The American Museum of Natural History and How It Got That Way

Davey has been a fan of the museum since he was a child, and his love for the museum and planetarium led to the writing of this book. Not a coffee table book full of illustrations, this is instead a book about the many people who made the museum a reality. From the earliest dreams to create a repository for wondrous things, up to the architects, financiers, visionaries, explorers and collectors that made the American Museum of Natural History one of the most famous and beloved museums in the world

If "The American Museum of Natural History and How It Got That Way" missed any aspect of or failed to uncover any interesting detail on this museum, I can't imagine what that might be. Well written and beautifully organized, anyone with a question about or interest in the AMNH will doubtless find what they are looking for in the pages of this book.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, Netgalley.com and Fordham University Press. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.

The only thing more interesting than a museum is it's history. How it came to be and grew until no trip to New York City is complete without stopping there for a visit.

The history of AMNH is as rich as it's collection and Mr. Davey has done a wonderful job of pulling together it's story. For a museum fan like myself, it was almost like being given the keys to the collection itself!

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

Goodreads Rating: 4 stars

I've always loved museums and their history, so I was quite excited to see this. When I first scrolled through my Galley copy, I was worried that the book would be too technical, or too reliant on the reader already being familiar with the museum itself--but that was thankfully not the case! It was engaging and not at all technical and helped give me an appreciation for the process of establishing a museum.

Davey constructs a comprehensive history of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) from its first inklings through to modern day revampings of exhibits and the planetarium. He does so by combing through immense amounts of primary sources, citing letters, figures, and speeches from museum board members about how to best expand and fund the museum. It gives a human connection to what might have been a very dry timeline of facts and figures.

The little maps of the museum, showing the new buildings added, were immensely helpful to understanding how the museum grew--Davey definitely wants this to be accessible to more than just frequent museum goers. I have never been to the AMNH, or New York itself, but I easily understood what buildings faced what and where exhibits ended up.

In addition to the general museum history, Davey provides deep dives into the dinosaur exhibits, the history of the Peary Arctic Expedition, and the Akley African Expeditions. Both of the expeditions were heavily funded and influenced by the museum and it's members, bringing back and influencing key exhibits. These are the only bits dedicated to the collections/exhibits--if you are wanting a detailed history of these, this isn't where to look; rather, it's a history of the museum building, first and foremost.

The book closes out with a comprehensive history of the Hayden Planetarium (now the Rose Center) and its history of exhibits over the years.

This was a very enjoyable read, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in the AMNH itself, museums in general, or architecture.

The American Museum Of Natural History And How It Got That Way
by Colin Davey
2019
Empire State Editions/ Fordham University Press
5.0 / 5.0

When I visited NYC years ago, one of the things I most enjoyed were the museums. One of my favorites- and most interesting, to me-was the American Museum of Natural History. When I saw this book available as an ARC, I was excited and pleased to be sent an e-book copy.

The history of the museum, founded by Albert S. Bickmore in 1872, is as fascinating as the exhibits. The site finally chosen for the museum was then known as Manhattan Square (renamed Theodore Roosevelt Park in 1958)and was located on Eighth Ave., now known as Central Park West. Architects Vaux and Mould began plans for a 14th Century gothic style building. The museum opened in December 1877 to sold out seats and a private tour given to President Hayes. The first wing would be named The Bickman Wing, after its founder.
There were many challenges in keeping this museum going and growing.

Each chapter centers on different Halls or displays. The origins, influences, and ideas that came together to make these exhibits. The detailed history, central to the museum, was detailed and engaging. The lives of Bickmore, Jessop and Osborn were central and influential in the building of the museum. The dinosaur collection, the largest in the world, draws the most attendance. The Hall of North American Birds and the Hayden Planetarium (since demolished and rebuilt as the Rose Center for Earth and Science) are also amazing stories.

This is well
written and researched, the history is so influential and inspiring. Thanks to Fordham University Press and the author for sharing this e-book ARC.
#TheAmericanMuseumOfNaturalHistoryAndHowItGotThere
#NetGalley

The American Museum of Natural History and How it Got That Way is a solidly informative piece of work that concisely explains, well, how the museum got that way. Davey starts at the very beginning, when the museum was just an idea, before any land was broken, stone shaped, or specimen shot. He works through the various proposed sites and competing concepts (such as a separate Paleozoic Museum), explains how the destruction by fire of the Barnum museum influenced things, and also presents men of vision and money and competing agendas, as well as a few who were more than a little corrupt. I had no idea, for instance, that the notorious Boss Tweed was so involved early, though of course it makes sense given his power and the timing.

Once the museum opens in 1877 (there’s a nice digression tale about the hunt for the long-lost time capsule), Davey goes through the successive directors and wings/buildings as they’re constructed, such as the Roosevelt Memorial entrance/rotunda, the Akeley African Hall, the famed dinosaur exhibits and the Hayden Planetarium, closing with an epilogue that looks forward to the upcoming Gilder Center addition.

Along the way we follow a few of the various expeditions that stocked the Museum. Such as Peary’s trips to Greenland (an exhibition that brought the world’s largest asteroid to the gallery)and his many attempts to reach the North Pole or safaris to Africa (one of the truly moving stories in this book) to bring back elephants and gorillas, among other specimens. To be honest, I wish we had delved into those expeditions a bit more fully, and others as well, such as Chapmans’ Asian forays, which are touched upon but only briefly. The same is true for the construction of the exhibits themselves—I would have like more about their design, planning, execution, such as how the great blue whale was hung for instance. We do learn some of this, such as the use of habitat dioramas, but I could have done with more. That complaint, however, is also a bit of praise, in that it shows how engaging Davey s text is that I wished for more of it. The writing is fluid and inviting throughout, and Davie does a nice job of always bringing us back to a human touch amidst the history and dates and floor plans and the like. For anyone who has ever wandered the sprawling halls of this great institution with wander-filled eyes, this is an interesting foray into how it came to be. 3.5 stars

In order to truly enjoy a museum and its contents, I believe it’s also important to know and understand the history of the museum itself. How it was conceived, the challenges that were faced, how items were chosen and ultimately displayed, and the people who made it all happen.

