History Behind American Museum of Natural History
The creation of the American Museum of Natural History came as a result of a proposal by Albert Smith Bickmore, an American naturalist who wanted a natural history museum in New York City. Bickmore, born in Martinsville Harbor, Maine, spent his childhood on the beach and in the forest, learning about local wildlife, flora, and fauna. He graduated from Dartmouth College, and later studied under Harvard professor Louis Agazzis. While working in the Museum of Comparative Zoology founded by Agazzis, Bickmore began to visualize a museum of natural history for New York.
Bickmore discussed his plans with the Prince of Wales and Henry Acland of Oxford, who both encouraged him. Bickmore drafted a proposal to create the museum, and won the support of J. Pierpont Morgan, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. Joseph Choate, and William E. Dodge, Jr. John Thompson Hoffman, Governor of New York, officially signed the Act of Incorporation on April 6, 1869, to officially create the museum. The original building that housed the museum was in the Central Park Arsenal at the eastern entrance to Central Park. As more artifacts were displayed, the museum collections had to be housed in a larger building.
As the museum expanded, it became involved in scientific expeditions, that allowed the trustees of the museum to add valuable, permanent collections. Margaret Mead, the famous anthropologist who had studied at Harvard, brought the work of anthropology to social consciousness, and worked in the Department of Anthropology until she died in 1978. The American Museum of Natural History came to have its more famous collections by employing a full-time science staff of more than 225, who are involved in various fields of scientific expertise.
The museum also sponsors more than 120 special field exhibitions every year. The worldwide expeditions allow the museum to add artifacts to its permanent collections. The permanent exhibitions at the museum include biodiversity and environmental halls, birds, reptiles and amphibians, earth and planetary sciences, fossils, and the Rose Center for Earth and Space. In addition to the permanent collections, the museum also hosts changing exhibits. Past exhibitions have included Whales: Giants of the Deep, Space Show: Journey to the Stars, and Winged Tapestries: Moths at Large.
The American Museum of Natural History is so influential because the exhibits help us to understand our role in biodiversity, climate change, genetics, and evolution. It provides visitors with opportunities for learning and teaching, exploring, and conducting research. The museum sponsors class field trips, and Learn and Teach Programs for students of all ages, educators, and families.
Among the programs for children are Adventures in Science, Global Weekends, and Science and Nature. The programs introduce children to science at an early age so they have an appreciation for science and nature. The Hayden Planetarium sponsors family programs and the Discovery Room allows families the opportunity to experience hands-on activities. All of these activities and programs influence the way children and adults perceive the world. Online courses for educators allow them to build their knowledge of crucial issues including climate change, and Urban Advantage allows middle school students to take part in science investigations.
