New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-02
TO REOPEN THE MUSEUM.
PREPARATIONS NEARLY COMPLETED.
THE NEW BUILDING TO BE DLDi0AihD o''
pEcEMBEE Is-ITs APPEARANCE
NEW EXHIBITS.


ING the new wing have been advancing WITH mucn ac-
tivj,y The trustees had determined OIL las'
week as the time for r-opehing unc uu''"''N
The Director had agreed that It couid NC n'"oe "'
for that time, ard during the summer a"er INC III"
teor had been turned TO the trustees. thcc was
no recess in the work of preparation II II naa N,
manned with the trustees this work would PROBABLY all
have hcen CONNECTED I'm time, but public bodies move
It, ao,bsra,ion Contracts which had 10 be awarded
bv The CITY were delayed, and when begun were oo-
str,ctod further by the bad weather OF OCTOBER.
The open,nc and dedication of the new wing is now
definitely settled for Tuesday. December Is Ihs VIII
afford Two more weeks 10 complete everything ana
General di Cesnola considers that time ample Inc
,ry,,,,,ons are h-lng prepared and about 5000 OF
them will be issued 10 the friends and patrons OF inc
Museum Among others President Cleveland ana MS
Cabinet have been invited and the Presden-ccct Con-
Gal Harrison, and his wife. There Is probability as
we'll that several distinguished European authorizes
IN art and archaeology, who have been desirious OF
visiting the Museum and examining the Cypnote COL
lection may take this opportunity OF coming 10 Ne"
York
LAYING OUT THE GROUNDS.
The Museum as It will appear when copened viii
be surprise TO those who have not been 1uny a"~Ho
q, fine changes which are In progress and OF the 1uu
,.s.tv md extent OF its treasures The exterior on
the old wing and the surrounding grounds are under>
going transformation. The walks and drives winch
form the approaches TO the building are ocihs ooi-
structed by the Park Department, and al the sus-
gestion of President j. Hampton Robb change was
made in the plans Of the entrance to the building Dy
which a broad flight of steps was added giving moro
height and dignity 10 the structure. broad road
wav will sweep from the Park entrance at Seventy
ninfb-st and FIFTH ave- to the front OF the Museum
and past IT TO connect with the eastern drive This
will afford ample space for carriages, while special
provision is made for visitors on foot By wide walks
which run parallel to the roadway
The Museum standing the slight rise OF tie
ground will DO q pleasant object TO the eye man
the old wing with barn-lks, anonymous architecture
The arcbitec tural which has been under CIR
cumstances Of some technical embarrassment has nc
emitted in more satisfactory outcome. The prevail
ing tone is simple and unobtrusive but with quiet
conservatism that speaks its purpose appropriately
without forcing itself agsressivey on the visitor mo
aim of the architect has been to secure wholesome
classical treatment Of the group to shape the chaao
ter of the now buildings which may follow this In
accord with the object OF the Institution The new
wing is the first completed portion of the facade and
with its completion the older part OF the structure
takes its place the background The new structure
IS Of brick with heavy stone ntes and trimmings, ana
is as thoroughly freproof as It could be made.
HANDSOME SOUTHERN ENTRANCE.
In placing the principal entrance on tho south
facade a judicious change was Effected The build
Ing gains artistcay from IL by the wider and better
frontage and a moro graceful setting in the park
landscap while, from practical point OF view
southern entrance is a better security against TIE
sharp winter winds Tho finished facade evidently
determines future additions the north and east in
fact the present enlargement repeated on the a9-
Joining sides the general plan that has been out
lined for the future would only complete the char
acter Of the group
The space now at command begins to fulfil some
Aort.-
ling, as 1t has, the former exhibiting capacity But
Il is only a question OF a few years with natural
growth that the need OF room will be unpera-
tive to provide for the gifts which are constantly
coming into the possession OF tho institution.
Scarcely than ten years ago, when the original
building opened IN Central Park, the collections
were valued by the trustees at less than 100000
The most sangune Of the projectors did not antici
pate the success which their undertaking has proved
In the interval the collections have developed with
a rapidly which compelled the most rigid economy
of area Now the value Of the museum treasures is
placed beyond 81, 100000 and these figures can not
be said express their full worth.
The old wing since the close Of the building has
been undergoing numerous changes remedy de-
iects of light and ventilation which were found to
exist In IT, The arrangement Of the interior Of the
main hall and of all the galleries is to be entirely
changed. Until his plans arc completed and this
arrangement has been effected and made ready for
them. They may be at the last subject to some
changes but by tho first week In December he expects
10 have them finished. Tho general plan of the
rangemen Is to have the exhibits carefully classified
That of early art and archaeology will be fully rep
resented by the Babylonian and Assyran exhibits
which Dr. ". II. Ward collected. and tho Egyptian
collection which the museum has secured within the
last year and which has yet been by the
public.
From these early grOrings Of man to perpeuate
what appealed to his of the beautiful the Cy-
priote collection. gathered by General di Cesnola in
Cyprus, forms another step which marks the advance
of the primitive conceptions of art TO the ripper de-
veopmcnt Of Greece and Rome. The full develop
ment of art in painting and sculpture Will occupy a
large portion of the galleries of the museum. In adj
dition TO these the departments which mark the
art development of China and Japan; the minor
branches of art In jewelry coins, laces, tapestries
canoes, musical instruments, curos the and
implements Of Of ancient and modern nations.
A GLIMPSE OF THE INTERIOR.
From the entrance a broad corridor extends through
the wing TO the main hall Of the old building
The flooring is marble mosaic of light orange
color, and this contrasts pleasantly with the light
walls and the massive pillars PLACED at regular in
tervals. The pillars are of Roman composition ce-
ment and have the appearance of black marble. The
corridors and communications between the old and
the buildings have been planned with a view
the easy circulation OF the large crowds which
frequently gather in the museum short distance
from the entrance and either side of the main
corridor, two large elevators will carry visitors
the upper floor where the picture galleries will be.
The Gold Room with its treasures and all the rare
jewelry, ancient and modern, will be this floor.
Heretofore the curators Of the several departments
have occupied temporary Offices in the basement Of
the old wing. The Easements of the old and the
buildings be utilized for storage and shop
PURPOSES, while the Office OF the Director has been
placed on the second floor OF the new wing over the
main entrances.
Adjoining his Office 10 the west arranged those
OF the cUtatOiS. TIE east is the board Of
the museum trustees These rooms all tasiefuy
furnis he'd In cherry and Will AFFORD every facility for
the study and arrangement which VIII occupy the
time of the Drec tor end his staff. The library of the
occupies the space OF the board in
the wing and is finished I'm cherry the other
rooms. gallery around the apartment for
access 10 the book shelves. and although not spacious