Fas Ss
i & = eS
By

Be seman sesh

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
Bulletin 80

A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE BUILDING
RECENTLY ERECTED FOR THE DEPARTMENTS
OF NATURAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED
STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

BY

RICHARD RATHBUN

Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Charge
of the United States National Museum

WASHINGTON f
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1913

CONTENTS

LSE TSIM ES i at DP ge) PLE yd RP CEI a A De) Rea
Legislation, action by the Regents, progress of the work .............-..-----
ECE AERP LILLIE S252), so) hata brs Cate ae aes Se ew Se
Menem cescripton of the building. 2-.-.-//.-2222)-11 APs. 22.- ately.
SIRINE MEL 70 Ship oats A ie ant ee he TIS See seh ak ope ate

SeenigOns GNC Ora ed). ir sas setts adie oeies eee erence teas plete ec axe

Bert DAVLMOn ANC TOUINGS ai aoe oo te Noe ais oe ayers wn apis

BIE REE ISPOATN S02 Jeera Mic dkicly:s'a.e p3,> 0/e via whe aiclnie Soe s's ce mies Smale meres
iter walleiof the wines and ranges-.2 6... ee eee ek eon needs
BATS tn) irs Steal e Sh hs ania sc! cin inin eset a alaiai we wc nidelgee emcsan ete
Interior structural features and roofs of the wings and ranges. ..............--
momehiorot tho several Stories: 12 see es sisi <jalet ole e wee de en ccemeesee ns
en RAN Ye UEME INET ra taisi we Weel alos te a bare Opel ele GAG a lw eid cal sone
Interior of the south pavilion and the rotunda............-....-------+-------
IDETOTO VATIEN AUC ORMAR HS 2 oka ca tela aking aa adnate Sree'ocad= +.
Pavilion and rotunda above the ground story...............-..----.------
NIN en CCE a so ek So ea eS Le hide ee ita ania nd a ua
manmnenirance, vestibule and lobby... ..-.. ..- 6-022 262--2.6.0-- Sete w ewes ns
Beene eA ATIC INGOLIO? SIMI alas es Laie bo Ane Napa wie steele oe.
aerate, Colne Nghia. (sass ede hea el ak de ea aa
NIISIOR OL CE SHGTIO: aout. faa Su eat ec dete wiailiie sia obin et Sago ae
pe ME UC. CONTI DNS ile soaks Sala wks ale teal a culate
(SECU Pe SEE Ga MARS SE CoN Sed set) SAR EN ig aS
MOE Oh eit AMR KN AS A oa UR Ms Ac aU Ne, Ne Sh
TS AEDT ER OAT Set an RO es Le PRNREOMS EEG CLaR Ex OL Sap) OR PAL SW

RATER Ve hE oh fa Ao DAL Oe StI ni oh otra ea win oS oy
RIMS LU LOTION, CLG 75 6c) tt tac oeeee Bae ae yiha yaw a'cialetd gaia
PURITY Bhanas sc oM asa \5 wel dein ns Mees Sa dhe winte le senha sicnS oa alse meee ee
uOIes ECM IBe IE! 0522 ha NES altos Boul et Woe ea uP eke ce lena eo
Character and layout of the machinery plant..............-.--.-.---+----
Steam generating and heating equipment. ..............-....-..+---.--
PeCULLenL CON Mena) oc emeathe a isa, Sabre Belang ob a eRe aca laee aja Ne
OSIRIA LOI oc cea tide. a ere a I est NY Seu apres tok
Pete AD CHIC CXPULDINGN Ne sient ta Mel wie. wc wi aie eta et ae we bn aaa
PERE ICG... (0 Ae nce eee a eas Lh. aoe ae ee ee pak ies Sala
DEGUAneICle BOTVICMS Hott teu at OT ee aA i cla tala
TL OGL) ot 2 MI aS RN: 2S SR OA ee eR ALE | Be chee Re, SE
ANSON f\cci ifsc) dc! of aoe aie eG A RE aR Do Ate Ae ee Ee
Vacuum cleaning. ............. Pe eee athaehe AN a tala gare apenas 2 SLC
MBNA nent eso cev Ae Nr Sg Ann a a HS EN OE cla
POIRIRIN EN WAtHE RORVICO S.Ct ert oe oe ea ee re hae aisle

Water connections and sewerage. . 5... sces sce e neces nt eweeredsseee
3

Index... 2... .cccecccccncccescc cece cen e nee n nn ene eee n ence cena cennss

Interior of the finished building, its arrangement, dimensions, equip ent
and (Ses! Led ee eee ae a Bi Me ats ae ee) Gey on oe .
General account Stereo eee Be ee ge OMS, WIE ast yada
Ground story2i2 Yo2 eo oeeeeee ee By Lege Se NE YR ETE GT ine ee Ey
First story and south tea De UE Pigs Nest Pee AM ea gL pn al, eae aa
Second storys ee ee Teer ete EEA EA) te ae site
hird stonyess 22222 -e ee ae eee ee Beene te a ae
Attic stoty': 1/2 26 Shs eee tial Reo eles ete ere ne
Tnterior measurements of the buitldime Lon peewee i
Available floor space of the building..........-.. RR A ea
Division of space by stories.....-...-..--.------ Pere aadee:
Apportionment of space by subjects..........-.-...- ae

ILLUSTRATIONS
Facing page
Seeiwormaim front of buildings... .025) 2.228.227) {eek we dee eke 7
. Plan of Smithsonian Park, showing location of all buildings............... 15
. South front of building and outer end of east wing, viewed from the south-

Ree cre ats rahi ia, aS Salaam Ce = < <.ciniand vod gets Od deataiain eats alk siete Raa cla 18
Serta Woe Ionte. of DUUNdING. .. 2.05.4... /2 0 oo eles ces owen 20
. South pavilion, rotunda, portico and approach ................22.......- 24
. North pavilion, showing north entrance doorways in ground story......... 32
. West court, looking toward the south pavilion and rotunda............... 32
. Auditorium, in ground story of the south pavilion................2....... 42
. Interior of the south pavilion and rotunda...................2.......---- 46
ERIE MIME TC SUETIERND WT cht 2 aiecsla'e gis pda atm bec ose BS Fe eae ook Dee 54
. Central hall, east wing, first story, showing light well and ceiling light... 58
. Plan of ground story, east wing, showing layout of steam and electrical

RIE TR isa OMe sre ede os eu Oh a lg 80
meemtral ball; north wing, pround story :.:......-..-...2.0.. 0626s cececeees 104
. East range, ground story. Laboratory, fossil vertebrates................. 104
. West range, ground story. Storage of mammals......................---- 104
. West wing, ground story. Laboratory, marine invertebrates.............- 104
. Alcoholic specimen room, west wing, ground story.............-..-.----+- 108
. Picture gallery, central hall, north wing, first story.................----.- 114
. East range, first story. Exhibition of ethnology.....................----- 114
. East wing, second story. One of the side halls. Exhibition of minerals

and GEMB----- es ee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee eee 114
. East wing, third story. Laboratory, fossil invertebrates. . aes Parag Pe
. North wing, third story, showing use of wide hall for Biarane puss: See 116
. East range, third story, showing use of corridor for storage purposes. .--- - - 116
. Attic stcry, west wing, showing construction features and methods of

PERSIEREE ate v ti hed crate eta ares eae bo rac mle sR Manat wo = Rane ROLL CLs 21 116
eemeneecround story of building: 2.202.222.2202 00.22 seek eee eevee sone 126
Pent Bory Of Diilding.. 2.250.242 .5.-2.5..2 kee. ele ee eed ood e re 126
Peet eacond tory or building. 2.2/5.7)... 6020 Sobel ec ls elena. 126
PeMEMROD LITE SuOE MOM DULIdiNg: 202i Sc kes) Sinn oda od ban abe eee ee oe 126
prreeta oO UCIC HUGE Ol pL 2 erent oe sad cs 2 dob een aiele'e aioe a aalers 126
. South and north elevations of building......................2.220-20-00-- 126
Ree AON OL DURA 2) UC eae oe oe ee on i a 126
. Section of building on north and south axis....................--..+--+-- 126
. Section of building on north and south line through the east court......-.. 126
. Section through south pavilion and rotunda on east and west axis......... 126

Vz

BULLETIN 80 PL. 1

NATIONAL MUSEUM

U. S.

“ONIGIING JO LNOY4 NIV) YO

HLNOS

A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE BUILDING RECENTLY
ERECTED FOR THE DEPARTMENTS OF NATURAL HISTORY
OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

By RicHarp RATHBUN

Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Charge of the United
States National Musewm

INTRODUCTION

The building recently erected in the Smithsonian Park in Wash-
ington for the natural history collections of the United States Na-
tional Museum, as the latest of the great museum buildings of the
world, and embodying many new and important features, has at-
tracted wide attention and given rise to repeated inquiries regarding
its construction and arrangement. The present paper has been pre-
pared to meet this demand, a demand largely inspired by the excep-
tional activity in museum enterprise which for several years past
has prevailed throughout the country.

Of the two older buildings, now to be devoted in greater part to
the arts and industries and American history, a descriptive account
was given in the annual report of the National Museum for 1903.

By the terms of its fundamental act, dated August 10, 1846, the
Smithsonian Institution was made the custodian of the national col-
lections which virtually had their beginning in the results of the
United States Exploring Expedition around the world from 1838 to
1842. This act provided that the Board of Regents “ shall cause to
be erected a suitable building, of plain and durable materials and
_ structure, without unnecessary ornament, and of sufficient size, and
with suitable rooms or halls, for the reception and arrangement, upon
a liberal scale, of objects of natural history, including a geological
‘and mineralogical cabinet; also a chemical laboratory, a library, a
_ gallery of art, and the necessary lecture rooms;” and further, “ that,
in proportion as suitable arrangements can be made for their recep-
tion, all objects of art and of foreign and curious research, and all
objects of natural history, plants and geological and mineralogical
specimens, belonging, or hereafter to belong, to the United States,
which may be in the city of Washington, in whosesoever custody the
same may be, shall be delivered to such persons as may be authorized
by the Board of Regents to receive them, and shall be arranged in
such order, and so classed, as best to facilitate the examination and

1The United States National Museum: An Account of the Buildings occupied by the
National Collections. By Richard Rathbun. Pages 177-309, with 29 plates.

8 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

study of them, in the building so as aforesaid to be erected for the
Institution.” To the subjects specifically enumerated in the act, the
Regents, under plenary powers granted them, added ethnology and
antiquities, inventions, and the arts and manufactures.

The Smithsonian building was not finished until 1855, although
collections from Government expeditions and other sources began to
be received and cared for in one of the wings as early as 1850. The
transfer of the national collections which had previously been pre-
served in the Patent Office building did not take place until 1858,
however, owing to delays in preparing for their accommodation. The
space provided in the building for museum purposes comprised, be-
sides limited storage and laboratory facilities, only a single large hall,
but in this the public installation, soon arranged, formed an exception-
ally important exhibition for that time. Even at that period, how-
ever, these collections were growing rapidly, mainly in the line of
natural history, and, spreading beyond their allotted boundaries, they
encroached so constantly upon the area originally designed and used
for the library, the gallery of art and public lectures, that by 1875
the Museum was occupying the entire main part of the building and
its western wing, leaving for other purposes of the Institution only
the eastern wing and portions of the large towers.

At this period, 1876, occurred the Centennial Exhibition at Phila-
delphia, the first of the large international expositions to be held in
this country, and through its direct participation in that great dis-
play of the world’s products and activities the Museum was afforded
the opportunity for establishing an epoch record in the matter of
acquisitions. So extensive, in fact, were the contributions made
gratuitously to this Government by both foreign and domestic exhib-
itors, whose interests had been enlisted in the welfare of the Museum,
that they practically filled the so-called Armory building in Wash-
ington, which had been secured for their temporary storage. The
importance of these additions to the national collections, which
related chiefly to the arts and industries of America, Europe and the

Orient, was recognized by Congress in 1879 in the provision for the ©

erection of the one story brick structure which stands adjacent to the
Smithsonian building. Whatever may be its architectural short-
comings and its deficiencies in laboratory and storage accommoda-
tions, this building, completed in 1881, furnishes most excellent
exhibition halls to the extent of slightly more than two acres.

In the two buildings thus made available, the older collections were
readjusted and the later accessions were installed, but while the floor
space had been much more than doubled in extent, its inadequacy to
meet the demands was soon apparent. As early as 1883, therefore, the
Board of Regents was led to urge upon Congress the erection of a
third building, but, although this request, was several times renewed,

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 9

it was not until a decade ago that favorable action was obtained. In
the meantime the collections continued to increase steadily, and the
buildings to become more and more crowded, until finally the neces-
sity arose for renting extensive outside quarters in which immense
quantities of specimens were stored in bulk, subject to deterioration
and in constant danger of destruction by fire.

The conditions had, in fact, reached a critical stage when, in 1902,
Congress made provision for the preparation of plans, and the fol-
lowing year authorized the construction of the building which had
been so earnestly awaited. Designed on a liberal scale, and as a
permanent and monumental feature of the Capital, its completion
was not, effected until June, 1911, although its occupancy was begun
at a considerably earlier date. In the matter of accommodations and
appointments, to which long and careful consideration had been
given, it appears to be greatly in advance of all other museum build-
ings intended for a similar purpose, and in every respect to be
worthily adapted for housing and exhibiting the collections of a
great country. The building marks the beginning of a new era in
the history of the National Museum, through the unrivaled condi-
tions presented for the arrangement, care and safety of the collec-
tions, for their unrestricted study in the advancement of knowledge,
and for their use in promoting the interests of public education.

The growth of the national collections has been most pronounced
in the lines of natural history, including primitive man, for the
reason that, while only very limited means have been available for
acquiring examples of the arts of civilization, the Government sur-
veys and explorations directed toward the discovery and development
of the natural resources of the country and the study of the habits
and conditions of the American aborigines have been constant and
prolific contributors since the early part of the last century. The
influx of material from these sources, often operating beyond the
confines of the United States, supplemented by many thousands of
gifts and exchanges, has built up collections illustrative of nature
and of early man which are scarcely if at all surpassed in any other
country. Comprising several millions of specimens and several hun-
dreds of thousands of distinct species and forms, they derive their
chief value from the fact that a large proportion of the material has
served as the basis of extended original researches and discoveries,
making its perpetual preservation a matter of extreme importance.
It is not, however, solely by the possession of such large and valuable
collections that, the natural history departments have attained their
preponderating position in the Museum, but as much by the close
relationship of these departments with important Government work
in progress, work underlying many broad economic problems in
agriculture, in mining, in fisheries, and in Indian affairs, with which
the Museum has been actively associated for over sixty years.

10 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

Asa result of these circumstances the natural history branches have
as a whole become more thoroughly organized than the other branches

and their collections have been more completely classified and ar- —

ranged and more extensively drawn upon for exhibition purposes.
They were also in much greater need of better laboratory and storage
facilities, and their claims were recognized as paramount in designing
the new building, which has been planned almost wholly with ref-
erence to their requirements.

As soon as provision for the new building had been assured steps
were taken to secure at first hand detailed information regarding
all the important museum buildings of Europe and the United States,
which were visited both by Museum officers and by the architects.
The published plans and descriptions obtainable were supplemented
by voluminous notes and many drawings, and it is doubtful if any
structures offering possible suggestions escaped attention. In decid-
ing upon the character and arrangement of space for the building,
however, reliance was mainly placed upon the actual experience of
the Museum staff. The Smithsonian building, to be sure, had been
only in part designed for museum purposes and was put up at a time
when museum needs were but little understood, while the second
building, though possessing many excellent qualities, is rather of
the temporary exposition type. Both, however, have furnished many
valuable object lessons, teaching perhaps more what to avoid than
what to retain, and in the prolonged effort to adapt them to the
storage and exhibition of the constantly overflowing collections it
was but natural that very definite opinions should have been reached
as to the general and detailed requirements of a modern museum.

The earlier plans for the building contemplated somewhat greater
dimensions than had finally to be adopted, the deciding factor in this
regard being the amount of the appropriation. In conjunction with
the architects and the superintendent of construction, the needs of

each branch of the collections and of each distinctive purpose of the __

Museum were carefully and repeatedly considered, and no matters
great or small that concerned the production of a structure intended
to meet the highest ideals of an establishment of this kind failed to
receive their due amount of attention. It is felt that the outcome is
satisfactory and that a great advance in museum architecture has
been achieved.

