New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-22
OPENING The MUSE UMS ON SUNDA Z,
WHAT THE TRUSTEES THINK OF THE PLAN.
SOME OF THE COLLECTIONS CANNOT BE SHOWN


| VIEWS OF GENERAL ID CEsNoLA.
AT a recent meeting of the Board of Park
commissioners resolution adopted requesting the
trustees Of the Metropolitan Museum OF Art and of tho
american Museum OF Natural History open those
sutons to the public Sundays At present the pub
TIC are admitted free of charge days the week.
days being retained by the trustees for private a-
mission 1t was argued by the Commissioners that as
these museums are in public institutions to
Tue support oil which the city contributes yearly
@ZoOOO the public should have the greatest possible
benefit from them In Europe the public museums are
open on Sundays. Great numbers Of the working peo-
pie In New-York who Interested In the subjects
when The museums established have only leisure on
sundays 70 visit them The full benefit of their infu-
ehce IN educating the public cannot be otherwise
reached.
| Among the trustees of both museums difference of
opinion prevails the subject. The collections the
museums have been largely contributed by the trustees
and others are loaned 10y individuals will eventually
be taken away presented the institutions In the
Museum OF Natural History, Morris K Jesup who is
president OF the Board OF Trustees has charge OF the de-
partment Of American Forestry. and has contributed
most of the specimens in the collection He declined
express an opinion on opening the museum on Sunday
The question has been lered by the
and until IL has been he said that he preferred
remain silent. Abram s. Hewitt, who is OF
that museum, expressed himself freely to q TRIBUNE
reporter with regard to that institution:
am heartily In favor Of opening the Sun
days" he said. and | wish it would be done. The
opening Of the Cooper Institute Library and Reading
room on Sundays IL good example Of what be done
III this respect There difficulties the way
OF opening the museums Sundays which not
known by those unacquanted with their management
In tho first place. there will be additional expense OF
several thousand dollars, not Of itself important. but
It must be remembered that the trustees contribute
largely to the expenses the portion betrayed by the city
he end nf he vanP fhe fruat ara
called to make W the dencioncy there any last
year there about $500 be made up in the
Museum OF Natural History perhaps more tnan that In
the Museum OF Art. Any additional expense would have
to be considered fully by the Another difficulty
lies in the fact that Of the collections have been
contributed with the express provision they we're
not to be exhibited sundayhat OF Robert L. Stuart is
one"
- What is the general feeling OF the trustees the
subject 7" asked the reporter
There would be objection have doubt, but
the question has been much discussed Speaking
for myself say that should favor Sunday opening
n wise measure"
1t was suggested by who has for time been
associated with Museum OF Natural History that the
provision with to the stuart collection and
two others contributed In tue manner could be
avoided by excluding from exhibition those collections
which nave been gwen with restriction. This would
not le sanctioned however by the trustees unless the
families Interested gave their consent.
joan Taylor Johnston president or the trustees or the
Metropolitan Museum of AIT, said thar opening
Museum on sundays had never been contemplated. 1t
coulI not be done a, things were at present
Henry U. Marquand who Is treasurer 81 the museum
uOr did regard probable that the museum would
be opened ON sundays Though the question would be
considered said at next meeting OF Executive
Committee, and II II thought best 1t would then be
referred by tuem TO the Board Of Trustees
- | have informed the Park Commissioners OF the
receipt Of their resolution, gald General Ill CesnOla yes
erlay. and tina 1t viii he presented to the Executive
Committee at tue next meeting IL Is not easy for the
trustees TO say will open the museum ON sundays,
even n all Of thcm were Of that MUD In England
few years ago this same question was discussed ad the
museums were thrown open ~ the public on Sundays
What Was the result lhe very class Of people @nom
expected benefit held great mass meeting and
condemned tue action. They said that they did not want
the museums opened Sundays and | must say their
reasoning was shrewd: II will only lead they said,
~ other exhibitions aud will tend TO destroy the
observance OF sunday Ne = amuse ourselves "a
We please and We DO moi care TO have tue museums
OF ened sunday l. cur day. so after awhile most OF
tue English museums discontinued the practice
what is your own opinion OF tue sunday question:
am native OF Italy, where 1t Is the custom to cren
all places sunday. IL Is quite natural 10 me But
woad hesitate To Say That II Is Prorr 10 a an'sa te
museum In the same sense ~ those IN europe The
trustees recognize fully the at which has been received
from the public IL bias enabled them TO found an insti
tuition In manner unlike any other the history OF art
proud OF II Tie current expenses last year were
$4,000 and OF this the city paid $4,000; not half
see. what was necessary for It's support over $4,000
had 10 be made up from private sources The building,
President Johnston observed. Is rented Of the
giving 10 the public the main source Of It's income All
teachers In tue cls employ sre admitted TO study the
collections free OF charge. The museum includes
property esuated AT nearly 100000 and this Is
rapidly Increasing. million people visited II last year,
an II II had been private institution small
charge cents for admission would have yielded more
than enough 20 pay current expenses. There Is no
endo fund, aud the depends for lie future
on the generosity OF individuals. II an opportunity
Oaers, that may come only oace In a lifetime, 10
purchase collection We have 10 take OF the
hat and snict often ia that we fail. museum in
Europe supported by the Govern eat says: such
collection i for sale We must have 100000 or
500. 900 for II. ."
What would be the additional expense OF opening
the museum Sundays T.
A. Is run now. perhaps 5000. Another year the
bull ding will completed, the collections enlarged
the cost increased The expense OF keeping large
open 10 all IL another thing from keeping II for
the members There larger items OF salaries
and wages, and many necessary expenses Thioh will
Increase from year to year"