Founded by Marshall Field 1893
Marshall Field endowed the museum with one million dollars at its founding, though he was reluctant to do so, saying "I don't know anything about a museum and I don't care to know anything about a museum. I'm not going to give you a million dollars." He relented when the railroad supplies magnate Edward E. Ayer convinced him that the museum would be his everlasting legacy. Now that the Marshall Field's department store chain has been bought by Macy's, and all the stores renamed, it appears that Ayer was correct.
Founded by Marshall Field 1893
Marshall Field endowed the museum with one million dollars at its founding, though he was reluctant to do so, saying "I don't know anything about a museum and I don't care to know anything about a museum. I'm not going to give you a million dollars." He relented when the railroad supplies magnate Edward E. Ayer convinced him that the museum would be his everlasting legacy. Now that the Marshall Field's department store chain has been bought by Macy's, and all the stores renamed, it appears that Ayer was correct.