The size of the building somewhat obscures the fact that its plan
is very simple, and this is one of its most commendable characteristics.

Decorative treatment has been generally avoided in the interior, the

Jighting question has been skilfully handled, and every part of the
structure has been adapted to its particular purpose. While nearly

one-half of the floor space, comprising the principal stories, has been __

ae ree ey PL ey ef ee es Og oe ee Me eo ae ra”

aera ss

allotted to the public, the quarters reserved for the storage of col- eM

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING i E

lections and for the laboratories are spacious and readily accessible,
and by the introduction of a power plant, an auditorium, construction
and repair shops, and many other necessities and conveniences, the
scheme of a perfected museum building appears to have been quite
fully rounded out. For the exterior designs as well as for the more
elaborate features and the harmonious arrangement of the interior,
which have made it one of the most notable structures at the National
Capital, the architects are solely responsible.

Except for delays in securing certain of the structural materials,
which somewhat retarded building operations, the work proceeded
satisfactorily and is entirely of a high standard and permanent
character. It also seems worthy of record that the building was
erected within the amount of the appropriation.

The architects of the building were Messrs. Hornblower & Mar-
shall, of Washington, while the heating, electrical and ventilating
equipment was designed and installed under the supervision of Prof.
‘S$. Homer Woodbridge, of Boston, Mass. The building construction
was, by designation of Congress, directed by Mr. Bernard R. Green,
Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds of the Library of Con-
gress, whose experience especially qualified him for successfully
carrying out this large and somewhat novel undertaking.

In the preparation of this paper, the writer has been dependent
upon others for most of the technical descriptive matter incorporated,
which was submitted to him in the form of two detailed reports,
preserved in the office files. One of these, by Mr. James Millar, for-
merly of the architects’ office, covers the structural details of the
building. The other, relating to the mechanical equipment, is by
Mr. C. R. Denmark, an assistant of Professor Woodbridge during
its installation and at present in charge of its operation, as engineer
of the Museum.

LEGISLATION, ACTION BY THE REGENTS, PROGRESS OF THE WORK

Following the preparation of certain tentative sketches designed
to illustrate the size and character of structure required for housing
the natural history collections of the Government, the matter of pro-
viding an additional building for the National Museum was brought
to the attention of the Fifty-seventh Congress, First Session (1901-2),
in the form of an estimate of appropriation sufficient to cover the
expense of making the necessary preliminary plans. With the in-
formation then available it had been impossible to determine the cost
of such a building, but a limitation in that respect was considered
advisable by Congress and was incorporated in the measure which
passed as an item in the sundry civil act for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1903, in the following terms:

For the preparation, under the direction of the Secretary of the Smith-
sonian Institution, of preliminary plans for an additional fireproof steel-

12 Paes UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

frame brick-and-terra-cotta building, to cost not exceeding one million five
hundred thousand dollars, for the United States National Museum, to be erected
when appropriated for, on the Mall, between Ninth and Twelfth streets west,
said plans when completed to be transmitted by the Secretary of the Smith-
sonian Institution to Congress, five thousand dollars.

From the detailed inquiries which were at once instituted it was
shown that a building of adequate dimensions, even though con-
structed of brick and terra cotta, could not be erected for the sum
stated, at least twice that amount being, in fact, required. The
architects were, therefore, instructed to design a building of the full
size needed, of which approximately one-half could be erected sepa-
rately in a manner to permit of subsequent additions, and to prepare
two sets of plans, one representing the entire building, the other such
part of it as could be completed within the limit of cost prescribed
by the act. This was done and the two sets of plans were designated
by the letters “A” and “B,” respectively.

These plans, together with an explanatory report, were submitted
to Congress on January 23, 1903, accompanied by the following reso-
lution by a special committee of six members of the Board of Regents
appointed “to represent to Congress the pressing necessity of addi-
tional room for the proper exhibition of specimens belonging to the
National Museum”:

That under the limitations of the law the committee hereby report to Con-
gress Plan B for a new National Museum building as the best obtainable for
the amount mentioned; but, in the judgment of the committee, the larger plan,
A, is believed to be the one which should be adopted, and we therefore ask that
Congress shall make the appropriation for it instead of for the smaller plan.

In the hearings before the House and Senate committees on appro-
priations, which were held soon afterwards, the larger building was
urged as a requirement of existing conditions, and also the use of
stone instead of brick and terra cotta for the outer walls, on account
of the conspicuous position to be occupied by the building in one of
the Government parks. Both of these requests were granted, and the
sundry civil act for the year ending June 30, 1904, contained the
following item:

To enable the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to commence the erec-
tion of a suitable fireproof building with granite fronts, for the use of the Na-
tional Museum, to be erected on the north side of the Mall, between Ninth and
Twelfth streets, northwest, substantially in accordance with the Plan A, pre-
pared and submitted to Congress by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion under the provisions of the act approved June twenty-eighth, nineteen
hundred and two, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Said building com-
plete, including heating and ventilating apparatus and elevators, shall cost not
to exceed three million five hundred thousand dollars, and a contract or con-
tracts for its completion is hereby authorized to be entered into subject to ap-
propriations to be made by Congress. ‘The construction shall be in charge of
Bernard R. Green, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, Library of Con-
gress, who shall make the contracts herein authorized and disburse all appro-
priations made for the work, and shall receive as full compensation for his

oe ee ee

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 13

services hereunder the sum of two thousand dollars annually in addition to his
present salary, to be paid out of said appropriations.

Following the passage of this act, the Board of Regents, on March
12, 1903, provided by resolution,

That the Secretary, with the advice and consent of the Chancellor and the
Chairman of the Executive Committee, be authorized to represent the Board of
Regents, so far as may be necessary, in consultation with Bernard R. Green,
to whom the construction and contracts for the new Museum building are
committed by Congress in the act making an appropriation for that purpose.

The preparation of the definite and detailed plans was immediately
taken up by the architects in conjunction with the Museum author-
ities, and although the novel character of the building called for
more than the usual preliminary considerations, the progress of the
work during the early stages was greatly aided by the fact that it
was decided to construct the building in the form of a shell, leaving
nearly all interior dividing walls to be added in a subsidiary way.
At the beginning of the calendar year 1904 the plans had been sufli-
ciently advanced to fix the main lines, the general dimensions and the
architectural design, and at this stage they were, on January 27, 1904,
approved by the Secretary of the Institution in the manner prescribed
by the Board. The elaboration of details naturally continued much
longer, and modifications looking to improvements in both the plan
and the design were suggested and approved from time to time as
the work progressed.

The ground was broken at the site on June 15, 1904, by Secretary
Langley, in the presence of the architects, the superintendent of con-
struction and the officers and employees of the Institution. Address-
ing Mr. Green, he said: “ On behalf of the Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution, with the consent of the Chancellor and of the chairman
of the executive committee, I now authorize you, in accordance with
the act of Congress, to proceed with the construction of the new
building for the United States National Museum, designed to in-
crease and diffuse the knowledge of the arts and sciences among the
people.” The excavation was completed during the summer and the
laying of the foundations on November 9, 1904. No further build-
ing operations were conducted during the fiscal year, but the kinds
of granite to be used for the fronts were selected, and contracts were
concluded for the stone, for the steel frame work for the main floor,
and for much other material.

The first stone, one of the large pieces of the base course in the
east range directly adjoining the north pavilion, was laid on August
21, 1905, and by June 30, 1906, the basement walls and piers and the
steel work and arches of the main floor, except at the north and
south pavilions, had been finished, and work had been commenced on
the court walls of the first story. The laying of the corner stone.
which took place on October 15, 1906, was conducted without cere-

14 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

mony, there being present only the architects, the superintendent of —
construction, and several Museum officers. The stone selected to —
serve this purpose is the base stone at the northeast corner of the
north pavilion and weighs about 19 tons. In a hole cut in the bottom
was embedded a black walnut box, measuring 144 by 114 by 84 inches —
and hermetically sealed in a covering of sheet lead, in which had been ie
placed a number of documents relating to the Institution and to the —
erection of the building, partly in the form of electrotypes and partly —
as matter printed on paper. 8
During the next two years, ending June 30, 1908, all of the outer —
and court walls, except those of the south pavilion and rotunda, the —
erection of which had been retarded by delays in obtaining granite, —
and also the interior structural walls, piers and floors were completed,
and the roof construction was begun. The end of another two years —
found the entire exterior of the building finished, and while much —
remained to be done in the interior of the south pavilion, rotunda and —
auditorium, the wings and ranges composing the main part of the |
building had been wholly in the possession of the Museum during the —
greater part of the year 1909-10. Occupation of the third story was P
obtained on August 10, 1909, and of the other stories on November —
9, following, and the Eeelinnin of the power plant was sufficiently —
sional to start the heating of the building on October 15. i
The laying of the extensive granite approaches at the south en- |
trance, commenced in the spring of 1910, and extended into the sum- —
mer, while the work connected with ihe finishing of the interior of Me
the south pavilion consumed practically the entire year, ending with
the installation of the heavy iron grilles at the entrance on June 20, e
1911, just 7 years and 5 days after the ground had been broken. s
Onis important matters concerning the building and its sur
roundings which the original appropriation was dee to cover
were provided for in the general deficiency act approved June 25,
1910, as follows: 3

Ae
For the completion of the new building of the United States National Museum
and its surroundings, namely, the construction of roads and walks, grading and — as ‘
sodding, construction of a waterproof granolithic platform along the outer walls

of the building, and the painting of the interior walls of the building, to be ex- nN

pended under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Tnetitution,. a
seventy-seven thousand dollars. fe

The work on the grounds, performed under the direction of the i
officer in charge of public buildings and grounds, included the read- —
justment of the main roads where they had been intercepted by t i
building, and the construction of roads to the entrances and | of

sodding and seeding. These improvements, together with the patil
ing of the interior usted walls and iron work, were complenaay In
the autumn of 1911.

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 2

SMITHSONIAN PARK

WHOLESALE MARKET SPACE

U'S-GOVERNMENT RES.

IOTHST

QTHST
;
In

U.S.NATIONAL MUSEUM
NEW BUILDING
NATURAL HISTORY

U.S.NATIONAL MUSEUM
OLDER BUILDING
ARTS AND INDUSTRIES.

PLAN OF SMITHSONIAN PARK, SHOWING LOCATION OF ALL BUILDINGS.

Fa eee eed
Pe he : We are :

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 15

While the materials for the building were obtained on contract, the
major part of the work connected with its erection was conducted
directly by the Government through the employment of labor under

_ the supervision of master mechanics and foremen. A considerable

amount of construction work in certain lines, including the materials,
was, however, performed under contract, comprising the foundations,
the plastering, the roofs in part and the skylights, the stone and con-
crete floors, the Guastavino tile work, the steam and electrical plant,
etc.

The collections of natural history and anthropology destined for
the new building had by June 30, 1912, been practically all trans-
ferred to the more ample accommodations which it affords, leaving
the two older buildings to the occupancy of the departments of arts
and industries and American history, except the upper main hall in
the Smithsonian building, which has been assigned to the division of

- plants.

LOCATION OF THE BUILDING

The longest section of the Mall, bounded on the sides by B Street
north and B Street south, is that lying between Seventh and Twelfth
Streets west. Under the terms of its organic act, the southern half
of this square between Ninth and Twelfth Streets was secured to the
Smithsonian Institution as a site for its building which was centrally
located on this so-called Smithsonian reservation. To the entire
square the terms Smithsonian park and Smithsonian grounds have
for many years been applied, the latter designation being commonly
used in connection with legislative matters. The first of the buildings
erected expressly for the National Museum, the brick structure, was
placed on the same side of the square but farther south. Beginning
about 50 feet from the eastern end of the Smithsonian building, it
extends to Ninth Street, the line of which it slightly overlaps. Still
farther east, at the corner of B Street south and Seventh Street, is
the Army Medical Museum, built a few years later.

As it was important for administrative reasons and for the con-
venience of the public that the new building should be located near
the older ones, and as there was not sufficient space for it in the

southern part of the grounds, it became necessary to look to the

Pe aS ee
— 19

northern side, no portion of which had yet been occupied. The site
chosen is directly in front of the Smithsonian building, the north
and south axes of both buildings corresponding with that of Tenth
Street extended, and the distance between the two being about 725
feet. While both of these structures face the center of the Mall, the
Smithsonian building is parallel with B Street, and the new building
parallels the so-called axis of the Mall, a line drawn from the dome
of the Capitol to the Washington Monument. As a result, the north

16 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

face of the new building is about 25 feet farther from B Street north
at the western corner than at the eastern corner, but in view of the
length of the front this difference is not noticeable on casual observa-
tion. At the middle the distance of the front from the street curb —
is about 64 feet. The main entrance, facing south, is approached by
roads and paths in the Mall, but a secondary public entrance in the
center of the north front gives direct. access from the street, at a

point not far distant from the car lines on Pennsylvania Avenue and

Ninth Street.

The ground in this section of the Mall is much lower along the
northern edge than in the central and southern part, and at the loca- —
tion of the building the natural slope was somewhat pronounced. In
order to obtain the grade established for the building, about 7 feet
above that of the adjacent street, it was necessary to do much exca-
vating, amounting to about 9 feet in depth in the southern part of the —
site but rapidly decreasing toward the north. The grade of thenew —
building is, therefore, considerably below that of the Smithsonian
building, but any objectionable effect which this difference might
otherwise produce is overcome by the embankment left in front of
the south face of the former, reaching well up in the elevation of the
basement. On the north side, viewed from any point in the adjoin- —
ing streets or at a distance, the appearance of the building with
respect both to its grade and to its height is pleasing.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING

In the designing of the building two principal objects were kept
in view, first, to secure the largest possible amount of available space

and, second, to produce a substantial and dignified structure, both —

of which were satisfactorily accomplished. Planned as a great shell, —
the better to meet the requirements for exhibition purposes, the —
building contains few permanent division walls, and by giving excep- _
tional width to the main mass an unusual extent of floor area as —
compared with the extent of the outer walls has been obtained. Other
notable features are the absence of the customary monumental stair- —
case, and the minimizing of dark spaces as also of distracting —
architectural details in the interior. The construction is entirely —
fireproof. |
The building is four stories high, is exposed and finished on all —
sides, and occupies a ground area of nearly four acres. In plan, it —
consists of a large pavilion in conjunction with a rotunda, facing
south, from which three wings extend to the east, west and north
the latter in turn being connected near their outer ends by two
L-shaped ranges, one on each side, so arranged as to complete the —
enclosure of two large courts. The outline produced is rectangular —

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 17

and also symmetrical in that one side of the building exactly dupli-
cates the other. In style, the building is modern classic, showing a
strong French influence in having a mansard roof with dormer
windows over the ranges.

With the exception of this mansard the outer walls are entirely
faced with granite, which in the basement is of a warm gray color,
but in all succeeding stories is nearly a pure white. The basement,
moreover, has a heavily rusticated facade, which serves as a pedestal
member for the upper part of the building on which the surfaces are
smooth. The building is simple and imposing, attracting rather by
the restraint with which the detail is handled than by any elaborated
elegance, and in its main features is strongly suggestive of the pur-
pose for which it was designed. Most noticeable in this respect is
the exceptionally large size of the window piercings in all but the
upper story.

The pavilion which, in connection with the rotunda, forms the
commanding feature of the building, is expressed in the facade by
a projection with a portico supported by eight Corinthian columns,
a range of six in front with two in a second row flanking the main
entrance doorway. The top of the entablature of the portico rises
to the level of the top of the attic story of the wings and above this,
on each of the four longer sides of the pavilion, which is there octa-
gonal in shape, is a large semicircular window, surmounted by a
pediment. Leading to the portico from the driveway in the park is
a broad approach of granite steps with intermediate platform.

Above the basement story the pavilion serves as the outer or
enclosing shell for the greater part of the rotunda, the space between
the two being occupied by galleries built at the levels of the several
floors of the wings. The construction of the rotunda comprises four
great piers of stone so built and placed on the diagonal axes of the
pavilion as to form the shorter sides of an octagonal enclosure, meas-
uring 83 feet 54 inches across. The longer sides consist of arched
and screened openings across which the galleries are thrown, the
arches themselves corresponding to the lines of the semicircular win-
dows of the outer shell. The shorter sides grow into pendentives
supporting a circular drum which breaks through the roof of the
pavilion and is capped by a flat dome.

