Museum of Fine Arts is incorporated.

Founded by John Bradlee, Martin Brimmer, Charles Eliot, Samuel Eliot, George Emerson, William Endicott Jr., Henry Kidder, Otis Norcross, Francis Parker, Charles Perkins, William Rogers, and Benjamin Rotch, it is located initially on the top floor of the Boston Athenaeum at 10 1/2 Beacon Street. Its purpose is “To afford instruction in the fine arts.” Gen. Charles Loring becomes the first curator in July 1876 and is named the first director in April 1887. The museum moves to a new building (first) in Copley Square in 1876,* and to its current location (second) in the Fenway in 1909.*