the museum began as the boston society of natural history in 1830, founded by a collection of men who wished to share scientific interests. their first meeting was held on february 9, 1830 with seven original members in attendance: walter channing, benjamin e. green, george hayward, john ware, edward brooks, amos binney, and george b. emerson. it was more commonly called the boston museum of natural history in the 19th century, and this name occurs frequently in the literature. in 1862, after the society had gone through several temporary facilities, a building was constructed in the back bay area of the city and dubbed the "new england museum of natural history." the museum was located next to the original rogers building of the massachusetts institute of technology (mit), and both neoclassical structures were designed by william g. preston. the original mit building was demolished in 1939, but the natural history museum building survives today, as a home furnishings showcase.