Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences
| Formation | June 28, 1816 |
|---|---|
| Extinction | 1837 |
| Purpose | Promotion of arts and sciences |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C, United States |
|
Founder
|
Dr. Edward Cutbush |
|
Main organ
|
Congress |
The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences (1816–1838) was a literary and science institution in Washington, D.C., founded by Dr. Edward Cutbush (1772–1843), a naval surgeon.Thomas Law had earlier suggested of such a society "at the seat of government." It was the first "learned society" established in Washington and was organized on June 28, 1816, sixteen years after the city was occupied, and less than two years after the invasion by the British troops. The second article of its constitution states: "The Institute shall consist of mathematical, physical, moral and political sciences, general literature and fine arts."
It is believed that the formation of the Columbian Institute was a product of the idealism and dreams of the early leaders in Washington, including presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Quincy Adams, who envisioned the city as a "cultural capital spreading enlightenment to the nation by roads, canals, and rivers."
The true origin of the Columbian Institute began on June 15, 1816, with the formation of an association called the Metropolitan Society. The group, totaling 89 residents of the city of Washington, signed a plan to create a living museum of sorts containing "specimens of grains, grasses, fruits, dye-stuffs, medicinal plants and minerals." The group was impressed with the importance of collecting and distributing various vegetable productions of not only America, but other countries. They had an idea to apply to Congress for "the appropriation of about 200 acres of ground, called "the Mall," which was designed in the original plan of the city for a public garden." They also planned to cultivate and plant the seeds and as they multiplied, to distribute them throughout the country and world.
The original subscribers of the Metropolitan Society included Samuel Harrison Smith, Thomas Law, Dr. Alexander McWilliams, Dr. Andrew Hunter and Dr. Edward Cutbush. The members "framed" a constitution, "the draft of which was submitted and unanimously agreed to on August 8, 1816." At that time, the name was changed to the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences.
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