Alfred Carlton Gilbert shared his dreams with America's children. He built a world of learning tools. He encouraged active inquiry and adventurous discovery. The Hall of Science was both a place and an idea: give children the right tools, the children will educate themselves. The Eli Whitney Museum celebrates that vision and achievement.
September 17th, 1941
Hello!
To the Boys and Girls of America
The Gilbert Hall of Science is yours from this hour on. For me it is a dream come true -- for you I hope it will be an inspiration, a guiding line in the middle of that seldom smooth road which leads the young and struggling engineer, chemist, railroad builder, scientist, research worker... to studying and learning, ever striving, that success at the end of the road is the only true success. Every student and builder who works for the sake of humanity finds in the end that he has worked mightily for himself, too.
Adapted from dedication address by A.C. Gilbert at the opening of the Gilbert Hall of Science, New York City
