The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-16
MAIN ENTRANCE TO BROOKLYN INSTITUTE.

MAIN ENTRANCE TO BROOKLYN INSTITUTE.
stantly increasing. has been freely used !;
its public halls have been the scene of
many social and historic gatherings, and
from its lecture platform have been
heard such eminent scientists as Agas-
sig, Dana, Gray, Henry, Morse, Mitch
ell, Torrey, Guyot and Cooke, many
learned divines and such patriots as
Phillips, Sumner, Garrison, Everett,
Curtis, King, Bellows and Beecher.
For 90 years the institute enjoyed
period of brilliant activity, during
which it received from Augustus q.
Graham two important donations. In
1865, owing to the erection of large
public buildings in Brooklyn, the in
stitute was left somewhat behind the
times, and the income dwindled to a
low figure. Under these circumstances
the directors remodeled the building at
an expense of $50, 900, involving the
necessity Of a heavy incumbrance. For
20 years this Indebtedness limited the
field of the institute. Not until it was
freed from debt in 1887 did it resume
its former activity and again become a
prominent agent in the work Of educa-
tion in the city.
At this stage in the history Of the in
stitute it was determined to make the
property of the association the nucleus
of a broad and comprehensive inStitu-
tion for the advancement of science and
art and it's membership large and &C
tive one. The idea was to create an in
stitution that should correspond to the
Lowell institute in Boston, the Frank
lin institute in Philadelphia and the
Metropolitan museum in New York.
As a result of the increased interest the
new Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sci
ences was created, and the membership
was swelled until it reached several
thousands. The work received a tempo
rary check in 1890, when part of the
building was destroyed by fire, but this
disaster was soon overcome. The pres
ent work of the institution is best shown
by the fact that during the coming sea-
son it will furnish it's member with %
courses, each department being in
charge of an eminent professor.
At present only one wing of the great
structure that is to be built is under
process of construction, but the plan for
the whole of the building has been
adopted and the work will be pushed
year by year as fast as the appropria-
lions are received. The institute build
ing is to be in the form Of cross, the
wings extending out from a central
building which is to be complete in it
self. The material to be used is Indiana
limestone. The main entrance will be
through the massive Greek portico of
the museum building, the first floor of
which will contain the grand vesti bules
Of the entire structure and will be de-
voted to the history Of ancient sculp-
ture. Its second floor will contain col
lections of chronological interest. The
third floor of this central building will
contain the most beautiful room, it is
said, that has yet been planned in the
history of architecture in this country
room that will equal in purity Of clas-
steal design any room in the old world.
The central dome will rise 80 feet above
the floor and will crown the building
There will be two big halls, lecture
room and rooms devoted to the art gal
leries and the various collections of the
museum, which will be located in the
wings. The first wing will be completed
about June and it is estimated that it
will cost $500, 600.
JOHN T. WuLnUGHBY.