The wings are of practically the same width as the pavilion. The
fronts of the east and west wings in conjunction with that of the
pavilion compose the main and southern, as also the longest, exposure
of the building. These facades consist of a basement and two stories
below the main cornice and an attic. The window openings except
in the attic story are much wider than the intervening piers and
in the two main stories extend continuously throughout nearly their
combined height. The piers which support the cornice have Tuscan

80120°—Bull. 80—13——2

18 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM —

pilasters on their outer faces, and the secondary cornice crownit
attic is carried by smaller pilasters. ;

The elevation of the ranges, but for the pilasters which are |
lacking, is identical with that of the east and west wings, ex

sard. The ranges are, therefore, subordinated to the wings as _
the wings to the main pavilion.

93 feet 11 inches deep, with the middle part slightly recessed. m
pavilion is treated in a general way like the south front of the w:
but as it is the central feature of the north side of the building an

Tuscan columns. The projection of the east and west wings, which
is 125 feet 2 inches wide, amounts to 30 feet 11 inches. ‘

The heights above grade level of certain prominent structural
tures are as follows: The floor of the south portico and the to
of the water table, 23 feet; the top of the entablature of the portico

| ae the ae of the main cornice in the wings and ranges, 65
5 Garten, of the stone work in the wings, 81 feet 104 inches, a
of the stone work in the ranges, 71 feet 5 inches; the peak oft
roofs in the wings, 96 feet 4 inches, and in the eee 85 feet.

west sides, 313 feet 2 inches. The projections at the center of
north and south fronts increase the depth of the building to 364
6 inches, to which the approaches add (( 0 feet 2 inches of ste

ne the cornice which projects 2 Vedi 4 inches, bersned the v rtica
plane of the outer surface of the basement walls. The face of t
first and second stories, which is uniform throughout, is set bac
1 foot from the face of the basement, and that of the attic s
4 inches more. ;

Below the level of the upper cornice of the wings the Sona

clusive of its side walls, is 118 feet. The east and west wings, m
uring from these walle and including the thickness of eis
walls, are each 221 feet 6 inches long, although from the south »

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

ara <I

| as

BULLETIN 80 PL. 3

SOUTH FRONT OF BUILDING AND OUTER END OF EAST WING, VIEWED FROM THE SOUTHEAST.

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 19

Jength is made to appear somewhat greater, owing to their facades
overlapping the sides of the pavilion where it narrows toward the
front projection. This projection, which amounts to 27 feet 54 inches
: below and 16 feet 3 inches above the water table, is 80 feet 2 inches
wide in the basement and 79 feet 5 inches wide within the portico.
a north wing is shorter than the others, its length being 214 feet
ou inches. The arms of the ranges are all of equal length, and meas-
ure 188 feet from the wings. Their width over the outer and court
alls is 60 feet 10 inches.
_ The two large uncovered courts enclosed by the wings and ranges
4 are 128 feet 2 inches square in the basement story. Their walls are
built of gray-white semi-vitreous brick with belt courses of gray
~ granite, and above the basement, which projects 4 inches, they extend
flush to the top of the upper story.
The granite used for the outer walls of the building is of three

_ kinds, namely, the so-called pink or warm gray variety from Milford,

_ Mass., for the basement story, the water table, and the south ahd
{ north approaches; white granite from Bethel, Vt., for the first and
second stories, the main cornice, and all the alls of the south pa-
_ vilion and rotunda above the basement; and a nearly white granite
3 _ from Mount Airy, N. C., for the attic ee) As a rule the stone is

Taid i in regular foetal courses, among the few exceptions being

the low arches over the basement windows. Above the base course
and the course next following it to the water table it is cut with
- rusticated horizontal and arch stone joints, the raised faces, except
_ the projecting key stone of the window arches, having a picked sur-
_ face. Otherwise, the surfaces are essentially smooth, being 4-cut in
the basement, including the water table; 6-cut for the first and second
stories and the south approach; and 4-cut everywhere above the main
cornice and the cornice of the south pavilion.

Back of the granite the walls consist of hard-burned red brick,
followed by an inner facing of porous hollow brick to provide a
_ damp proof and dry non-heat conducting lining. This construction,
which is also followed in the court walls, includes vertical chases,

_ 9 inches wide and 8 inches deep, extending from the foundations to

the attic and designed for the vertical distribution of pipes, wires,
i. ete. As a rule, there are two such chases in each of the wall piers
between windows.

_ The roofs of the wings and ranges are relatively low, and such
. slopes as are visible from the surrounding park and streets, as also

the roofs and dome of the main pavilion and rotunda, are covered
with a light green slate. The remaining parts of the roofs, aside
_ from the skylights, are copper covered.

In the general absence of interior structural walls, it has been neces-
_ sary in providing for the support of the wide floors and the roofs to

“]
%
bE
be
i.
ne

=
E

— 25.

SS ae

introduce many interior piers and columns, which are arranger
one or more rows. The former, which are confined to the base!
are of brick; the latter are of steel enclosed in terra cotta. The
heights in the clear are 18 feet for the basement, 20 feet for the
story, 19 feet 6 inches for the second story, and 12 feet for the

story.

1 inch, and that of is ori wing 205 feet 2 inches eel iuoel
the middle. All are approximately 116 feet wide. As it woul

impossible to light this entire width from the sides a large skyli;
has been introduced in the roof of each wing, covering the ce
space in the first story to a width of about 50 feet and a dista: ce of
between 167 and 168 feet from the wall of the south pavilion. ;
this manner are formed three great halls which break thee |

piers. The floors of the ha ‘and aie stories and the lofts
spond in position and width with these aisles, being bounded on
inner sides by the walls of the light wells. The basement on t
other hand is entirely ceiled over. :

Each of the pes including both arms, has a total interior

inches their lighting is amply provided for by the windows.
The first and second or exhibition stories, except for the few
tural walls before mentioned and certain screen walls, have b
no way subdivided, but the basement and third noe are ext

aolleta cases the apwaaiel plant and the work ‘shone: Chat atic

around each story is continuous and unobstructed.
To permit of uniformity 1 in the installation of cases in the ex ib

basis of length measurement, which is Race al throustanee
arrangement, which also lends itself to the room divisions
other stories, has been facilitated by the uniformly straight hori
lines of the inner surfaces of the walls. The length of this
which is 184 feet, is the distance from center to center of adj
wall piers, and also of the interior structural piers and column:
the several rows. 3

The provision is therefore for a single window in each unit, al
though in the third story of the wings a granite mullion divides
outer openings into double windows. In the first and second s
the openings have been given a width of 11 feet 6 inches as com
with 7 feet for the width of the ne veniee ee and a maxim

The basement openings are 10 feet igen In the fevers of the ia de )

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

BULLETIN 80 PL. 4

NORTH AND WEST FRONTS OF BUILDING, VIEWED FROM THE NORTHWEST.

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 21

D ndew openings in each story, at the ends of these wings five
; penings, and i in each front of the Siac nine openings. Two of the

gement in the courts agrees quite closely with that of the outer
ralls except in the attic story.

_ The building contains three public stairs of moderate but adequate
= dimensions, so disposed as to encroach but little upon the floor space.
One is located directly east of the north entrance, while the other two
occupy tower-like constructions in the northeast and northwest corners
f the main pavilion. There are four passenger elevators in two
airs, one of which is on the west of the north entrance, the other in
he main pavilion near the south entrance. Two large freight ele-
_ yators are also provided, being placed one on each side of the building
at the junction of the ranges with the wings and in close proximity
o the entrances for the delivery of freight. Service stairs adjoining
ese elevators connect the several stories.

A modern steam and electric plant, installed in the basement of
east wing, provides for the heating and lighting of not only this
ut also the other buildings occupied by the Museum and furnishes
uch motive power as is oneed: The mains are carried through
unnels under the basement floor, whence connections are made with
he several stories through the chases in the wall piers. Arrange-
nents likewise exist for ventilation, vacuum cleaning, the manufac-
ture of ice, the distribution of hot and cold water, announcing and
ighting fire, watchmen’s signals, and for other purposes connected
with the maintenance and protection of so large a building with its
luable contents.

_ An important feature is a well appointed auditorium, with a seat-
ing capacity for 565 persons, located in the basement story of the
_ main pavilion.

The ground area covered by the building, being the dimension of

the basement story, 1 is 136,171 square feet, while the area enclosed by
the building, that is to say the area of the basement and of the courts
combined, is 168,752 feet. With the addition of the granite ap-
proaches, the space comprised within the area of the building con-
action is increased to 176,834 square feet.
The total extent of available floor space furnished by the building
468,118 square feet, distributed as follows: Basement, 121,173
are feet; first story, 119,480 square feet; second story, 86,357
quare feet; attic story, 86,428 square feet; the lofts in the wings,
4,680 square feet.

— “i Ak we r a e LO Said * iid & aw, Mee bh o wwe Me iT ae ate } awl
as te ae a at Nakheel me Sir ce Paani ts \¢ ¥ i

22 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

The solid contents of the building amount to 11,604,984 cubic feet,
and its cost, including the power plant and other mechanical equip-
ment, was, therefore, at the rate of 30 cents and a small fraction a
cubic foot, which is relatively very low for the construction of a
building of such a substantial character.

In the detailed description of the building which follows the

architectural attic is referred to as the third story, while the lofts
are designated collectively as composing the attic story. The term
ground story is also employed instead of basement as better denoting
the nature and importance of the use of this story, and it is the
term which has come to be generally recognized.

EXTERIOR WALLS

FOUNDATIONS AND GRADES

While the grade of the building site with reference to mean low ©

water mark in the Potomac River at Washington is so low as to
have practically interdicted the construction of an underground
story, but little difficulty was encountered in providing secure foun-

dations without resorting to piling. This was due to the fact that

the ground occupied was mainly a natural slope composed of clay,
sand and gravel, although on the northern side adjacent to the old

Tiber Creek, long since filled in, softer material was found and much

deeper excavations were necessary.

The grade level of the ground about the building was fixed at +11,
and that of the basement or ground floor at +14, the former being
approximately 4 feet and the latter 7 feet above the grade of B Street

north, from which the front of the north pavilion is distant about —

64 feet. With the natural surface rising toward the south the
extent of the excavation for the site increased in that direction, and
the south front of the building is faced, beyond a broad area con-
taining a drive, by a sloping bank which reaches a maximum level of
+93.92 or a height of about 13 feet above the ground level of the
building at the foot of the south approach, leading to the main
entrance on the first floor. At the sides of the building the em-
bankments gradually disappear toward the north.

The foundations range in depth from an average of +5 at the
south to an average of —2 at the north and an extreme of —8.5 at
the northeast corner of the building. They rise to a grade level
of +10.5 for the exterior walls and of +12 for the court walls.
They are constructed of concrete and consist of stepped footings sur-

mounted, in the case of all exterior and other structural walls, by

foundation walls, but the interior brick piers rest directly on foot-

ao ee

ings. The width of the footings and the thickness of the walls vary — :

considerably in accordance with the requirements of the super-

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING Zo

structure. Under the south or main facade the footings are 11 feet
wide at the bottom and the walls, 6 feet thick; under the exterior
facades of the ranges they measure 9 feet 3 inches and 4 feet 2
inches, respectively, while under the court walls they are consider-
ably narrower. Especially heavy foundations were required for
the south pavilion and the outer ends of the east and west wings,
where the walls reach an extreme thickness of 7 feet 8 inches.

SOUTH PAVILION AND ROTUNDA

The south pavilion, surmounted by the drum and dome of the
rotunda, owes its prominence exteriorly to its height above the main
roofs, its projection beyond the general line of the south facade of
the building and its more elaborate treatment. If its southern pro-
jection be excepted, it is square in plan and about 118 feet across as
bounded by its main walls to the height of the adjoining wings by
which these walls are concealed on three sides. Above the roofs of
the wings, where the walls are entirely exposed, the octagonal shape
of the interior is also manifested on the outside, and it presents four
broad faces, which are 82 feet 2 inches wide on the east, west and
north, and 79 feet wide above the portico entablature on the south:
The diagonally disposed faces, which are separated from the others
by projections right angular in plan, are much narrower, measuring
only 8 feet 3 inches wide in direct elevation and 11 feet + inch wide
in normal elevation.

The broad fronts, each of which is pierced by a large semicircular
window, are pedimented, with a parapet and central parapet block,
the top of which is 101 feet 94 inches above the level of the portico
and first floor, the ridge of the slated roofs behind the pediments
being 99 feet 1 inch above the same level. The sides of the faces
above the roofs of the wings and above the portico have a raised,
pilaster-like projection, 9 feet 9 inches wide, terminating above in an
entablature which does not extend across the faces but returns with
the pilaster upon the pediment walls, and is continued around the
broken walls connecting the faces, these walls, like the pediments,
being also surmounted by a parapet. The frieze of this entablature,
which is 3 feet 84 inches wide, is ornamented with an incised Greek
fret.

While the east, west and north faces are equidistant from the
center of the pavilion, the south face above the first floor level is set
out 18 feet 8 inches farther and projects 16 feet 3 inches beyond the
general line of the front of the building, not including the pilasters.
In a recessed wall in the front of this projection, which is 79 feet 5
inches wide to the height of the two main stories of the wings, is the
main entrance to the building, the recess in combination with a

9A ‘UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

column-supported construction across the entire face forming
elaborately decorated portico described below.

The openings in the masonry for the large semicircular windows
have an extreme radius of 20 feet 4 inches to the inner edge of th
archivolt. In the jamb and at the sill there is a rebate 11 ine
wide, by which the opening is reduced in area to less than that
semicircle of 19 feet 5 inches radius. The archivolt is 4 feet wid
is divided into 27 voussoirs, and has a sunken panel face and molde
inner and outer edges. Each opening is divided by two granite mu
lions, 3 feet 2 inches wide, into three sections, of which the midd.
section is slightly wider than the lateral ones at their base.
window area in these sections is subdivided by a lattice pattern i
triangular lights. The framework is constructed of sheet coppé
reenforced where necessary to provide proper stiffness, and the sil
and spaces in the frames are filled with concrete. The glass is plat
ground on the inner surface.

In the ground story, where the south projection amounts to O17
54 inches and is 80 feet 2 inches wide, the side walls are of
Milford granite, but above the first floor level the stone work is
tirely of the Bethel granite, laid in regular courses 2 feet wide exc
as architectural or decorative features have necessitated a differ
treatment.

The rotunda construction of the interior is carried through.
roofs of the pavilion in the form of a circular drum, 84 feet in di
eter, also faced with Bethel granite in 2-foot courses to a height
1 foot above the ridges of the pediment roofs. The upper 64 inc
of the next course carry the lower member of a 3-foot 53-inch met

cornice, 4 feet 44 inches wide. Above the cornice the remaini
granite work consists of a capped parapet 4 feet 1f inches high, az

17 feet 3 inch above the parapet feces of the four faces, and el fee
104 ates above the first floor level. iu

The slate-covered dome, the construction of which is describ
another connection, is a saterienl segment 75 feet in diameter
base and 21 feet 8 inches high above the upper edge of the
The top of the curb around the eye at its crest is the highest masonr
work of the building, being 142 feet 24 inches above the first ‘floc
level and 165 feet 24 inches above the grade level of the weil &

PORTICO

The portico, which is singularly effective and imposing, is in ar
tectural treatment of the Roman Corinthian order, its main featu

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 5

SOUTH PAVILION, ROTUNDA, PORTICO AND APPROACH.

