Department of Astronomy 1924-1999

Exist Dates

1924 - 1999

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

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.

In 1924, then curator in the Department of Education George Clyde Fisher was asked by Museum President Osborn to head a new Department of Astronomy. In fact, before it was formalized, Fisher was originally listed in staff directories as simply "in charge" of Astronomy. From this inception, plans were in effect for the establishment of a permanent hall for this field of study (1, 1925, p. 34). An ultimately temporary Astronomy Hall was set up in the Museum (1, 1925 p. 32-33). In 1930, Fisher traveled to Germany to observe the new Zeiss projector technology. Upon return, he was convinced that this would be the ideal tool for the proposed space at the Museum. Thus, research into the development of a planetarium in New York was begun in earnest (1, 1931 p. 52; 1, 1932 p. 60). The building was named for Financier Charles Hayden who funded the purchase of optical equipment, and on October 3, 1935 the Hayden Planetarium opened to the public.

From 1935, the Department of Astronomy was officially established and also merged with the Hayden Planetarium in administration, scope and purpose. Clyde Fisher would thus serve as the inaugural Curator of the newly titled Department of Astronomy and Hayden Planetarium (1, 1936 p. 38). For information about the department’s activity after the opening of the Hayden Planetarium, please see Hayden Planetarium, (Record ID: amnhc_3000045) In 1999-2000, a focal shift occurred and the Department of Astronomy was transitioned to the Department of Astrophysics, joining with the Department of Earth and Planetary Science to collectively make up the Division of Physical Sciences. For history of that iteration of the scientific research department, please look to Department of Astrophysics (Record ID: amnhc_3000046).

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Reports. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1934-2006.

(2) American Museum of Natural History. "Scientific Staff," Annual Reports. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1934-2006. Note years 1948-50, 2004-05 and 2007 to present do not detail staff directories.

---

Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

Department of Astrophysics
associated dates: 1999-present
The Department of Astrophysics was established in 1999, essentially taking the place of the Department of Astronomy. It reflects both a name change and change in scientific focus for the department.

employedBy

Fisher, George Clyde, 1878-1949
associated dates: 1924-1941
Fisher had joined the Museum staff as an assistant curator in the Department of Public Education in June of 1913 (1, 1914 p. 44) and was later appointed 'in charge' of the Astronomy department at its inception in 1924. (2, 1925) He assumed the position of Curator of the department of Astronomy and the Hayden Planetarium when it opened in 1935 until 1936. (2, 1936-1937) From 1937 to 1941 Fisher's title was Curator-in-Chief, (2, 1938-1942) and in 1941 he retired to Honorary Curator. (1, 1942 p. 39) He was instrumental in organizing the Planetarium and the Astronomy department (1, 1925 p. 32-34; 1, 1935 p. 15) and was the leader of the 1937 Grace Peruvian Eclipse Expedition.

Hayden Planetarium
associated dates: 1935-present
The Hayden Planetarium opened on October 3, 1935 and provided a physical arena for the education and entertainment programming and exhibits of the Department of Astronomy. With its development, the Department of Astronomy and the Hayden Planetarium became virtually synonymous until 1999.

Hayden, Charles, 1871-1937
associated dates: 1933-1937
Donor and namesake of the Hayden Planetarium.

Osborn, Henry Fairfield, 1857-1935
associated dates: 1924-1935
AMNH president at time of Department inception.

Related Resources

subjectOf

Hayden Planetarium Special Collections
Creator: American Museum of Natural History. Repository: AMNH Special Collections, DR 056 through DR 062, DR 192 through DR 194, DR-H 1 through DR-H 46

---