1st museum in NYC

Baker's American Museum; American Musuem; Columbian Gallery of Painting and City Museum; Scudder's American Museum

Description

The museum was moved to a building at the intersection of Pearl and Broad streets by 1794 called the "Exchange". It occupied a thirty-by-sixty foot room with a high ceiling, and later opened a second room including a menagerie.

Established, 1791

The roots of the museum date back to 1791, when the "American Museum" was founded by John Pintard "under the patronage of the Tammany Society." The society opened a museum designed to collect artifacts relating to the events and history of the United States. Originally presented in an upper room of City Hall. It was located at 57 King Street, with Pintard serving as secretary and Gardner Baker (more of a showman between the two) as keeper.

Moved, 1794

The museum moved to the Merchant's Exchange when the room in City hall proved to be too small. The museum was unsuccessful, and the Society severed its connections with it in 1795.

Sold, 1795

It was called "Baker's American Museum" after Baker took control of it from the Tammany Society in 1795. Relying now only on ticket sales to finance operations, he raised admission prices and kept attempting to add new curiosities to draw visitors.

Acquired, 1800

After Baker died in 1798, and his widow died in 1800, the collection was purchased by William I. Waldron. It then came into the hands of painter Edward Savage, who opened the "Columbian Gallery of Painting and City Museum" in 1802, and hired John Scudder to oversee the museum collection.

Purchased, Mar, 1810

After earning money as a seaman, the collection became the property of John Scudder in 1809, and he opened "Scudder's American Museum".

Moved, 1817

The museum moved into part of the City's former poor house in 1817, along with other civic institutions.

Relocated, Dec, 1830

After Scudder died in August 1821, control of the museum fell to his heirs. Scudder's son (John Jr.) eventually became manager of the museum, and moved it into a five-story building on the corner of Broadway and Ann Street (across the street from St. Paul's Chapel) in December 1830.

Sold, 1841

John Jr. was fired after family squabbles in 1831, and later brought back. The family decided to sell the concern to Barnum.

Related People & Organizations

Tammany Hall,The roots of the museum date back to 1791, when the "American Museum" was founded by John Pintard "under the patronage of the Tammany Society."

P. T. Barnum,Scudder's American Museum was a museum located in New York City from 1810 to 1841, when it was purchased by P.T. Barnum and transformed into the very successful Barnum's American Museum.

Related Sites

Royal Exchange-The museum moved to the Merchant's Exchange in 1794 when the room in City hall proved to be too small. The museum was unsuccessful, and the Society severed its connections with it in 1795.

Barnum's American Museum-Scudder's American Museum was a museum located in New York City from 1810 to 1841, when it was purchased by P.T. Barnum and transformed into the very successful Barnum's American Museum.

Timeline

1791

1794

1817

1830

1841

1841 - Sold

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1841 - Sold - Drawings and documents

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Barnum's American Museum, January 29 1853

1830 - Relocated

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1830 - Relocated - Drawings and documents

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Broadway from the park

1828

View of St. Paul's Church and the Broadway stages

1817 - Moved

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1817 - Moved - Drawings and documents

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1825

New York City Hall Park. North end

The poor-house erected in 1735, on the site of the present City Hall

1794 - Moved

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1794 - Moved - Drawings and documents

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The first Merchant's Exchange

1791 - Established

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1791 - Established - Drawings and documents

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1776

Old City Hall, New York

IN THIS PHOTO

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1st museum in NYC

Pictured: Broadway from the park

Trinity Church and Graveyard

Pictured: Broadway from the park

St. Paul's Chapel and Churchyard (Trinity)

Pictured: Broadway from the park

Broadway

Pictured: Broadway from the park

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37-24, 24th St, Suite 102, Long Island City, NY 11101