7 . é Fy
LA 3 AY
asi aaa Me

“i ee ia) SewED kad HISTORY BUILDING

size, excellent proportions and perfection of aed a the mae
-umns are especially noteworthy. The capitals, patterned after those
‘the temple of Jupiter Stator in Rome, in their elaborate carving by
eans of pneumatic tools, show depth and precision of cutting not
- expected to be obtained in so hard a material as granite, and are
m, iriking examples of the possibilities in this direction. The projec-
tion of the portico from the wall of the pavilion is 6 feet 14 inches
_ to the center of the front row of columns, and 9 feet 1} inches to the
outer side of the plinth blocks of these columns. The middle part
_ of the pavilion face under the portico roof is recessed to a width of
89 feet 1 inch and a depth of 13 feet 2 inches, the inner wall of this
recess being pierced for the main entrance door, the opening for
_ which, between the stone masonry, measures 12 feet 9 inches wide by
_ 25 feet 9 inches high.
The floor of the portico is at the same level as the main floor of the
building. Except for the 73-inch water table projection, it has the
same width as the projection of the pavilion, namely, 79 feet 5 inches,
which it carries to a distance of 11 feet 104 inches, when it becomes
abruptly restricted to a width of 67 feet 13 inches and extends 6 feet
8 inches farther to meet the steps of the south approach, of which
it forms the upper landing. It is constructed mainly of the Milford
anite, but inside of the inner row of columns and in the three pas-
_ sageways between columns leading into the recess, where the stone
is laid in a paneled pattern, a New Jersey granite of a more decided
pink color has been used in combination. All other parts of the
ortico are of the Bethel granite.
There are six columns in the outer row and two in the inner, the
latter standing just within the recess, but the motive of two complete
rows of six columns is carried out by the introduction of pilasters on
the adjacent walls. The height of the columns as also of the pilasters,
including plinth blocks, is 45 feet to the under side of the entablature.
The bases, inclusive of a paneled plinth or low pedestal, 6 feet $ inch
square, are 3 feet 11 inches high; the shafts, 36 feet 4} inches high;
feard the capitals, 4 feet 84 inches high. The shafts of the columns
measure 4 feet 3 inches in diameter for one-third of their height, and
thence diminish in size to a diameter of 3 feet 7% inches at the neck-
ing. They are divided into six nearly equal parts, while the capitals
re cut from two stones, being jointed horizontally at the top of and
shind the upper row of acanthus leaves. The intercolumniation
varies, the distance from center to center of the columns in the outer
w being 15 feet 3 inches at the middle of the portico and successively
18 feet 104 inches and 13 feet 14 inches toward the sides. The dis-
tance between the plinth bases of the front and inner rows is 2 feet
4 inch.

26 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

There are four pilasters on the front wall recalling columns of the
outer row, and two on the side recessed walls recalling the columns
of the inner row. Four of these, in pairs, adjoin at the exterior
angles of the recess, the cap and base moldings and other decoration
merging. Except for their width which is uniformly 3 feet 11 inches
and the jointing which is the same as that of the walls, the pilasters
have the same treatment as the columns.

The entablature is 11 feet high, which brings the total height of
the Corinthian order of the portico to 56 feet from the floor level.
There is, however, a surmounting parapet wall, 2 feet 53 inches
high, ine outer face of which is 5 feet 14 inches Bane of the cornice
edge. The frieze on the front of the entablature is 73 ‘feet 4 inch
long, which is 6 feet 44 inches less than the width of the pavilttia face,
while the length of the highly decorated cornice, with an overhang
of 4 feet 112 inches, exceeds that width by some 3 feet 7 inches.
From the portico the entablature, with modified cornice, extends on
to the face of the pavilion projection and returns against its side
walls.

Surrounding the opening of the main entrance is a decorated archi-
trave 2 feet 13 inches wide, while above the architrave is a 3-foot
paneled surface separating it from a console-supported cornice 3
feet 112 inches wide. A console band 1 foot 24 inches wide, down the
sides of the opening, further increases the masonry decoration. The
only other piercings within the portico are two plain window open-
ings, one above the other, in each side wall of the recess. A base, 3
feet 11 inches high, extends around the walls of the portico. The
upper part of the walls back of the caps of the columns and to the
height of the same is decorated throughout, except where interrupted
by the pilaster caps, with a horizontal paneled band, which is con-
tinued on the return walls of the projection. The ceiling of the
portico is coffered and the moldings are carved.

SOUTH APPROACH

The south approach which leads to the main entrance presents a
broad expanse of stone in harmonious relations with the pavilion and
its portico. The construction is entirely of masonry and all ex-
posed parts on top and at the sides are, with few exceptions, of the
Milford granite.

There are two runs of steps, an upper-one of twelve and a lower
one of eight, separated by a platform. Each run is flanked by mas-
sive dies of which the longer axis extends north and south in the up-
per and east and west in the lower. Including the dies, the upper
part of the approach is of somewhat less width than the portico, but
the lower part is about two and one-half times wider than the upper,
the increase occurring in connection with the platform. The grade of

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 27

the driveway in front of the lowest step is +23.92, while that of the
portico floor, forming the upper step, is +34, making the total rise
about 10 feet. The distance in a horizontal line from the edge of
the lowest step to the outer edge of the portico floor is 52 feet 54
inches.

The upper dies measure 12 feet 6 inches deep by 11 feet across and
their tops line with the floor of the portico. The distance between
them is 45 feet 13 inches, which is the length of the steps in this series
except the lower four which are longer and return against the dies.
The lower dies, which are 11 feet deep, 20 feet across the front and
6 feet 7? inches high above grade, are 123 feet apart. All of the
steps of this run are of that length with the exception of the lower
two, which also extend a short distance on to the outer faces of and
return against the dies. All steps are 18 inches wide, except the bot-
tom one in each run which is 20 inches. The rise is 5 inches with a
wash of 4 inch. The dies, in their shape and position, have been
planned to serve as pedestals for sculpture groups, and each is sur-
mounted by a low plinth.

The outer ends of the intervening platform are in plan quadrants
of a circle, with an extreme radius of 31 feet 4 inches, swinging out-
ward from the upper to the lower die on each side. Completing and
concentric with these curved ends on each side is a massive granite
seat or bench, which is raised above the platform level by two steps.
These seats, which are cut in several sections each from a single block
of stone, stop 6 inches short of the flanking dies and terminate in an
arm at each end. The extreme width of the platform, including the
seats, is 139 feet 4 inches; while its depth from one run of steps
to the other is 22 feet 14 inches. The platform is laid in a panel
design, having across its depth three rows of square panels, separated
and bordered by bands of pink New Jersey granite. On each side, in
front of the lower curved step leading to the seats, is an ornamented
border each alternate stone of which has a perforated design. The
perforations, extending entirely through the stones, give outlet for
the water from the platform, which is crowned and built to drain
toward them. The steps, like the platform, are cut with a rise or
crowning surface from the ends to the center, the greatest rise,
namely, 3 inches, occurring in the bottom step.

From the outer ends of the platform on each side a finished
granite retaining wall preserving the same curvature is carried down
to the level of the grade of the basement area. The original plan
contemplated a granite retaining wall, surmounted by a balustrade,
starting from the lower dies of the approach and facing the southern,
eastern and western fronts of the building, but its expense was
greater than could be met from the appropriation and in its stead
the embankment has been sloped and sodded.

28 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

The granite work of the approach is supported and backed by
brick masonry, consisting of heavy piers, walls and arches resting
on concrete footings. Extending in front of the ground story pro-
jection of the pavilion, and therefore partly under the portico and
partly under the upper run of steps, is an arched passageway, 12
feet 3 inches wide, faced with white glazed brick and having granite
trimmings, which serves to connect the area driveway. On its north
side is an entrance into the ground story of the building, and on the
opposite side a door opening under the approach. The south wall of
this passageway in conjunction with the curved granite walls under
the ends of the platform surround the foundation construction, and
within this enclosure a considerable space, measuring 134 feet in
greatest length by 21 feet in greatest width, is available as a vault
for storage purposes. ,

OUTER WALLS OF THE WINGS AND RANGES

The total height of the stone work composing the south and end
faces of the east and west wings is 82 feet 14 inches, made up of the
three kinds of granite in the following proportions, namely, Milford
granite, 23 feet 3 inches; Bethel granite, 43 feet 5 inches, and Mount
Airy granite, 15 feet 54 inches. Of the Milford granite 3 inches are
below grade, and 8 feet 3 inches are below the ground floor level.
The Bethel granite begins at the first floor level and extends 11 inches
above the third floor level; while the Mount Airy granite reaches
4 feet 44 inches above the third story ceiling. The ranges have the
same extent of Milford and Bethel granite, but in the third story
the use of Mount Airy granite is restricted to a parapet wall and the
framing of the dormer window openings.

The height from floor line to floor line in both the wings and ranges
is 20 feet for the ground story, 21 feet 6 inches for the first story,
and 21 feet for the second story, while the height from the floor line
to the ceiling of the third story is 12 feet, making a total of 74 feet
6 inches, or 7 feet 74 inches less than the entire height of the stone
work in the wings.

Ground story.—The base course consists of large stones having a
uniform height of 5 feet 74 inches and exposed to the extent of about
5 feet 44 inches. The top of this course forms the sill line for all
ground story windows, which line is 2 feet 44 inches above the finished
floor level of the interior, except in those parts of the story where,
as elsewhere explained, the height of that level has been increased
by 3 inches. Between the base course and the water table course there

are six regular horizontal courses, the lower being 1 foot 10 inches —

thick, the four following alternating 2 feet 24 inches and 2 feet 9f
inches, and the upper 2 feet 6 inches. Seven voussoirs enter into the
composition of each window arch, and between them at the middle of
the piers, forming a unit of what 1s, above referred to as the sixth

. he . eee
Ea ae eS
eS ee. Te

a 2)

:
iS
i

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 29

course, is a single stone. Above the two lower courses to the water
table the stone is cut with rusticated horizontal and arch stone joints,
the raised faces, except that of the projecting keystone of the arches,
having a picked surface. Measured over the raised surfaces only,
the four courses above the two lower ones are all approximately of
the same width. The water table presents a plain vertical edge 2 feet
3 inches thick.

All granite work is at least 10 inches thick, but courses and in-
dividual stones exceed this thickness in varying degree in order to
insure proper binding with the brick backing. Stones entering into
the construction of window and door jambs, heads, etc., extend back
into the reveals far enough to enable the inner edges to be covered
by the window and door finish. The reveals, however, do not run
through flush the entire thickness of the stone work, being broken by
minor reveals. The total thickness of the walls to the outer face of
the rustication is 5 feet 4 inches in the wings and 3 feet 8 inches in
the ranges,

The typical window openings of the ground story are 10 feet wide
and 10 feet 6 inches high to the crown of the low segmental arch.
The width of the intervening piers is 8 feet 6 inches. The openings
for the wagon doors at the outer ends of the east and west wings
have the same width as the windows but are 15 feet 10 inches high
from the pavement. The piers at these two ends have an extra brick
backing which increases their thickness.

First and second stories—The granite work of these stories is
treated throughout as though for a single story. The combined
height of the stories, which begin on top of the water table course
and extend to about the middle of the main course of stone of the
main cornice, is 42 feet 6 inches. The sill or plinth course of the first
story, which is 3 feet 11 inches high (this being also the height of
the sill above the floor in the inside of the building), carries around
the entire building as a strong horizontal line, and all pilaster bases,
plinth blocks, etc., are above it. Below the window openings this
height is occupied by two stones, the upper, a sill stone 1 foot high,
and the lower, a sub-sill or facia stone. In the east and west wings
this lower stone is cut with a slightly raised panel, flanked on either
side by simple brackets in low relief. From the sill line the window
openings and intervening piers of the wings extend continuously and
uniformly to the lower edge of the entablature of which the main
cornice is a part, a distance of 31 feet 10 inches. In the ranges, how-
ever, the height of these openings is reduced to 31 feet 6 inches by a
shallow 4-inch reveal which extends across the openings below the
entablature. The division of the window space between the two
stories is marked by a galvanized iron panel at the level of the second
story floor.

30 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

The window openings are 11 feet 6 inches wide, the piers, 7 feet
wide. In the wings the piers have pilasters 3 feet 8 inches wide,
projecting 13 inches, with their bases, caps and the entablature
treated architecturally in the Tuscan style. The thickness of these
piers, exclusive of the pilasters, is 3 feet 3 inches. In the ranges the
piers have simply 1-inch raised panels on their faces and, excluding
these, are 2 feet 8 inches thick. With the exception of a 1-foot. 10-inch
course immediately above the sill course, all stones between the sill
course and the entablature are laid in 2-foot courses. The thickness
of the stone is about 1 foot where a greater dimension is not required.

The entablature, which is uniform in design and size throughout
its entire length, is 7 feet 8 inches high and its greatest projection
is 8 feet 4 inches beyond the face of the two stories below. Of the
four courses comprising the construction, the lower one, 3 feet + inch
high, forms a rather prominent architrave, while the next above,
1 foot 84 inches high, embodies a relatively unimportant frieze and
the bed molding of the modillioned cornice. The modillions are 2
feet, wide, occupy an 83-inch course and are spaced about 3 feet 8
inches on centers. The upper and most important stone of the cornice
and of the entire entablature is 2 feet 22 inches high.

Third story—rThe stone work of the third story of the east and
west wings, extending 15 feet 54 inches above the main cornice,
includes a secondary cornice, 2 feet 4 inches high with a projection
of 2 feet, and a parapet. In elevation the vertical lines of the first
and second stories are recalled with short pilasters, 3 feet wide and
10 inches in relief, having a paneled face, while the piers are 8 feet
14 inches wide. Each window opening of the main stories is repre-
sented in the third story by double openings, 4 feet wide by 6 feet

8 inches high, the companion windows being separated by stone

mullions, 2 feet 44 inches wide. The thickness of the piers is 2 feet
11 inches, but a stone trim around the windows, projecting 4 inches,
makes the total reveal 3 feet 3 inches. The top of the stone sill is
1 foot 7 inches above the top of the main cornice and 2 feet 24 inches
above the finished floor level, which is 34 inches higher than was

originally planned, these figures being also the same for the ranges.

In the ranges there is a 5-foot parapet wall between the dormer
windows, resting on the main cornice and succeeded by a slate-
covered mansard roof. The windows are placed one above each of
the larger window openings of the main stories, and measure in the
clear 5 feet wide by 7 feet high. The architrave around them carries
down to the sill course, and all of the windows have pediment heads,
alternating between the square and segmental. The brackets at the
sides of the architraves, supporting these pediments, rest upon the
parapet wall.

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING ot

North pavilion—The north pavilion, formed by the extension of °
the north wing beyond the face of the ranges, although not attaining
the architectural or structural importance of the front of the south
pavilion has been treated in a manner consistent with its prominence
as containing the secondary entrance to the building. Its projection
in the ground story is 23 feet 11 inches and its width 122 feet 93
inches (reduced to 121 feet 10 inches in the succeeding stories), the
central part to a width of 64 feet 104 inches being slightly recessed
and divided into three complete 184-foot bays with a narrow bay on
each side. The flanking pavilions at the sides of this recess measure
28 feet 112 inches wide.

Other than changes in the detail, the central part of the pavilion
in particular conforms closely to the architectural treatment of the
east and west wings. The base courses, rusticated lower story, water
table and entablature, features common to both the wings and ranges,
extend across the entire front. The walls of the flanking pavilions
are pierced in the several stories, on both the front and return walls,
by relatively small windows, but in the three center bays the large
openings characteristic of the wings and ranges are repeated, al-
though in the ground story flat lintel-headed door openings replace
the segmental-headed window openings of the other parts of the
building. Each of these three entrances, one in each bay, is 15 feet
4% inches high by 8 feet 6 inches wide and is framed in part by a
molded architrave. The lintel stones and the outer face of each
alternate jamb stone are molded, the intervening stones being pro-
longations of the picked surface stones from the pier walls.

The window openings of the first and second stories, beginning
about 1 foot above the finished first floor level, are 34 feet 9 inches
high and 11 feet 6 inches wide. The sill and base courses of the
typical wing and range windows are recalled in front of these open-
ings by balustrades, 3 feet 11 inches high, built between the plinths
of engaged Tuscan columns which decorate the intervening piers.
These columns are 4 feet in diameter below, and 3 feet 6 inches at
the necking; the lateral ones are recalled by pilasters against the
slightly projecting walls of the minor pavilions. The double win-
dows of the third story are 7 feet 2 inches high by 4 feet 44 inches
wide. The piers are 7 feet 10 inches, and the mullions 1 foot 11
inches, wide. The third story stone work is 16 feet 6 inches high
from the top of the main cornice and finishes with an individual

cornice and low parapet wall. .

