New-York tribune., 1911-12-25
NEW WING FOR MUSEUM
Will Care for Development of
Natural History Collection.
DIRECTOR EXPLAINS PLANS
Whole Exhibit and Hall of Ocean
ography to Occupy Building
to Cost 100000.

Or. Frederic A. Lucas, director Of the
Museum Of Natural History, in speaking
yesterday Of the future development Of the
museum, explained the purposes for which
the new wing TO be built at the southeast
corner Of the present structure would be
used when completed. The southeast wing,
facing on Central Park West, will be erect
ed at a cost Of 100000 or more. which
sum was appropriated this year by the
Board Of Estimate ON Thursday the Park
Board will award the contract for the eX-
cavatiou work necessary for the laying Of
The foundation, bids for which are now be-
ing advertised. No time will be lost in get
ting the project under way.
The new southeast wing. according 10 Or.
Lucas. VIII include whale hall and a hall
Of oceanograpEy The limited space Of the
present building does not permit the COM
pletion Of the whale exhibit. There is no
department Of oceanography a present. and
there are few such i'm the museums of the
world, according 10 the director.
1T is planned eventually 10 have the
whale and mammal collection complete in
the new hall. which will popularity be known
as whale hail." said Dr. Lucas yesterday
AT present it is impossible because OF linn
tied space to place on exhibition all the
mammal collection. The new hall will be
built also 10 accommodate another whale
model such as the one which hangs in the
present whale room. The model is pom
ised by the giyer Of the model now in the
museum.
when Mr. Andrews, Of the museum
staff. brought back this year a number Of
specimens Of whales from his travels in
search Of such i'm Pacific waters there was
not room enough for them to be placed on
exhibition. But with the completion Of
whale hall all such specimens as he collect
ed will be on view. as well as other parts
Of the mammal collection. Some day We
hone the mammal collection I'm the museum
will be the best in the world. At present
there is n comprehensive one in the British
Museum, but it is possible to make this one
here better still
Adjoining the proposed whale hall will be
the hall Of oceanography. Here, according
10 Or. Lucas. will be shown models Of
boats which are in use In the study OF the
sea. and Of the methods In use in the search
for the secrets OF the deep.
AS proposed" said DR.. Lucas. "it will be
a means of enlightening visitors as 10 the
way in which knowledge of the sea is OBJ
tanned. showing, of course the boats in use,
the methods pursued and all other phases
Of oceanography When completed 1t should
be one Of the most interesting rooms in the
museum There is no such other in any
museum in this country at the present
time
When Dr. Lucas succeeded DR.. Bumpus
last year as director OF the Museum OF
Natural History he said his efforts would
be bent in the direction Of bringing col
lections together I'm such way that the
continuity would make for better study by
visitors as well as students When asked
about this phase OF his work yesterday the
director said many collections had been
brought together In the last year
Among some which have been brought
together" said Or. Lucas. "are the South
Sea Island group which has recently been
o,ened At present the exhibit Of the
Mains Indians is being arranged in one Of
the halls Soon one Of the bird halls VIII
he opened TO The public"
Because of the great amount OF printing
necessary In the labelling Of exhibits the
museum Is soon TO enlarge its printing
pIant the director declared Another press
u.iu he installed Fully 100000 labels walt
to be printed. The force Of printers Will
also bc Increased.
Nlr Andrews is To make further search
IN the near future for specimens OF