Colin Davey’s book, The American Museum of Natural History and How it Got that Way is truly all-encompassing. He reveals this dynamic and famous museum in a way that brings it to life: from floorplans and history, to stories about key exhibits and the men who kept it growing and changing.

Davey has written a well-researched book about one of the most well-known museums in the world. It will be inspiring.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

The American Museum of Natural History and How It Got That Way by Colin Davey is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This is certainly the book for any those who love history. I have always wanted to visit this giant time capsule but haven't made it yet.
This book is great in taking the reader through all the aspects of getting the Museum and land and all the problems that went with it. There were unique politically instances, Mason traditions for the cornerstone, and all the expansions. There are many significant expeditions described that lead to more treasures added to the growing collection and expanding museum. (This was my favorite section.) I really didn't understand just how big it really is! The book is divided into two parts and part one starts a bit slow but hang in there, it gets better and the wealth of information is great!

As a New Yorker The American Museum of Natural History is an iconic New York museum one m family loved to visit.This fascinating book shares with us so many facts about the museum its layout special exhibits ba real treat of a read for me.Thanks @netgalley @fordhamuniv.press

I have visited the American Museum of Natural History many times both as a student and later as a teacher. It was always one of the most anticipated trips of the school year and never a disappointment.
After reading this book, I have gained an even deeper appreciation of this museum especially in terms of its historical significance and all those that shaped it throughout the years. This book would be great to use as a supplement when teaching the history of New York and perhaps even before visiting the museum itself.

I don't read a lot of non-fiction but this was an interesting background for the famous New York City Museum. Opening in 1869, visitors have watched it grow to what is now a mammoth structure. The book is divided into sections and how each new president expanded not only the building but the collection and concept as well. History fans will love this book. Full of facts and drawings. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Fascinating Historical Record and Very Readable
This wonderful history of the American Museum in NYC could be dry reading for some, but I loved it. Besides getting to know the 'movers and shakers' over the past 150 years, we also get a fun glimpse into the lives of those persons. It is hard to imagine a time when the boroughs were separate cities and there was plenty of open land all around. The book helps us to imagine a Manhattan Island that is so undeveloped that they just mark multiple sections of land for different projects. Do you want a world-class park? Take these 2 sections and a bit more. We'll put a museum across the street here and a zoo over there. It is like Sim City! I found it fascinating.

I've never been to the museum this book discusses, but if I ever do get to go, I'll be looking at it with a different perspective. I love museums, not only for the knowledge they hold but also for their history. Knowing how this one came to be fascinated me. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that there was once a time that discovery and knowledge were socially important and explorers would undergo brutal challenges to bring back specimens.
I found the politics of the museum's origins a little dry, but still interesting how one man's agenda could be pushed through while another is ignored for decades.

I'm glad I was granted a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review. I learned a great deal and was entertained in the process.

This is a fascinating account of how the American Museum of Natural History took shape, which I found particularly interesting as I have visited this museum on several occasions. As a visitor you are so intrigued by and in awe of the collections, you don't stop to think about the history of the buildings or how the museum itself came to be, and this book fills in those gaps.

There is a wealth of information in these pages, and a ton of interesting facts which have obviously been well-researched, and I would recommend this to anyone, regardless of whether they have visited the museum or not. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of new York's most famous institutions.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Highly detailed, and well-written history of one of the most popular destinations in New York, from the 19th century to the present day. Very informative about all aspects - the plans, the buildings, the expeditions, everyone involved. Would highly recommend this to anyone interested in natural history, the history of natural history, museums; in fact, anyone. From early days its role as an educational resource was important; and it was fascinating to read about the battle between those who felt it should be closed on Sundays (it being the Sabbath), and those who wanted it opened for the workers who only had one day off - Sunday, and wanted to experience it. We also see the total shift from collecting specimens to stuff (including Mountain Gorillas!!!) to conservation.

The interesting history of the museum of natural history. I highly recommend it. Very detailed and beautiful. Not a coffee table book, but quite the amazing read!

This book is filled with so much information and illustrations about The American Museum of Natural History. I highly recommend reading it before visiting the museum. This is a book that you will want to add to your permanent collection.

An absolutely fascinating read! Recommend for fans of history, New Yorkers, and intersections of both.

The book was fantastic. I had the honor and pleasure to frequently visit there on trips to my grandparents in NYC. So I could imagine many of the wings and items pretty vividly.
The writing was great. I think the sections were great, going into details of how certain items ended up there and how the dioramas were set up. Fascinating to read all the history. I had never really stood still about how for instance the meteors actually got to the museum.
Even if you have never visited the museum, if you are a history buff, or museum fan, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Who doesn't love a good museum? This book almost gave me the experience of being there. I felt like I was getting a private guided tour.. It was very readable and packed with information and a wonderful reading experience. Highly recommended.

Great book for someone who is interested in museums or interested in the American Museum of Natural History.

This book is a very interesting read. It tells the history of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. There are also many pictures in the book, which makes it even more fun. The author goes in-depth on the history. I recommend this book for people who have been in New York City or who will go, or to people who are interested in history.

Though I have never visited the Museum of Natural History, I was able to appreciate how the museum came to fruition. This book takes us along from land acquisition, to controversies, to building, to expanding. I know that when I finally visit the museum I will have a greater appreciation for not just the exhibits, but the museum itself.