The vestibule floor is 1 foot 9 inches above the grade of the driveway
leading to the northern entrance. The upper step occurs between the
jambs of the three openings and has a 6-inch rise. Outside of the
walls there are two risers, the lower 9 the upper 6 inches high. The

latter leads to a platform 65 feet: 6 inches wide, and varying i1
from 12 feet 4 inches in the middle to 3 feet 7 inches at the enc
outer edge being the arc of a circle of large radius. The step
the opens is 18 inches wide and concentric with it.

The total height of the pavilion from the bottom of the outer.
of the approach to the top of the parapet wall is 83 feet 2 in
The walls of the central recessed part are 6 feet 9 inches thick in
ground story, and 2 feet 9 inches thick behind the columns in
second and third stories. The thickness of the front and side wal
of the flanking pavilions in the ground story is 3 feet 6 inches <
3 feet 2% inches, respectively.

COURT WALLS

The walls of the two courts are alike, being faced with a
white semi-vitreous brick in combination with gray Woodstock gra
ite, having a 4-cut surface. They are backed with red brick the san
as the outer walls. The distribution of the granite is as fol
There is a base course 4 feet 3 inches high, exposed to a height of
feet 10 inches above the grade of the courts, the top of which ft
the sill line for the ground story windows. The arch of these v win

floor level. Beginning at the level of the top of the second :
windows there are four courses of granite, the first serving as li:
the second and third forming the main cornice, and the fou

parapet. All other surfaces are of the light colored brick. T
tire height of the walls above grade is 79 feet 104 inches. In th
ground story the thickness of the wall masonry is 2 feet 10 inch
and in the first, second and third stories, 2 feet 6 inches, the
being recessed to the extent of 4 inches from the water table up.
The width of the typical window openings is the same in all
namely 11 feet 4+ inch, the exceptions being presented by a fe
dows at the junction of walls, with a width of 9 feet 5 inches, 2
certain still narrower openings into stair towers and wells.
typical piers between openings are 7 feet 53 inches wide. The
ings of the windows in the ground story are 11 feet 2 inches high, 1
a low segmental arched head and a minor reveal around the side
tops of each opening. The granite sill line is 2 feet 3 inches ab
the floor level in parts of the story and 2 feet 6 inches else r
Four doorways leading into each court from the wings and ran;
have the same width and treatment as the windows, the only diff
ence being the extension. of the openings to the floor level. Th

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 6

NORTH PAVILION, SHOWING NORTH ENTRANCE DOORWAYS IN GROUND STORY.

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 7

A

e
y'

WeEsT CouRT, LOOKING TOWARD THE SOUTH PAVILION AND ROTUNDA, AND SHOWING
THE PROJECTION OF ONE OF THE STAIR TOWERS.

=

*

age
pte

4
” Engrs
oe 5 ON hoe: oe

ay small door at the bie of each stair tower. As in the outer

6 inches high. A minor reveal on the outside of the wall piers,
ot 44 inches deep, carries around both sides and over the heads of
e windows. The window openings of the third story are 7 feet

INTERIOR STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND ROOFS OF THE WINGS AND
RANGES

7)
‘=

In order to provide the large open spaces contemplated by the
general plan, but few interior walls having a structural relation to
e building have been introduced in the wings and ranges, nearly
i ll subdivisions being effected by means of subsidiary partitions.
Such walls, in fact, occur only between the wings and the ranges,
be ween the wings and the south pavilion, and, in the ground story,
a “ ween the north vestibule and lobby and peneen the lobby and

had to numerous piers and columns of masonry and steel,
ich are disposed in a single regular row lengthwise through the
nges and in two or more rows through the wings. The steel col-
ans where not actually embedded in walls have a fireproof covering
of terra cotta, producing piers, and both these and the masonry piers
finished to correspond with the finish of the walls. In the
es, where the width is not so great but that the lighting may
ntirely obtained from the sides, the successive floors are un-
oken, but in the much wider wings it has been necessary to pierce
e middle part of the several floors above the first story in order
obtain light from overhead.

_ Ground story—The concrete floor base of this story rests idivettly
on the ground and on the top of certain tunnels in which heating
other mains are carried. The finished floor surface was planned
have a uniform grade of +14, but in order to reduce the height
the window sills to a convenient level for the tables in the labora-
ies, it became necessary to raise the grade generally, though not
ywhere, to the extent of 3 inches. The transition from one level
he other at places where the two adjoin has been accomplished
gradual sloping of the floors.

he great span and weight of the first floor have rendered neces-
correspondingly heavy supports which consist of brick piers,
except in the north entrance lobby where steel columns have been
used. The spacing of the piers in each row conforms, with few
--80120°—-Bull. 8913 —3

B4 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

exceptions, to the length unit of measurement of the wings and 4

ranges, namely 184 feet from center to center, and this arrange-

ment is the same in all stories. These isolated piers stand opposite a

the piers of the outer and court walls and, therefore, in line to sup-
port the girders of the floor above.
In the east and west wings the piers are mostly arranged in three

longitudinal rows, the northern row, measuring from centers, being

32 feet 1 inch from the court wall, the southern row 32 feet 5 inches
from the outer wall, and the middle row midway between the other
two. The middle piers are 3 feet square and the lateral ones 3
feet by 3 feet 9 inches. Toward the outer ends of these wings the
arrangement is modified to form two crossrows of four piers each,
the piers in the outermost row being larger than all the others, and
especially the northern and southern ones which measure 5 feet 3
inches by 4 feet 14 inches. In the north wing, where the piers all
measure 8 feet by 3 feet 9 inches, they are disposed in four rows,
leaving the center of the floor unincumbered. Measuring from cen-
ters, the two inner rows are 29 feet apart and 11 feet 3 inches from
the lateral rows, which, in turn, are distant 32 feet 1 inch from the
side walls. The single row of piers through the ranges is distant
17 feet 6 inches from the court walls, leaving the middle part of
the floor free for corridors where partition walls have been con-
structed. The piers measure 3 feet by 3 feet 9 inches, except one at
the northeast and one at the northwest corner of the ranges which
are 5 feet 3 inches square in their greatest dimension. All of these
piers are built of hard-burned red brick and capped with granite

blocks or templates as bearings for the floor girders, corresponding _

templates being also inserted in the side walls. They are mostly
plastered, which adds about 14 inches to the dimensions above given,
but in the east wing and the middle of the west wing they are simply
painted.

The steel columns in the lobby at the north entrance are of the ©
box type, built up of two 15-inch channels fastened together with
17-inch by 3-inch plates. There is a row of four, enclosed in marble,
extending east and west through the middle of the room, and two
others in the north wall of the lobby, one opposite each of the
outer columns of the middle row.

First story.—The floor of the first story is coextensive with that
of the ground story and is of exceptionally heavy construction. The
framework consists of box-type steel girders, 2 feet 10 inches deep by

2 feet 6 inches wide, running, with few exceptions, at right angles to

the outer and court walls and resting upon these walls and the ~
granite-capped brick piers below; and of steel I beams, typically 18
inches deep, spanning between the girders. The girders are, asa
rule, spaced 184 feet on centers, while the beams are spaced 5 feet

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 35

34 inches in the wings and 5 feet 6 inches in the ranges. Tie rods
% inch in diameter and about 4 feet 6 inches apart are used between
all beams. The tops of all girders are 44 inches below the finished
floor level, and their bottoms including the furring of terra cotta
blocks project 21 inches below the rough ceiling of the ground story.
The spaces between the beams are filled in with segmental brick arch
construction, 9 inches thick, and the rough floor is leveled off with
concrete to within 5 inches of the finished floor line.

The interior upright supports for the second floor consist entirely
of I-shaped steel columns, which are 15 inches over both dimensions
and built up of single plates 15 inches wide stiffened with 7-inch by
34-inch by 8-inch angles, except in certain instances where the plates
and angles are slightly lighter or heavier. They are spread at the
base and riveted to plates which are in turn riveted to the first floor
girders. In the ranges the distribution of these columns is identical
with that of the piers in the ground story, but in the wings only the
outer rows of ground story piers; one on each side and one at the end,
are represented, an exception occurring at the northern end of the
north wing, where there are two crossrows of four columns each.

Second story.—While the girders of the second story floor have the
same arrangement and spacing as those of the first story, they are of
the single plate type, with the middle web 3 feet deep-and the top and
bottom cover plates 14 inches wide by 7% inch thick. In the wings,
however, they occur only between the outer and court walls and the
rows of columns, leaving the space included within the columns
entirely open; the well through which the middle part of the main
story in each wing derives its light from the skylights beginning at
this level. The girders with their furring project 2 feet 4 inches be-
low the rough ceiling of the first story. The I beams between the
girders, 12 inches deep, are generally spaced 5 feet 7 inches in the
wings and 1 inch less in the ranges. The tie rods, } inch in diameter,
are spaced the same as in the first floor. The floor construction is
of terra cotta flooring tile, 12 inches thick, topping 5 inches below
the finished floor level.

The steel columns of the second story are identical in construction
and position with those of the first story, but differ in a general +5
inch reduction in the thickness of the plates and angles. Those in
the wings, however, except the extreme northern crossrow in the
north wing, are enclosed in the walls of the light wells, which are
partly supported by beams of the same depth as the typical floor
beams, attached to the light well side of the columns and 8 inches
from them. Similar beams occur at the floor levels of the third and
attic stories. The light well partitions are further stiffened in the
three stories by double 3-inch by 3-inch by 3-inch angle studs secured
to the beams and spaced between the columns.

36 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

Third story.—The steel framework and terra cotta construction of

the floor in this story is the same as in the second story, except that a
in the ranges it has been necessary to make provision for the truss —

struts of the roofs. The rows of columns are also omitted from the

ranges as the support of the floor above is provided for in the roof i

construction, though the two columns, one each at the northeast and

northwest angle of the ranges, are continued as partial supports for

the trusses of the hip roof at those places.

In the wings the steel columns are disposed as in the first and sec-
ond stories, and consist generally of a 15 by 3-inch plate stiffened
with 3 by 4-inch angles. With the exceptions to be noted, these
columns stand just outside the walls of the light wells to which their
covering of terra cotta and plaster is joined, forming attached piers
on the floored side of the story. The two corner columns at the outer
ends of the east and west wings, consisting of somewhat heavier
plates and angles, are slightly out of alignment with the other
columns, and with their coverings stand.separate from the hght well
walls. They bear, however, upon the corresponding larger columns
and piers of the lower stories, and serve as supports of roof trusses
beyond the line of the interior columns.

Attic story.—Only the wing sections of the attics or lofts are ac-
tually floored over, 12-inch I beams spanning between the lower

members of the roof trusses and spaced 6 feet 8 inches, carrying the
terra cotta floor arches which are of the same thickness as the depth —

of the beams. As the beams project 1 inch above the terra cotta con-
struction, their lower surface is buried to that extent in the rough
ceiling of the third story which is finished fiush throughout. The
structural columns are attached to the walls of the light wells as in
the story below. They are, in fact, prolongations of the third story
columns and extend to a height of 10 feet 2 inches above the finished
attic floor, furnishing attachment for the inner ends of the lateral
sections of the roof trusses, intermediate members of which divide the
attic space into cross-sections 184 feet in length.

The range attics are low, serving as air chambers and used for

pipes, ducts, etc., and have been left unfloored except for a 2-inch ©

layer of cement on top of the furring of the third story ceiling.
Roofs.—The roofs of the wings consist of low slopes at the sides
and ends, the outer ones being covered with slate, and a flat deck

which, together with the court slopes, are covered with copper. The
skylight, in the middle of the deck of each wing, has a double pitch.

The range roofs above the mansard are fiat-decked and copper-cov-
ered, sloping toward each side.

Roof framing.—The roof trusses are spaced 184 feet on centers, in a

conformity with the length unit of the building. In the wings three

trusses are, in fact, used to span the width of 116 feet between the q

oS ee ee ee eo ee hm

aa 9 =<
ee es

Se a pt ee ee eee We Nic

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 37

outer and court walls, one for each of the side spaces and one for the
intervening skylight area. For the former, which measure 32 feet
5 inches between the columns and the outer walls and 4 inches less be-
tween the columns and the court walls, the trusses are diamond-
shaped, resting at the wall ends on cast-iron shoes at a level of 16
inches below the attic floor and riveted at the other ends to the tops
of the columns 10 feet 2 inches above the floor. For the intervening
space of 51 feet 6 inches the trusses employed are triangular in shape,
being riveted to the columns 7 feet above the floor, their apexes reach-
ing a height of 15 feet 4 inches above the same level. The various
members of the trusses are built of angle iron riveted together in
pairs. The top members of the outer trusses are’ two 5 by 34 by
4-inch angles, and the bottom members two 34 by 34 by 3-inch angles;
while in the middle trusses the top members consist of two 6 by 6
by 2-inch, and the bottom of two 5 by 3 by 32-inch angles. All columns
are braced at the top by 15-inch I beams extending between them, and
in other ways the entire framework is secured and reinforced in a
manner to obtain the necessary rigidity.

On top of the triangular trusses is a raised platform or deck of
9-inch I beams and 3 by 24-inch angles designed to support the sky-
light construction over the central part of each wing. <A line of these
beams extends continuously above the apexes of the trusses, and
another line 8 feet from the first on each side of the ridge, while the
angle curb construction carries the lower edges or eaves of the sky-
lights.

Projecting 9 feet 9 inches into the lighting space on all sides is a
series of 12-inch beams, which are framed into the columns at one end
and suspended from the trusses at the other, the outer ends being
~ eonnected and the construction thus stiffened by 12-inch channels.

_ Riveted to the channels and suspended from the trusses by angles,
8-inch I beams, spaced 184 feet, span the 32 feet from channel to chan-
nel, the approximate width of the skylight, and this framework, with
some subordinate members, carries the ceiling light construction
which is described in another connection.

At the northern end of the north wing, in the space between the
stair well and the elevator shaft, 12-inch I beams are used instead of
trusses as roof supports, and the floor construction of the third story
in this section, therefore, differs somewhat from that at the outer
ends of the east and west wings. Here I beams carry the weight of
the floor arches directly to the outer walls instead of indirectly per-
forming that function through the trusses as is typical elsewhere.

All roof truss members in the side and end sections of the wings
_ which are not protected within the roof and floor construction are

~ enclosed in expanded metal jackets and fireproofed with a casing of .
lime plaster gauged with cement. |

38 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

In the ranges the typical roof trusses have a span of 52 feet 2
inches in the clear. The lower member is 2 inches above the third
story ceiling line, from which level to the apex of the truss the
height is 7 feet 2 inch, this being the maximum height of the range

attics. The outside ends of all trusses rest upon built-up struts hay-

ing a 10 by 3-inch plate stiffened by four 34 by 34 by 7-inch angles

and bearing upon the third story girders inside the walls of that —

story. The inside ends of all typical trusses bear directly upon
cast-iron shoes bolted to the top of the court walls. The top and
bottom members of the typical trusses are formed of double 6 by 4
by zs-Inch angles riveted together. The interior members are of

lighter material, as are also certain special trusses at the northeast —

and northwest corners of the building, which do not completely span
the ranges but have an intermediate bearing in the single interior
column at each of these points. The trusses are stiffened by latticed
purlins extending at right angles to them and spaced 12 feet 6 inches
on centers, and these spaces in turn are traversed by beams, 4 inches
deep, spaced 6 feet 2 inches on centers, which are riveted to the
purlins. The bottoms of the purlins are 64 inches, and of the beams
2 inches, above the third story ceiling, the metal lathing of which is
fastened to the beams and lower members of the trusses.

Roof shell and covering —The construction to which the outside
covering of slate is attached, on the mansards of the ranges and the

outer slopes of the wings, consists of a 5-inch shell of reenforced

cinder concrete supported between I beam purlins at the upper edge

and the wall at the lower. Elsewhere, except where skylights occur, _
the construction is a combination of concrete frames and terra cotta

arches covered with copper, built in the following manner: Reen-
forced concrete rafters, 4 inches wide, spaced 16 inches on centers,
and having intermediate points of support in the I beam purlins of

the steel framework, run in a transverse direction across the roof.

