Ralph Butterfield of the Class of 1839 gave gifts to the college that provided for instruction in paleontology, archaeology, ethnology, and related subjects, and for the erection of a building to keep, preserve, and exhibit his and other museum material illustrating those fields. Butterfield Museum, formerly standing at the northern end of the college green, was built in 1896 and until 1928 housed specimens now displayed in this building and provided classroom space and laboratory facilities for the natural science departments until their expanding needs made necessary a newer and larger building.