Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/265

 THE EARLIER BUILDINGS 231 territory known as the Mississippi Valley of the Northwest! This made a deep impression on my young mind, and I have lived to see our city grow from a little over fifteen thousand then to over fifteen hundred thousand; and today the evidences are stronger than ever of the final and full realization of my father's confident predictions Thirty years ago my warm personal friend, Robert Kennicott, came back from the Arctic Ocean full of zeal and enthusiasm for the establishment of a grand museum for the Northwest in Chicago. He had spent four very success- ful years in that far northern country, under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution and the Chicago Audubon Club, making scientific collections and establishing a system in connection with all the agencies and employees of the great North American fur companies, from whom many things have since been received. His friends were fully imbued with the importance of prompt action, resulting in Chicago's first scientific museum. During all those years I never could relinquish the idea that here in our city was the best location, west of the Alleghany Mountains, for a great museum of natural history, and from the sad experience of many years it seemed evi- dent that it would be of the most value in connection with some great insti- tution of learning, whose professors and teachers would take a warm and active interest in its welfare, making it attractive and popular, and whose students would carry the knowledge of its existence and scientific value to all parts of the country. It would thus have the largest field of usefulness and be of the greatest benefit to mankind. No museum not so connected could by any possibility ever hope to bless so large a clientage. These facts would influence owners of valuable scientific collections to make such an institution their per- manent depository, and in the end all that was of a scientific interest would find a home under its roof. When this University was first thought of, it seemed that the time for successful action had come, and I resolved that, if in any way it could be accomplished, there should be a suitable fireproof building erected for this purpose wherever this institution should finally locate. After these grounds were selected, another and very important reason was presented why the University should have a museum building at once. The great Columbian Fair was going to be held here, and of necessity there would be a large amount of scientific material which could be retained here if there was a suitable fire- proof home provided and the proper effort made to secure it. With this in my mind, the building was undertaken and has been com- pleted; and I now, Mr. President, tender it to the Board of Trustees, and with it go my warmest good wishes for the most perfect triumph of the University of Chicago. In accepting the gift, President Harper said: We receive tonight from the hands of its donor, for the future use of the University, this magnificent building, and in assembling, under these circum- stances, we celebrate its formal opening. By the generous gift of one man the