The spaces between the rafters are filled with terra cotta blocks, but

as the entire construction is flush and the materials were placed in

the one operation the result is a continuous slab or shell reenforced

by- the rafters. The usual thickness of this construction is 6 inches, a

but over wide spans blocks 10 inches thick and rafters of the same

depth occur. Embedded in the concrete work of alternate rafters, a

and therefore on lines 2 feet 8 inches apart, are galvanized iron wires

in the form of loops, the ends of which project sufficiently above the
concrete to fasten small galvanized iron T’s running with the rafters
and standing about 23 inches above them. The entire surface is
furthermore topped off with a 1-inch coating of cement mortar which a
covers all wires and the lower flanges of the T’s, leaving the upright
arm of the latter projecting. The sheet copper, which is of 12-ounce —
weight, is laid on this surface and the parallel standing joints follow

. : 2 ee eo ee
a eeN ee en a ee oe Be 3
Re a es ee

ee en a ee ee eee

ig —

ee ee ee ee ee ome
Pe ae OR ee es CR eee S

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 39

and are secured to the ribs or projections of the T’s, being locked,
folded over and riveted with copper rivets and burrs, no solder being
used. The cross-joints, which have a uniform spacing of about 8
feet, are locked and soldered. The ends of the standing joints at
the gutters are capped and the copper is soldered to the gutter lining.
All gutters are formed of concrete and lined with 14-ounce copper,
having soldered joints between the individual sheets, and soldered at
the outer edge into a raglet cut in the granite parapet. The cresting
which tops the slate work on the wings and ranges is of 16-ounce
copper.

The slate is of a light gray-green color and came from Poultney,
Vermont. It measures generally 20 inches by 12 inches by 3 inch,
is laid about 84 inches to the weather, and is nailed to the cinder
concrete. The copper cresting comes down over the upper courses
and at the gutters the lining is flashed up under the lower edge.

Skylights—The skylights covering the middle sections of the
Wings are 32 feet 2 inches wide; in the east and west wings they
measure 149 feet 4 inches long, while in the north wing the length is
64 inches greater. They are double pitched, and their framework
rests on and is riveted to the three lines of 9-inch I beams and the
angle curb construction already described. The curb walls, of con-
erete, are 14 inches high, while the end walls, due to the increased
pitch of the skylights over that of the roofs, are about 4 feet 6 inches
high at the ridge. Centered over each roof truss and extending
entirely across the skylights is a walk of reenforced concrete, 2 feet
6 inches wide, covered with copper. The spaces intervening between
these solid bands are divided into glazed panels, each 2 feet wide
with two lengths of glass to each slope, butt-jointed in the middle.

Under each of the ribs separating the glazed panels and also
against the angles of the walk construction is a 13 by 2-inch iron
channel. These channels are bolted to the curb angles and to the
ridge and intermediate beams, and serve the double purpose of pro-
viding the necessary stiffness for the glazed surface and of acting as
drains from the ridge to the eaves to carry off any leakage or con-
densation. Within each of the channels, bolted to and extending its
entire length, is an inverted wedge-shaped channel of thin sheet
metal, 2 inches high, the top surface of which is about 1} inches wide
and provides bearing for the abutting edges of the 4-inch ribbed
wire glass. Above the glass is a sheet copper cap secured to the
inverted channel every 2 feet by bolts which pass through the joint
between the glass of adjacent panels and, by tightening, hold the
glass, which is set in elastic cement, rigidly in place. A thin gasket
of sheet lead inserted under the edges of the copper cap where it
bears on the glass provides extra security against leakage. Cross-
gutters under the skylight at the ridge, intermediate joint and eaves

40 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

4
lead into the channels. All exposed metal with the exception of the

lead gaskets is sheet copper.

Against the outer end of each of the large skylights there is an
opening, 18 feet 10 inches long by 3 feet wide, covered with a wire
screen, which serves as an exhaust outlet for the ventilating fans in
the attic.

At the inner end of each of the wings, against the rotunda wall,
there is a skylight 38 feet long by 4 feet 6 inches wide, which gives
light to the bottom part of the large semicircular windows, and
smaller skylights also occur over all the elevator shafts. These sky-
lights correspond in detail of construction with the larger ones.

INTERIOR OF THE SOUTH PAVILION AND THE ROTUNDA

GROUND STORY AND AUDITORIUM

General plan of story—As before explained, the south pavilion to
the height of the adjoining wings is fundamentally square in plan
and about 118 feet across, including its enclosing walls which, in the
ground story, are 3 feet 74 inches thick on the east and west sides.
The structural features which produce the interior octagonal shape
are extensions of the walls of the stair towers at the two northern
corners, and walls across the southern corners, behind which are sev-
eral small rooms and shafts, including the shaft for the south pas-
senger elevators. The projection on the south side of the pavilion
in the ground story comprises heavy structural walls designed to sup-
port the portico and enclosing two larger and two smaller rooms
besides a passage to the driveway under the south approach.

In building the substructure for the large piers of the rotunda, it

was found possible to provide for a convenient and commodious
auditorium in what would otherwise have been practically waste
space, but in so doing it was necessary to extend a part of the floor
to a level considerably below that of the ground story. The audi-
torium occupies the central part of the area, being surrounded by the
substructure piers and intervening screen walls, all of which are of
concrete. The piers, which are four in number, center on the diag-

onal lines of the pavilion. They have a maximum width of about —

40 feet 6 inches and a maximum thickness of about 10 feet, the width
across their inner faces being about 36 feet. From the level of the
ground floor to within 2 feet of the first floor level they are of hollow

construction, having walls 3 feet thick surrounding irregular shaped

spaces, in which diaphragms are built at the level of the spring of
the auditorium dome, except those in the southern half of the north-
ern piers which are left open for ventilating purposes.

: ‘
—— 4% rk eA iat) — pee ee ah = e . ~
a ee eR TT ee ig ET en, GT ne ey Pe ae ee es OM, Nae Ey es

=

aT SER Se eae MAS eR MMe on ey ee De ee

as see eS

a ee a ee

ah

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 41

The line of the outer wall surface of the above construction con-
forms quite closely to that of the interior of the pavilion, the inter-
vening space, generally 12 feet 6 inches wide, forming a corridor
entirely around the auditorium, with large openings into the three
wings and the southern driveway, and access to the tower stairs and
elevators. With its longitudinal axis corresponding with the north
and south axis of the building, the doorways of the auditorium have
been placed on the northern side, nearest the public entrance in the
ground story, while the speakers’ platform is on the southern side.
Two brick partitions with large openings, one on each side just south
of the tower stairs, separate the northern part of the surrounding
corridor from the remainder, and the former has been finished as a
lobby to the auditorium. Metal doors in the openings serve to com-
plete the isolation of the lobby, the auditorium entrances and the
tower stairs from the east and west wings.

Auditorium.—tThe auditorium is essentially circular in outline and
79 feet 6 inches in diameter, with short sections of straight wall,
about 26 feet wide, forming shallow niches or panels on the east, west
and north, and a deep recess on the south. The projection of this
recess is enclosed by a curved brick wall having an opening into a
small square room which is also reached by means of a door and steps
from the southern part of the corridor. The wall surface of the
auditorium is further broken by two small niches on the south side,
one on each diagonal, and two openings in corresponding positions
on the north side, which latter, with a doorway midway between
them and opposite the platform, give the means of public access to
the room.

Beginning at a grade level of +-6.75 in front of the speakers’ plat-
form, the auditorium floor rises to +14, the level of the ground floor,
at the rear of the room, and affords opportunity for successively
higher rows of seats from all of which the platform is plainly in
view. The rising floor covers in greater part an air chamber con-
nected with the ventilating system. Dwarf brick, radially disposed
walls, built upon the floor of this chamber, support the reenforced
concrete slab or base of the dished floor. On this slab concentrically
formed steps also of concrete, 2 feet 10 inches wide, have been con-
structed to carry the chairs. These steps, of which there are eighteen,
the lower one 8 feet 8 inches from the platform, vary in rise from
1 inch for the lower to 9 inches for the upper, the level of which is
+14.75. Access to the steps or chairs is by means of four inclined
aisles, two of which lead directly from the side doors toward the
platform, while the others follow the curvature of the side walls of
the room. The entire fioor is finished in terrazzo pavement.

The covering of the auditorium is a low flat ellipsoidal Guastavino
tile dome, which springs from the four concrete piers; it does not

42 —sSUNETED STATES NATIONAL

thrust against the intervening screen walls, but the stress is cart ed
by four large penetrations. The tile construction begins 6 feet §
inches above the finished ground floor level, and the spring line o:
the dome proper 3 inches higher. This domical ceiling has at the
center a circular eye or ring of ornamental terra cotta, 26 feet
inches in diameter to the center of a decorative leaf band, project-
ing sufficiently below the ceiling to allow for the placing of electric
-lights around the inner and outer edges, hidden from sight behi
the molded members. All finished Guastavino tile has a high
glazed ribbed surface and all, with the exception of several courses
around the eye, is laid herringbone. The terra cotta matches the ti
in color and finish, having a glazed surface, and has the leaf bar
and other ornamentation picked out in color. Besides giving a fir
for the auditorium, the dome actually supports the floor of the
tunda above, dwarf walls intervening in the space between the two
which at the highest point of the dome is but 18 inches. The dor

bordered panel, while the soffit of the arch over the speakers’ plat
form is 3 feet 6 inches wide and decorated with rosette-cente
panels. 'The crown of all four of these arches is 15 feet 4 1

cases is 9 inches wide and decorated with a sunken panel and
motive. A circular vent register opening is provided in the
of each of the large penetrations. e

Between the base and the tile and terra cotta work the walls a
plastered and finished with a molded cap which carries level aroun
the room except across the niches where the cap is omitted. .
3-inch sub-base of terrazzo extends around the entire room.
base, of Keene’s cement, is 15 inches high in the alcove at the sou
and continues of the same dimension on a line in front of the p
form up to the large niches on either side of the room. In the b
of these niches its top line is stepped toward the rear of the ro

height of 9 inches, or 12 inches above the floor, in the back of
auditorium. The reveals of the plastered door openings are refi:
by shallow panels,

BULLETIN 80 PL. 8

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

“"NYOSLVId SHL GYVMOL SNIMOO7

NOIMAVd HLNOS SHL SO AYOLS GNNOUES) NI

‘

WNIYOLIGNY

- NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING . 48

The speakers’ platform is 2 feet 6 inches high above the lowest
level of the auditorium floor, and 4 feet 9 inches below the floor level
at the entrances. It occupies the entire space of the alcove, and
has a curved outer edge projecting beyond the area of the alcove,
__ which is struck from the same center as the steps forming the seat-
_ ing planes in the bowl of the room. The floor of the platform is
supported on the surrounding walls and intermediate concrete piers
with concrete beams, carrying an overlying 4-inch slab of rein-
forced concrete to which wood sleepers are secured. The final finish
of the floor, of the face of the iui and of the steps on both
sides is of Libines oak.

The space under the platform is used as a ventilating chamber,
the air having access to the room through 12 cast-iron registers,
measuring 14 by 20 inches, in the face of the platform-rise. The
admission of air from the chamber under the seating part of the
auditorium is by means of holes through the fioor of the several
steps. These holes are about 5 inches long by 14 inches wide and
are spaced to occur under the standards or side supports. of the
individual chairs except those on the four lower steps to which the
_ chamber does not extend.

The combined surface of the sen steps furnishes space for
565 chairs, which are solidly attached to the floor by means of ex-
pansion bolts, and, in order to obtain a compact arrangement from
aisle to aisle, the chairs have been made of two widths, 20} inches
and 22 inches. The seats are of the usual folding type, 16 inches
high, equipped with wire hat holders, and the width of the inter-

-vening space between their front edges and the backs of the chairs
in the next row is 17 inches. There is a single standard between
each two adjoining chairs which provides support for the seats and
backs on both sides. Including the supports for the wood-covered
arm rests, the standards are entirely of metal; in the base of each
is a small register-faced box, a unit of the large system of such boxes,
placed over the floor openings to receive and disseminate the air

_ from the ventilating chamber. The seats and backs are upholstered

in brown Spanish leather and are built on and furnished with wood

_ frames, all exposed parts of which are of birch stained in imitation

of walnut.

The complete isolation of the auditorium, surrounded as it is by

two sets of walls, makes it necessary to depend wholly upon artifi-
cial means for its lighting. As already mentioned, provision has
been made for two rows of concealed electric lamps around the cir-
cular eye in the dome of the ceiling, and another row is hidden
behind the inside ring of the arch between the auditorium and the

alcove of the speakers’ platform. Each of the former contains 80

and the latter 23 lamps. In view of their positions and surround-
ings, the illumination of the room as a whole is reflected and diffused.

a a
ee a

44 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

The openings of the three entrance doors are 6 feet’ wide by 10
feet high and have semicircular heads. Two of the doors are op-
posite the tower stairs, while the middle one centers on the north
and south axis of the building. The doors are of walnut, in two
leaves, each with a single panel and circular glazed peephole with
thin cover disk. They are 7 feet high, the upper part of the openings
being filled in with a double-paneled walnut transom. The jambs
are also of walnut, but the trims are of plaster with marble plinths.
The space directly inside of the middle door has been assigned to
the projection lantern.

Auditorium lobby.—The architectural treatment of the auditorium

lobby, which is 12 feet 33 inches wide, consists principally of pilas- —

ters 2 feet 6 inches wide spaced equidistant at the sides of the
entrances to the auditorium, two on each side of the middle door
and one on each side of the diagonally placed doors, the same being
repeated on the opposite wall of the lobby. With the exception of
the door architraves, which are of Keene’s cement, and the floor bases,
the walls of the lobby are entirely finished in plaster. The spaces
between the pilasters where not occupied by door or stair openings are
paneled. ‘The pilaster faces are also paneled and finish in a cap the

lines of which carry around the lobby as a cornice. The openings —

from the lobby to the tower stairs are 13 feet 34 inches wide by 11
feet 14 inches high, and have paneled jambs and soffits and plaster
brackets in the jambs.

The ceiling, beginning immediately above the cornice, is arched
with glazed Guastavino ribbed tile, and the highest level of the soffit
of this arch is about 6 feet below the first floor level of the rotunda,
the space between the false ceiling and the floor construction being
utilized for ventilating purposes. Arches or ribs carrying the lines
of the pilasters across the ceiling from side to side divide the latter
into panels, in which the tiles are laid herringbone pattern.

The wall, door reveal and pilaster bases are of pink Tennessee
marble and 12 inches high. The floor is mainly finished in terrazzo,
but the pilaster lines are recalled by border lines of pink Tennessee
and Sienna marbles enclosing panels of terrazzo. Border courses

of the pink Tennessee marble also occur against the walls. The door

openings at the two ends of the lobby are of the same shape and size
as those of the entrances to the auditorium, but instead of having a
transom at the top the double doors occupy the entire opening. These
doors are of paneled steel.

PAVILION AND ROTUNDA ABOVE THE GROUND STORY

General account.—The octagonal shape presented by the interior
of the pavilion in the ground story continues to the height of the top
of the attic story. The interior floor dimensions of the pavilion

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 45

are 111 feet 7 inches on the main axes and 122 feet 1 inch on the
diagonal axes, the enclosing walls on the east, west and north being
3 feet 33 inches thick. The sides of the octagon against the three
wings and on the south are longer than the diagonal sides in the
proportion of about three to two, and consist of straight walls with
openings into the wings and into the south projection. On each
side of the portico recess in this projection there is a room about
15 feet square in each story, the intervening narrow space being
occupied by the entrance vestibule to the height of two stories,
flanked by two very small rooms in both, and a single long room
in the third story.

Most prominent in the composition of the rotunda, which also
presents an octagonal shape with four sides longer than the others,
are four great masonry piers centering on the diagonal axes and
placed, therefore, one in front each of the stair towers and of the
two opposite shorter walls of the pavilion. These piers extend to
a height of 62 feet 5 inches, are 6 feet 104 inches thick in the mid-
dle and 7 feet 62 inches thick at the sides, and have an extreme width
of 34 feet. In the four spaces intervening between the piers, which
are 38 feet wide, are decorative screens composed of three tiers of
columns, corresponding to the first, second and third stories, each
tier surmounted by an entablature. The screens are on the longer
sides of the octagon, the dimension of which is greater than that of
the screens alone, since the inner faces of the piers are deflected at
the sides at such an angle that parts of their faces parallel the
lines of adjoining screens. The length of the longer sides so formed
is 47 feet, while that of the shorter sides, entirely included within
the faces of the piers, is 16 feet 54 inches.

