New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-06
MUSEUMS FOR BROOKLYN.
THE PROJECT OF THE BROOKLYN NSlf
TUTE FAIRLY UNDER WAY.


HOOPER, THE REV. DRsl BEHgENDs,
BAKER AND HALL, MR.. CHADWICK
AND DAVID A BooDY-A REP
REsENTATIvE COMMIT.
A popular movement to provide museums OF ART
and science for Brooklyn, which has sorely neeaea
such Institutions, was started last evening IN 'ho
Brooklyn Institute, at Washington and Concon s,s
The call for the meeting was published In Inc
Tribune on Sunday. This tIme-honored Institution VI
the city has recently renewed its YOUTH and IL nus
taken the initiative in the matter Of providing SUIT
able building buildings for collections OF INC Az
objects and for scientific collections.
Among those present in response to invitauohs
sent out by a committee of the leading men
and women OF tile city, were ex-Uni'eu
States District Attorney A! W. TenneS'
A. ID. Whcelock, E G. Blackford, William Potts l. L.
Woodruff, +. W. Hnrchs, Professor W. lie COME
Stevens, DR.. A. H. Broadway, J. NJ. Van Cott Dr -
ii. Shepard. d. NJ. sOmers. James Littleinhn, Roper'
b. Woodward, +. A. Guild and Theodore T. SMITH,
The Brooklyn woman's Club was represented py
large delegation.
General J. B. Woodward, president of the institute
called the several hundred persons present to oier'
and explained the purpose OF the meeting TO be TO OF
ganze an art department In tho institute. other 40
parmens, covering the range Of scientific studcs 10
said, were in operation. A flourshng art school, was
maintained. II was now determined to try TO con-
centrac the art interests OF the city. Brooklyn had
passed beyond its village stage and was great city,
but It had gallery or collection of art obecs
1t was proposed to establish of science ana
art On the lands alongside Of Prospect Park u
seemed desirable to place institutions of learning and
public use The site was admirable and there was
room for a museum, a great public library, ana a
university II deemed desirable TO found ono later on
II was desirable to unite all institutions In the CITY
in this enterprise.
WHAT THE INSTITUTE AIMS TO ACCOMPLISH.
Professor Franklin W. Hooper, of the AdePhl
Academy, explained the history of tao Brooklyn
Institute which was for a score Of years the cher
hall of the city, and in whose hail many famous
lectures were delivered. After debt OF 100000
had been Incurred for improvements it took score
of years to pay of. Now It was free OF debt Win
a property OF about 100000 II had been dedicaed
In perpetulty rs institute Of science and art To
enlarge its scope tho directors had adopted the plan
of the American Association for tho Advancement Oh
Science. Professor Hooper continued:
at is governed by trustees, directors, and
council In tho membership are honorary members,
patrons life members, and associate members. With
In a year $50 specialists have become associate
members. Having organized the scientific side in the
past year. II is intended 10 repeat the experiment on
the art side, but on a much larger scale. IL
Is proposed to lay tho foundations Of an academy
OF arts and sciences, TO draw In
all persons interested and to mako more
useful the property now possessed. Tho best land
available should DO secured Dor sites for museums
The ideal place for such institutions is near the
triumphal arch which is to span the main entrance
OF Prospect Park, and st should stand either on the
plaza or on the East Side lands Tho Brooklyn
Institute is looking forward to using its properly
as nucleus for a great public institution
DIR EEHRENDS MAKES AN EARNEST SPEECH.
A letter of regret from the Rev. DIR. storrs, who
is in Boston, was read, expressing his interest IN
the movement, and then the Rev. DR.. a. J. T.
Behrends spoke. Among other things, he said
The city Of Brooklyn has been vory slow 10 assert
its individuality. For one, I hail this movement
There is sach a thing as carrying modesiy too far
We have been a dependency Of Ncw-York so long
that we have got suburb in the blood. Public
spirit and local pride have been slowly
developed, aud some people say thai
tho only cure for our somnolcnt
condition Is annexation. do0't want to deraot from
what New-Yorh has done. It has double tho popula
ton OF Brooklyn four times the taxable property and
ten times tho private weaith But the fsct that she
IS ahead should not discourage us. Annexation may
come but Brooklyn must never DO willing to surrender
her corporate individuality, except equal terms.
Some New-Yorsers seem 10 think that all wo have Is
Greenwood Cemetery and tho Navy Yard But VIC
Hospital, the Pratt Institute, the Packer and Poly
technic schools, fine system OF public schools. Pros
pect Park and We VIII soon have monumental arch
But We ought 10 have more. The Metropolitan Mu
scum and Museum OF Natural History had small bein
nlngs and ia the Brooklyn Institute we have founds
ton for something like them. The plea against TINS
VIII be that this Is a sentimental movement. but
say that our system Of public schools DEEDS lust this
to supplement f. This Is for the people and Is demo
AfsF n
NewYork Museum OF Natural History was carried tn
tho oarpetbag of one man. New-York has given
81 900 600 TO Il in tho past twenty years Its foun-
dalton was laid IN the public good, and It has been oil
constant use / want museum In Prospect Park for
popular instruction Brooklyn needs university
also in the future appeal to tho public pride OF
your growing city, on the ground of public interest,"
BRooKLYN's NEED OF MUSEUMS
The Rev. DR. Charles r. Baker said that fifty years
ago, according to history Of Brooklyn, the chief
architectural feature Of tho city was Raymond Street
Jau which was said TO compare favorabu
with tho best specimens Of Gothic art In Europe
u,aughter) DR.. Baker said he thought tho same
Ideas did not prevail In 1880 and he appealed for
proper education OF by casts OF the great models
OF sculpture.
Or Charles II. Halt spoke of the need of caring for
the people Of the city on all SIC Of their natures
From A little beginning In 1923 had grown up tho
prooklyn Institute out OF the Apprentices Library
Augustus Graham should be held ever In honor for
his generosity TO the work. Brooklyn needed q
uniGcafon OF her institutions which would mahe
1roosIyn really what she physically WA great
deal higher than New-York There was material IN
lis CITY for admirable work In all departments OF
naturai history Tho Pratt Institute was making
labor honorable Mr. Pratt had struck line which
uas a good sermon. In tho Hoagland Laboratory
centre OF sound work had also been begun.
On motion Of Dr. Bchrends ibe invitation OF INC
Prooklyn institute was accepted, and tho establish
mcnt Of museums OF art and science was approved.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
Ex-Judge Van Colt moved the appointment OF
committee Of twenty-five to establish an art museum.
David A. Body seconded the motion as practical
movement and one which would have tho support OF
tho public at large. Brooklyn he said. needed some
thing to give 1t distinctive character aud to ronss
civic pride Aftor the adoption OF the motion
tho following appointed on the eommuee'
Dr. Charles IT, Han, ex-Magor Seth Lew, DR.; u; $
stOrTs General g. l.. Wc0dford, DIR. a. j. y. Ben
rends, A. r. orr, d. H. Ioughtaing, DR. l.. y
Chamberlain, Joseph IL. Knapp, John II Martln,
Charles Pratt j. NJ Van Colt, john r. Adams, Henry
IIentz Dr. g. r. Baker w. III. Male, the Rev. J. W