Page:The museum, (Jackson, Marget Talbot, 1917).djvu/22

4 work of teaching Art, not only to those who know they are interested, but to the school children and others who may be induced to take an interest. If, then, the museum is to fulfil its greatest function, in bringing its treasures into the lives of all the people, the first and most important consideration in choosing a site is, how easily will it be accessible to the majority of people who will visit the museum? In certain unfortunate cases it has been deemed wise or expedient to choose a position far from the centre. Let us consider, for a moment, the Boston Museum. When the old building in Copley Square was put up, a plot of ground considered sufficient for an indefinite growth was bought. With streets on either side and in front, it was hoped that the museum would be safe. With the rapid growth of the city the situation became more and more intolerable. It was accessible; yes, too accessible. The street cars, which passed the front door, and the trains, which stopped at the station almost immediately behind the Museum, brought not only vibration, but dust, which it was impossible to combat. Then, again, the changing character of Copley Square made the danger from fire such that the situation was no longer considered safe. Land values in the meantime had increased so much that by selling their holdings in that place and buying in a less