The diameter of the rotunda is 83 feet 53 inches measured diag-
onally between the faces of opposite piers, and 81 feet 6 inches on
the main axes between the faces of opposite columns in the screens.
Between the rotunda and the pavilion walls, that is to say back
of the piers and screens, there is a passageway or corridor 12 feet
43 inches wide, which extends entirely around the rotunda and
above the first story takes the form of a gallery at each successive
floor level.

Springing from the piers at their tops and spanning the inter-
spaces are four semicircular masonry arches, each having a span of
41 feet 6 inches (being set back 21 inches from the extreme sides
of the piers), a soffit width of 7 feet 6 inches and an arch ring width
of 2 feet 9 inches. Resting upon the piers and corbelled between the
arches are brick pendentives 4 feet 53 inches thick at the base and
struck from a sphere whose radius is 43 feet 74 inches and whose
center is on a line with their bearing. When the top of the arches
is reached a pendentive ring 71 feet 10 inches in diameter, with

varying thickness of masonry due to the perpendicular inside fac
of the wall, is presented, and upon this the drum masonry bears. sh
Immediately above the great arches and the pendentives is
plaster entablature, 9 feet 114 inches high, followed by a Gua
tavino tile dome ceiling which is described farther on. The enta
lature comprises a plain molded architrave 2 feet 103 inches hig
a frieze decorated with triglyphs and shields in the metopes, 3 fe
54 inches high, and a cornice ornamented with dentils and eg:
and darts, 3 feet 74 inches high and projecting 2 feet 84 inches beyon
the eeed face of the architrave, on which face the inside diameter
of the rotunda is approximately 7 1 feet. ai
A variety of material is represented in the interior finish of the
pavilion and rotunda. The floors, wall bases, plinths and colv
shafts are of marble of several kinds. Nearly all other stone wo
is of light gray Bedford, Indiana, limestone with a fine rubbed su:
face, comprising the inner faces and sides of the piers and a slig’
return on the back, the paneled jambs of piercings through the pier
the large arches springing from the piers, and the stone work of the -
semicircular windows and of the screens between and surmounting
the tiers of columns. Other than the above essentially all surfac
below the tiled dome ceiling are finished with lime plaster, except tl
door architraves, jambs and heads, which are of Keene’s cement.
plaster and cement surfaces of both walls and ceilings are painted
ivory tint which harmonizes with the color of the limestone.
The piers, the backing or core of which, constituting the struct
element, is of hard-burned red brick, have a molded base 7 feet
inches high and are capped with a 9-foot entablature. The top
the denticulated and bracketed cornice of this entablature is 2_
74 inches above the fourth story level, and following it is a pede
band 8 feet 54 inches high, from which spring the four arches enter-
ing into the dome construction. Although the arches are of gre
span than the width in the clear between the piers, the latter ar
designed that the arch is a continuation of the sharply defined brea
made necessary by the paralleling of the sides to the common axi
This architectural effect is maintained throughout the entire hei
of the piers, the base, entablature and pedestal returning into
sides against a small projection from the main part of the pier
foot 9 inches deep by 3 feet 54 inches wide, which terminates at the
top with two inverted consoles occupying the space in front of the
pedestal band. These projections are on the screen side of the be
ings of the arches, and the combined depth of two of them occurri
on each longer side of the rotunda, namely, 3 feet 6 inches, is the «
ference between the width of each screen space and the span of
arches. The stone courses of the piers necessarily vary so as to ca

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 9

-

Tas
4N4n%

“yy

——

Hy

INTERIOR OF THE SOUTH PAVILION AND ROTUNDA TO THE HEIGHT OF THE TOP OF THE
GREAT ARCHES, SHOWING THE SCREEN, WALLS, AND CLEARSTORY WINDOW ON THE
East SIDE, AND PARTS OF THE ADJOINING STONE PIERS.

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 47

; through certain lines of decorative features but are generally 17
inches high.
fs In the first and second stories each pier is pierced by a heavily
architraved opening. The lower openings are 7 feet 9 inches wide by
14 feet 74 inches high and have console-decorated heads supporting
balconies with stone balustrades at the second floor level. The open-—
_ ings in the second story are 6 feet 3 inches wide by 12 feet 103;
- inches high and also have console-decorated heads which support
_ square-headed pediments. As these piercings are through the center
of the piers they open upon the rotunda from the diagonal points of
_ the compass and emphasize and make prominent the entrances to the
_ stair towers and elevators.
; Each of the great arches consists of 27 voussoirs which are anchored
into the pendentive brickwork by means of wrought iron anchors.
_ The soffits of the arches are coffered and have a series of 13 nearly
_ square panels.

The screens between the piers are identical in composition. Each
contains four columns in each of the three tiers, which, in the direct
elevation of the screens, are centered one over the other through the
_ successive stories. The columns are unfluted monoliths of breccia
stazzima marble, 2 feet in diameter in their lower part, with lime-
stone bases and caps. The two middle columns are spaced 11 feet
_ 8 inches on centers, while each of these is spaced 10 feet 6 inches from
the outer columns, between which and the sides of the piers only nar-
row openings occur. The column treatment is recalled against these
_ sides by fluted limestone pilasters,

_ _The architectural order used in the decoration of the first story
tiers is the mutulary Doric, the columns, including a 22-inch roseal
marble plinth or pedestal base, being 17 feet 44 inches high to the
- under side of the entablature. The bases and caps of the columns, .
together with certain moldings in the architrave and in the mutu-
lary cornice of the 4-foot $-inch entablature, have carved surfaces.
_ The second and third story orders are the Roman Ionic, both alike in
- appearance but differing in the height of corresponding units. The
second story columns, including the 134-inch height of a plinth course,
are 15 feet 2 inches high, and the entablature, the top of which is 12
inches below the third floor level, is 4 feet 1 inch high. The columns
of the third story are 11 feet 94 inches high, excluding the plinth
~ course which is below the floor level, and the entablature is 3 feet
4 inch high, projecting 12 inches higher than the fourth floor level.
The architraves of the upper entablatures are free from carving, but
in the denticulated cornices certain moldings have carved surfaces
and of course the Ionic column caps are carved.

; Each screen is topped just above the fourth floor level by a lime-
stone balustrade, 2 feet 34 inches high, with die blocks or pedestals

48 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

centered over the columns. Between the columns in the second and

third stories are gallery railings of ornamental cast iron, 2 feet 6 —

inches high, and standards of harmonizing detail are provided in
the narrow openings between the outer columns and the pilasters.
These railings and standards are secured to a limestone base which
brings their extreme height to 3 feet 6 inches and 3 feet 1 inch for
the second and third stories, respectively. The railings closing the
middle bays in the second story have a center wreath design sur-
rounding an eagle, the balance of the design on either side comprising
leaf scrolls. Except for the center, which elsewhere represents a

budding growth, all of the other railings are similar in design to

those described, and both sides of all railings and standards are
finished alike.

Aside from the location, size and design of certain doors, the space ~

back of the piers and screens in the first, second and third stories is
almost identical in treatment and finish. In all stories there are low
relief panel-faced pilasters, 2 feet 10 inches wide in the first and
second stories and 2 feet 6 inches wide in the third story, which.occur
in pairs near each intersection of the outer or pavilion walls of the
octagonal-shaped enclosed space and are repeated on the pier walls.
The intersections of these walls are not such, however, in the true
geometrical meaning, since the two converging walls are joined by
a curved wall struck from a center and of greater arc than those of
the opposite pier walls, which are also curved. Recalling the pilas-
ters, metal-furred plaster beams divide the ceiling area into a series
of cornice-bordered panels, rectangular in shape behind each pier
and screen and triangular at the intersections. Where the screens

occur the lower members of these cornices are of limestone, but other-_

wise the entire treatment is of plaster. The detail of cornices and
beams is not elaborate. The beam soffits in the first and second
stories have a sunken fret design, while those in the third story have

a rosette-centered sunken panel. Slightly projecting mutules with —

decorated under sides are the only decoration other than the plain
moldings on the first story cornices, but in the second and third
stories several prominent moldings have some form of leaf decoration.

Through the center of the curved wall surfaces openings occur in
all stories, two leading into each wing on the east, west and north
sides, and two into the rooms flanking the portico on the south. The
first and second story openings are 13 feet high and 6 feet 4% inches
wide, while those in the third story are 10 feet 6 inches high by 6
feet 8 inches wide. In the second and third stories these are the
only means of direct access from the pavilion to the wings, but in
the first story an additional opening into each wing, 14 feet 5 inches
high by 9 feet 2 inches wide, is provided on the common axis of the

pavilion, and above it, in the second story, is a balcony opening into _

a <= tie a a Pat

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 49

each light well, 13 feet high by 5 feet wide. On the south side of
the first story an opening 16 feet high by 10 feet 11 inches wide
frames the entrance vestibule construction. The openings of the stair
towers are 13 feet 44 inches wide in all stories, and 16 feet 1 inch,
14 feet 44 inches, and 10 feet 5 inches high in the first, second and
third stories, respectively. They have paneled jambs and heads.
The elevator openings in the southeast diagonal wall, two on each
landing, are 7 feet high and 3 feet wide.

As in general plan so in detail a radical change occurs in the
fourth story from what may be called the typical finish of the stories
below. Pilasters 2 feet 10 inches wide and of relatively large
projection occupy corresponding positions to those in the lower
stories, but the 10-foot distance between each pilaster and the oppo-
site one across the corridor is spanned by a semicircular metal-furred
plaster arch instead of a flat beam. These arches have a stilt of 6
inches above their bearing on the pilaster caps, the members of which
are continuous and 6 feet 4 inches high around all walls of the gal-
lery except where the screens occur. The spaces between the pilasters
on the diagonal walls are ceiled with low elliptical groined vaults,
while the larger spaces between the screens and the semicircular
clearstory windows have octagonal coffered barrel vaults over them.
On the south, due to the projection of the story over the portico, the
vaulted area is somewhat deeper than on the other sides. These
vaults are of 21 feet 7 inches radius, and like the rest of the fourth
story ceiling finish are applied to a false construction of metal
furring.

The walls of the small triangular barrel-vaulted spaces at the in-
tersections of adjacent walls are pierced by 8-foot 9-inch by 5-foot
semicircular-headed door openings into the loft spaces of the east,
west and north wings and into two small rooms on the south. One
of these rooms, the eastern, is occupied by an iron stairway leading to
the space above the fourth story ceiling, from which access is had to
the elevator machinery and the dome. The elevator openings are
semicircular-headed and measure 8 feet 9 inches high by 3 feet wide.

The radius of the clearstory windows, the exterior and general
features of which have already been described, is 19 feet 4 inches to
the inside line of a molded limestone archivolt, 17 inches wide and
consequently having a radius of 20 feet 9 inches, the same as that
of the great stone arches. A 9-inch band of these arches, exposed
around the coffered vaults, is recalled by a limestone band of simi-
lar depth around the window archivolts. The two mullions of the
windows have roseal marble paneled limestone faces on the interior,
3 feet 4 inches wide.

Floor construction and finish.—The floor of the rotunda inside of
the piers and screens is supported by the Guastavino dome construc-

80120°—Bull. 80—13-—4

50 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

tion of the auditorium in the ground story. In the corridor, however,
steel beams are used, having both bearings on walls except over the
openings to the stair towers where a lintel support is provided. The
construction for the galleries is the same except that in the screened
interspaces the inner ends of the beams are sustained by plate girders
2 feet 2 inches deep by 12 inches wide, spanning between the piers.
In the first story the beams are 15 inches deep and in the other stories
12 inches deep, the foundation floor construction in all stories being
of terra cotta blocks.

The finished first floor of the rotunda and corridor consists of
roseal Tennessee marble, with border lines and inserts of green serpen-
tine and cipollino. A star-shaped center motive of the roseal has a
circular border of bands of the same materials. There is a continuous
_border of the three stones around the rotunda, passing just inside
the bases of the piers; a border panel occurs between the bases of the
columns, and there are border lines through the corridor with cipollino
inserts at each angle of the turns. The floors of the galleries are of
pink Tennessee marble with borders of Sienna marble. All of the
floor tiles have a fine sand-rubbed surface.

The wall bases, plinths for door trims, etc., match the floor material
in the several stories and consist, therefore, of the roseal marble in
the first story and of the pink marble elsewhere, finished with a high
putty polish. Their height in the first story is 22 inches, in the
second story 12 inches, in the third story 9 inches, and in the fourth
story, where they are 24 inches thick and have a molded top, 12 inches.

Main entrance gates and vestibule—The south or main entrance,
leading into the pavilion from the portico, comprehends a single
large opening in the granite front, 12 feet 9 inches wide by 25 feet
9 inches high, in which, however, the clear space is reduced by a tran-
som above and 9-inch cast-iron frames at the sides to a width of
11 feet 3 inches and a height of 17 feet 6 inches. This opening is
provided with iron gates made in two leaves, which slide on an over-
head track supported on a 15-inch channel and a floor guide rail into
a pocket in each jamb. The gates are framed by bars of wrought
iron, but all detail and ornamentation are of cast iron, and the finish
is the same on both sides. Each leaf is divided into three large cir-
cular, square-framed, rosette panels with smaller panels between, the
entire composition being surrounded with a leaf motive border. The
transom bar or band is of a fret design and the transom, which is of
a rosette-centered scroll design, is bordered with a leaf band similar
to that in the gates. The transom bar conceals the track and track
hanger for the gates, which weigh approximately 11,488 pounds and
are operated by hydraulic power.

Immediately within the gates is a vestibule of bronze, marble and
plate glass construction, mostly confined between the end walls of the

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING Tf

rooms at the sides of the entrance, but projecting slightly into the
interior of the pavilion. Its general interior dimensions are, width
11 feet 4 inches, depth 5 feet 7 inches, height 9 feet 8 inches. There
are double openings in the front and back, separated in both cases by
a central bronze mullion. Each of these openings is provided with
double push doors of plate glass framed with bronze, the leaves of
which are 2 feet 6 inches wide, their height being 7 feet. The remain-
ing height is occupied by a transom with its bar and by an orna-
mental cornice at the top. Each door has a 1-inch bronze push bar
3 feet 6 inches above the floor. The sides of the vestibule are of
marble paneled in bronze frames, with bronze register faces at the
top and bottom. The ceiling, framed by a bronze cornice, is glazed
with ground wire plate glass, divided into panels by bronze sash bars.

Above the outer pair of doors and behind the iron gates and tran-
som, extending the full height and width of the masonry opening, is
a bronze framework carrying ground plate glass in eight lights
across the width and three in the height. On the inner side above the
vestibule there is a ground plate glazed area, divided into eight
vertical lights by bronze muntins, occupying the remaining height
of the 16-foot opening. The glass has an etched ornament around
each light.

Other doors.—The doors and trims of the small rooms on the south
side of the pavilion are of oak. In the first and second stories the
doors of the side rooms are double, and above them are two panels in
fixed frames, followed by a transom bar and glazed transom, with a
latticed wood grille in front of the glass. The two intervening doors
are single, with glass transoms, and this detail applies also to the
third story, in which, however, the larger side doors are similar in
treatment to the corresponding metal doors leading into the wings.
In the fourth story the doors of the side rooms are single.

Of the openings between the wings and the pavilion only those in
the third and fourth stories are provided with doors, all of which
are of molded and pressed steel, in double leaves and paneled, and
have been introduced mainly to serve as fire checks. In the third
story the doors are 7 feet 8 inches high, the upper part of the 10-foot
6-inch opening being occupied by transom panels, also in two leaves
and hinged to open. In the semicircular-headed openings of the
fourth story the doors are of the full height of the openings. The
trims are also of steel.

Pediment roofs.—On the east, west and north sides of the pavilion
the pediment roofs over the galleries of the interior are supported on
9-inch I beams, both ends of which bear on masonry walls. On the
south side, in view of the much greater width of the space between
the drum and the pediment wall, it has been necessary to introduce
an intermediate truss which spans a distance of 43 feet and bears

52 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

upon the ends of a wall corresponding in relative position to the

other three pediment walls. The beams from the truss to the drum
and pendentive masonry, a distance of 14 feet 3 inches, are 10 inches
deep, and those from the truss to the outer wall, a distance of 16 feet
2 inches, are 12 inches deep. Saddles with valley beams 18 inches

deep occur on the diagonal lines between the roof slopes. The frame-—
work is overlaid with an 8-inch slab of reenforced concrete, and this —

in turn is covered with slate of the same quality and color as has been
used on the wings and ranges.

