American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Department of Astronomy 1924-1999; Division of Mineralogy, Geology, Geography and Astronomy: Department of Astronomy 1924-1935
birth: 1924
death: 1999
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).
1924The Department of Astronomy was instituted as part of the Division of Mineralogy, Geology and Geography. (1, 1925 p. xix) Department of Public Education Curator Clyde Fisher was put ‘in charge’ of the fledgeling Astronomy department and an Astronomy room was put on exhibition. This contained paintings and photographs and both anticipated and benefitted from public interest in astronomical matters due to the upcoming 1925 eclipse. (1, 1925 p. 32-33) Meteorites in the collection were displayed in other Museum spaces. (1, 1925 p. 33) Descriptive plans, anticipated costs, and an advisory committee for the erection of an Astronomy Hall are presented in the Annual Report for the year 1924 (1, 1925, p. 34)
1930Clyde Fisher travels to Germany to view and research the Zeiss planetarium technology. Studies were subsequently begun for the plans of a building to house a space similar to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. (1, 1931 p. 52) This planning work would continue into the next year (1, 1932 p. 60)
1933Charles Hayden donates funds for the purchase of a Zeiss Projection Planetarium and Copernican Planetarium (1, 1934, p. 3; 1935 p. 28, p. 87).
1935On October 3, the Hayden Planetarium opened to the public, with Clyde Fisher as curator of the Department of Astronomy and Hayden Plantarium. (1, 1936 p. 38) At this point the Department of Astronomy effectively merged with the Planetarium activity. Curators would continue to hold dual responsibility for the Department of Astronomy and the Hayden Planetarium until the establishment of the Department of Astrophysics in 1999.