Under his leadership the institute's art and architecture departments were set up, leading to the competition to design the Brooklyn Institute's new museum (now the Brooklyn Museum), opened in 1897. Until his death in 1914 he continued as director of the institute and "de facto" director of the museum, and chairman of the Committee on Lectures. More departments were opened during his time as director, including the Brooklyn Children's Museum (1899) and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1911). He was a member of the New York City Board of Education and a trustee for the Brooklyn Public Library. He was president of the board of trustees of his "alma mater", Antioch College, from 1901–05.