1884-1885 - American Museum of Natural History

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early part of the year, and distributed to institutions and individuals
all over the world.
A bequest of $5000 (the first the Museum has received) has
been paid by the executor of the estate of the late Hon. Wm. E.
Dodge, and the Trustees have thought best to place on record the
following resolution regarding the same and other bequests that
it is hoped may from time to time be made:
" Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Natural. History in Central
Park regard it as highly important to constitute a permanent endowment fund of which
the interest only shall be applied to the use of the Museum, as shall be deemed most
expedient by the Board, and therefore it is resolved that the Board do hereby establish
a fund to be called a permanent endowment fund."
" Resol'ved, that the bequest of the late Wm. E. Dodge of $5000 be hereafter known
as the Wm. E. Dodge Fund, and that the same shall constitute a part of the permanent
endowmcnt fund."
It is the desire and aim of the Trustees to place the Collections
of the Museum in such condition that they may be as useful and
instructive to visitors as possible. The limited means at the
disposal of the institution permits of only moderate advancement
in this important feature.
The Trustees beg to again call attention to the urgent necessity
for an additional section to the Museum building. The already
overcrowded state of the present structure makes another wing
an imperative necessity.
It is believed that the city, which has been so liberal hitherto
in all matters of education and culture, will be ready to grant the
means for such an additional edifice, if an endowment fund for
the steady development of the institution be supplied from private
sources, and the Trustees again appeal to all public-spirited citizens
to join them in commencing such a fund.