1mblags Of beauty and fashion and Of those
sy a mulch hs sars are aHS %roas
out i Is pleasant TO see great metropolitan city like
industry and LAYING The foundation q repository Of art
m Se 't that ss b. Se n
r. our BY gathering together the memo
empires empires g shTSneisd
and efy ssos n nd @
tnre may be emnlated by the creative genius of art
done much for nature Most
shapsless mas1rsas a.agssqus @o Now il very
S sS w the
only rose to make an apology tor sstns down asan
ay Which eracs o Sey ea
be induced to sing when they and never
down cannot fOrbear say Is appropriate
foundation OF this cosmopolitan Institution should be
laid bv the foremost man of time, who in the field
did so much by his calm uncon querable and uncon-
scious vaor to save the nations life, and who
Cabinet stands forth as its fearless champion to
its honor and its plighted faith.
Professor Joseph Henry, Secretary OF the Smith
sonlan Institution, made very able address,
touching mainly upon education and its gradual
growth throughout the world lie id:-The
establishment the beginning Of which We are about
TO naugurate IS, III accordance with the views we
have presented worthy Of the enterprise INTEL
lgence Of those who conceived and who have thus
lar developed It, IL IL to De temple OF nature in
which the productions OF the organic and inorganic
worlds together with the remnants OF the past ages
Of the human .amily are TO De collected, classified
and properly exhibited II Ia to be rendered an
attractive exhibition which shall arrest the atten-
ton OF the most observing OF those who have been