Department of Astronomy 1924-1999
Division of Mineralogy, Geology, Geography and Astronomy: Department of
Astronomy 1924-1935
The Department of Astronomy at the American Museum of Natural History
existed from 1924 to 1999 and was the earliest manifestation of the study of
Astronomy at the Museum. It was originally conceived in 1924 as part of the
Division of Mineralogy, Geology and Geography, with Department of Education
Curator Clyde Fisher put in charge (1, 1925 p. xix). In 1935 the Department’s
reach expanded with the opening of the Hayden Planetarium. Thereafter the
scientific research department and the physical exhibition and educational space
were merged. From 1935, curatorial staff held responsibility for both the
Department of Astronomy and the Hayden Planetarium, and the department’s name
changed to Department of Astronomy and Hayden Planetarium. In 1953 it would
change to Department of Astronomy and American Museum-Hayden Planetarium. In
1999, the department was re-envisioned as the Department of Astrophysics. This
reflected a change in divisional focus and the construction of the new Rose
Center for Earth and Space, which would open in 2000. At this point, the
relationship between the Hayden Planetarium and the scientific Department of
Astrophysics split into more discrete identities. This record documents the
Department of Astronomy up until the opening of the Hayden Planetarium, from
1924-1935.
Department of Astronomy 1924-1999