American Museum of Natural History. Building 1.

Exist Dates

1870 - present

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Building 1 of the American Museum of the Natural History was built from 1874-1877. (1, p. 19) The cornerstone for the Museum's first building at 77th Street is laid by U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. Opened with U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes presiding at a public ceremony on December 22, 1877.

From the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic Designation Report (1990):

New York City Landmark

Architect: Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould

Style/Ornament: Victorian Gothic

Facade: Brick and stone

Number of stories: 5

Window type/material: One-over-one double-hung/wood

Roof type: Peaked and gabled

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report for year 1921. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1922.

(2) American Museum of Natural History. Annual Report for years 1877-1878. New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1978.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

Gallery
associated dates: 1877-tbd
Historic hall was located on Floor 3. One of the first exhibition spaces in the Museum's Central Park location.

Hall of African Peoples
associated dates: 1968-present
Located on Floor 2.

Hall of Birds of the World
associated dates: 1929-present
Located on Floor 2.

Hall of Geology and Invertebrate Palaeontology
associated dates: approximately 1900-approximately 1950-1952
Historic hall was located on Floor 4.

Hall of Northwest Coast Indians
associated dates: 1896-2018
Located on Floor 1. Many artifacts moved in preparation for renovation in 2018; hall remains open.

Hall of Oil Geology
associated dates: 1955-1962 or 1963
Historic hall was located on Floor 2.

Hall of Vertebrate Origins
associated dates: 1996-present
Located on Floor 4.

Leonard C. Sanford Hall of North American Birds
associated dates: 1902-present
Located on Floor 3.

Lower Hall
associated dates: 1877-tbd
Historic hall was located on Floor 1. One of the first exhibition spaces in the Museum's Central Park location.

Main Hall
associated dates: 1877-tbd
Historic hall was located on Floor 2. One of the first exhibition spaces in the Museum's Central Park location.

Upper Hall
associated dates: 1877-tbd
Historic hall was located on Floor 4. One of the first exhibition spaces in the Museum's Central Park location.

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