ROTUNDA DOMES

The covering of the rotunda consists of an inner and an outer dome
of Guastavino construction, the former constituting the ceiling, the
latter the roof of this part of the building. Both of these domes
rest, independently of each other, on the brick masonry of the drum
‘which is entirely concealed from view. The drum begins on a line
with the top of the large limestone arches, 85 feet 11 inches above the
floor level of the rotunda, where it has an inside diameter of 71 feet
10 inches and is 6 feet 10 inches thick. Retaining these dimensions
for a height of 8 feet 3 inches, it then becomes abruptly recessed on
the inside and reduced in thickness to 3 feet 9 inches, which is never
exceeded above except where certain courses of stone project beyond
the general outside surface of the drum. The total height of the

brickwork of the drum is 30 feet 33 inches, the outer stone facing —

passing above its summit to the extent of only one narrow course.
The inner or ceiling dome rests at its edge upon a corbel from the
inner angle at the top of the basal or thicker part of the drum, back
of the main cornice, a tension ring being provided around the bear-
ing of the shell. Two rows of buttresses 6 inches wide, spaced 10
feet on centers, also brace the dome from the drum. In shape, the
dome is a spherical segment, the sphere from which it is derived

having a radius of 35 feet 11 inches, and the center being 5 feet a

below the spring line of the dome. It falls somewhat short, there-
fore, of being a complete hemisphere, and its diameter at the base
is 71 feet 6 inches.

In construction the inner dome consists of three courses of Guas-
tavino tile in thickness, the inner course, laid in herringbone pattern,

presenting a buff-colored unglazed surface as a ceiling. At the center —

there is a circular opening or eye for admitting light, 18 feet 10
inches in diameter, the edge of the shell bearing against a steel com-
pression ring and the opening being finished on the under side with

a terra cotta molded ring. The ceiling light covering the eye is
concentric with the dome, but derived from a sphere of slightly ©
greater radius. It is divided into a number of component lights —
by twenty-four 4-inch by 38-inch radial bars and seven concentric —

SE Sit oi eh ai

Seri

~~

Se a ee

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 53

intersecting rings of the same size metal, all being surrounded by,
and the radial bars secured to, an outer ring.of 4-inch by 8-inch
metal. All of these structural bars are enclosed within and support
sheet copper muntins, which are so molded as to provide bearing
shoulders for the hammered wire plate glass with which the ceiling
light is glazed.

The ledge around the outer side of the base of the inner dome,
resulting from the reduction in the thickness of the masonry of the
drum, affords a continuous walk, about 3 feet wide, around this part
of the rotunda. It is reached from below by iron stairs leading to
masonry steps through the drum on the south side, while two door-
ways through the drum above the northeast and northwest diagonal
sides of the rotunda give access to the pediment roofs. There are
also eight openings from the walk through the lower part of the
dome, leading to the space back of the main cornice in the interior
of the rotunda, for convenience in reaching the electrical installation.

The outer dome is of heavier construction than the inner one, con-
sists partly of a double shell, and the curvature of its two surfaces
is not the same throughout. The main shell, which is continuous
and furnishes the entire inner surface, springs from the upper cor-
belled part of the brickwork of the drum on a line 116 feet 23 inches
above the rotunda fioor level. It is 73 feet 11 inches in diameter
across its base on the inside, and has a tension ring 14 inches by
< inch around its bearing. It is five courses of tile in thickness, but
its curvature in section is not produced from a common center.
Around the base on the outside an extra shell, 3 courses of tile thick,
is added to produce and complete the proper curvature of the outer
surface of the dome, which, as in the case of the inner dome, is a
spherical segment, the sphere having a radius of 41 feet 8 inches,
and its center being 18 feet 10 inches below the bearing of the shell.
This radius is increased about 24 inches by the slate covering. The
extra shell is free from the main shell at the base but gradually
merges with it. There is a copper-lined gutter extending around the
entire upper dome at its base, being partly cut in the top granite
course and partly formed along the under edge of the slate covering.
It is given proper fall to downspouts which occur at intervals of
29 feet and are cut through the shell into the space between the domes.

In the crown of the outer dome is an eye identical in size with that
of the inner dome and fitted with a similar angle compression ring.
Around the eye there is a curb of brick, faced on the outer side and
above with molded slate courses, which are in turn covered with
tinned sheet copper. The height of the curb above the slate covering
of the dome is 19 inches, and its greatest thickness is 20 inches. The
skylight over the eye is of a different design and construction from
the ceiling light of the inner dome, being slightly conical while the

latter is domical. The radial bars, of which there are twenty,
sisting of 3 by 4-inch wrought iron, extend from the curb aro
the eye, where they are bolted to cast-iron seats embedded in con-
crete, to a 34 by 2-inch ring of 18 inches diameter in the center. —
Kpone 2 feet 3 inches below this ring and attached to it by five 2 by A
41-inch uprights is another ring of the same diameter, from which
i inch tie or truss rods, placed one under each of the radial bars, ex-
tend and are bolted to the outer or curb end of each corresponding
bar. By this means added rigidity 1 is given to the skylight frame,
which is glazed with hammered wire plate glass in a manner simil
to that of the large skylights in the wings. Over the center of
skylight is a sheet copper ventilator 19 inches in diameter.
The outer covering of the upper dome consists of the same light
green slate that is used on the main roofs, cut in the so-called fish
scale pattern, and laid in 43 courses. While all the slate in each
course is of the same size, the size varies in successive courses, from
about 2 feet by 3 feet below to about 7 by 13 inches above, and there —
is also a difference in the thickness, which ranges from 1 inch to
inch. Of the vee a little more than one-third is exposed to
weather. ;

NORTH ENTRANCE, VESTIBULE AND LOBBY

The three large doorways of the north entrance, located in
ground story of the north pavilion, open into a vestibule which
adjoined by a capacious lobby providing direct means of access to all
parts of the building from this side. These two compartments :
separated by a structural wall pierced by three openings direc
opposite the outer ones and of about the same width. Each of
six openings is furnished with double glazed doors, and the oute
ones are further protected by outside double-leaf iron grilles. —
of the doors and grilles are pivoted and constructed to open outwa:

Vestibule——The vestibule is 51 feet 9 inches long, 14 feet 9 ine
wide and 20 feet high. Its floor level is 1 foot 6 inches below t
of the lobby which is reached by three runs of three steps each, é
run being located in front of one of the inner door openings and
several runs being separated by two relatively large square
with a narrow aie) at each end of the series. With the excepti
the ceiling and the doors and their trims, the entire room is fin
in Tennessee marble. The walls above ihe base, which is 2 fe at
inches high, are of a gray variety, laid in ashlar courses 16 inc
wide, and have a coarse sand-rubbed surface. The wall base, steps.
dies and floor tile are of the pink variety, with a hone finish. 1
floor tile of the field measure 2 feet 9 inches by 1 foot 2 inches, ¢
the entire field has border courses of the same material. The st
and dies are solid and the former have molded faces. .

BULLETIN 80 PL. 10

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

*punoIsyZOVd 19}U99 OY} UT ST asuRI

ySoM Ol} OJUL Surusdo 1oop oy} pus 4yor, oy WO ST [VY [Raju

00

OY} OUT OOUBIZUO OY} GUST OY} UO 91¥ O[NGTSOA OY} WIT SUT}VOTUNTAULOD SLOOP OTL,

*1S3M ONINOO7 ‘AGSO7] SONVYLNG HLYON

i : ae
> s
t v
Ww
wee
.
, . 3
l
f i
wit i i

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 55

The upper 3 feet in the height of the vestibule is occupied by a
plaster cornice and ceiling, some of the moldings of which are deco-
rated. The lower members of the cornice extend unbroken around
the entire compartment, but the upper moldings, combining with the
members of the beams, extend across the ceiling, dividing it into
Mi panels. Centered with each of the three door openings is a large
square panel subdivided to an octagonal design and having a rosette
center decoration. The spaces intervening between the large panels
are occupied by a single shallow rectangular panel.

Lobby.—The lobby occupies the entire width of 116 feet 2 inches
of the north wing, from the main part of which it is separated by
a structural wall having a central opening, 8 feet 6 inches wide by
13 feet 22 inches high, giving access to the middle hall. In the
northeast corner, in a recessed pavilion, is the landing of one of the
principal stairs, but otherwise the walls are essentially straight, the
width of the room in front of the vestibule being 35 feet 5 inches,
and elsewhere 37 feet. A doorway at each end leads into the adjoin-
ing range, and also communicating with the lobby are two pas-
senger elevators, a stairway leading to the elevator pit and an office
room, all directly west of the vestibule; a battery room between the
vestibule and main stairway, and a watchmen’s room at the south-
east corner.

Extending east and west through the center of the middle part
of the lobby is a row of four white Vermont marble piers enclosing
the structural steel columns elsewhere described, of which each of
the middle ones is distant 9 feet 3 inches and the outer ones 25 feet
9 inches from the north and south axis of the room. The two end
piers, including the thickness of a pilaster 194 inches wide on each
face, are 2 feet 14 inches square. A marble column stands directly
in front of both the north and south faces, and the treatment of the
piers is recalled by corresponding pilasters and columns on the

opposite north and south walls and a pilaster on both the east and
west walls. The middle piers are double, measuring 2 feet 14 inches
by 4 feet 52 inches. They have a single pilaster on the narrow sides
and two on the broader sides, which latter are repeated on the
north and south walls. There is also a pilaster*on each end wall in a
line with the wall between the vestibule and the lobby. The piers
and the wall pilasters are jointed, but the shafts of the columns are
monoliths and have molded caps and bases of solid pieces. All of the
wall surfaces of the middle part of the room between the pilasters
with columns, including two large panels on either side of the en-
trance to the middle hall, are of the same white marble, as are also
the architraves of all door openings. The stone has a putty polish
finish. The walls at both ends of the lobby are finished in plaster.

— a : 4
% 2.
et |

56 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

The wall bases, the architrave plinths of all door openings and
the base blocks under the columns and pilasters are of pink Ten-
nessee marble, 12 inches high, with a hone finish. The floor is of
the same material and finish. The field is constructed of tiles aver-
aging about 124 by 25 inches in size, but is divided into a number
of sections by bordered panels carrying the lines of the bases of the
piers, and extending between the piers themselves and from them to
the corresponding pilasters and columns on the four walls.

The cornice and ceiling finish, as in the vestibule, is entirely in
plaster but practically devoid of ornamental moldings or bands.
Where the double piers occur the treatment is recalled in the ceil-
ing by the presence of double plaster beams, the soffits of which line
with the surrounding wall cornice, and which span the distance
between the piers and the corresponding pilasters on the north and
south walls. This treatment is repeated in single instead of double
form between all other detached piers or columns and their cor-
responding pilasters. In all respects the cornice members of these
beams conform to those of the surrounding walls, thus dividing the
entire ceiling into a number of panels. The end portions of the
room are treated with a slightly projecting cornice terminating at
the ceiling in a cove. In the central part of the room the cornice
carries the same lower moldings but, instead of finishing with a
cove, it has additional molded members which give a slightly more
elaborate effect.

Outer door grilles—The openings in the masonry of the pavilion
front are 8 feet 6 inches wide by 15 feet 42 inches high, but the size
of the movable gate area is reduced to 6 feet by 11 feet. The gates,
which are of heavy cast-iron grille work, are in two leaves, each 3
feet wide, designed in five panels with a border band enclosing the
whole and similar bands between the panels. The space above the
gates is occupied by a grille transom conforming in part to the detail
of the gate design, with the addition of a conventionalized bison’s
head in the middle. Grille borders 10 inches wide and a rope
motive trim or architrave occupy the space between the gates and
the masonry jambs, and this border also carries across the tops of
the gates as a transom bar. All gates are supported at the top and
bottom on cone-bearing pivots. The free edge of both leaves of
each pair has heavy bronze top and bottom bolts countersunk in the
stile, so that either leaf may first be closed and secured for the
operation of a Yale prison lock placed within one of the ornamental
rosettes of each leaf. Each gate is provided with a lever handle
on each side, the two being joined together but not operating any
locking mechanism. The thresholds are of bronze, $ inch thick,
with vertical cross ribs 1 inch deep underneath and spaced not
more than 2 feet apart; they have a scoriated surface,

a nN

ys
y

ae

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 57

Vestibule and lobby doors.—All main doors of the vestibule and
lobby inside of the grilles are identical in material and design, con-
sisting mainly of plate glass set in molded bronze, of which the
frames, trims, push bars, etc., are also constructed. They are in
pairs, occupying the three outer and three inner openings, and the
two entrances to the ranges at the ends of the lobby. Although the
actual size of each pair of doors is but 9 feet 5 inches high by 5 feet
wide, all are located in openings of a much larger area. In all cases,
except the two range openings which are 9 feet wide, the width
between the finished jambs is 8 feet 6 inches, but, while the openings

into the lobby from the vestibule and ranges are 13 feet and 13

feet 3 inches high, respectively, those into the vestibule from the
outside are 15 feet 42 inches high. The spaces resulting around the
actual door openings are occupied by glazed screens, providing lights
on either side, and a transom above divided into three lights by
the continuation of the mullions framing the doors. The outside
vestibule screens are placed 6 inches from the inside face of the
stone jambs and are separated from the grilles by 114 inches. Those
of the inside of the vestibule are built flush with the inside face of
the wall, as are also the range screens with the range side of the
openings. The glass is left clear in the doors and screens of the
vestibule, but is ground on one side in those leading into the ranges.
All doors are provided with checking spring hinges and stops, and
have top and bottom bolts and Yale paracentric locks. The four
doors to small rooms off the lobby are of cabinet oak and not glazed.

PARTITION WALLS AND INTERIOR FINISH
LIGHT WELLS AND CEILING LIGHTS

The light wells which occur over the middle section of the main
halls in the three wings pierce the second, third and attic stories.
They are all of the same design, entirely walled in, and have a ceil-
ing light about 18 inches below the level of the attic floor. Their
position and extent are indicated by the arrangement of the rows
of piers in the first story, by which their walls are mainly supported.
In width they are spaced equidistant between the outer and court
walls, but in each case the pavilion wall forms the enclosing wall at
one end, while the far wall is distant from the end of the wing 48
feet 6% inches in the east and west wings, and 36 feet 114 inches in
the north wing. The width is identical in all the wells, being 49
feet 44 inches between the finished wall surfaces, but while in the
east and west wings the length is 167 feet 14 inches, in the north
wing it is 64 inches greater. The height of the wells from the level
of the first story ceiling to the lower side of the ceiling light is 34
feet 8 inches.

58 : UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM |

In the second story the side and outer end walls have a
thickness of 2 feet but are hollow, being built of 3-inch terra e
blocks in two shells, which are tied together at intervals by cr
walls of the same material and also enclose the steel columns. Th
inside shell rests upon the floor construction, but the outer one is su )-
ported on auxiliary 12-inch I beams, level with the floor beams a ;
riveted on the light well side to the columns of the first story. In t
two succeeding stories the walls, also of terra cotta, are in a sing
shell 4 inches and 34 inches thick, respectively, the columns, enclos
in attached piers of 3-inch terra cotta, projecting on the floored si
of the walls. .

The enclosing walls in the second story, including those of
pavilion, are pierced by balcony openings 5 feet wide by 13 feet high
overlooking the hall below. These openings extend to the floor
are provided with railings 3 feet high, of simple design, construct
of wrought and cast iron, which uence 64 inches beyond the w
line of the light well and are supported on its lower cornice. ‘There
are three such openings on each side of each well, symmetrically
posed, and one at each end, except in the east wing where the easte
wall was left intact to receive a large decorative painting. The wall
spaces between the openings are molded, each having one panel ,
large or small, dependent on the size of the intervening area. ,

Extending rue around the lower edge of the light wells i
cornice of plain molded members, 3 feet 104 inches high. Its
lines with the second floor level; its lower edge with the bottom ¢ of
the exposed plaster beams of the first story ceiling , resting, like the: ,
on the molded caps of the hall piers. This cornice is carried up
steel furring and false work attached to the floor construction,
has a cast-iron shelf throughout its entire length. Near the thir
floor level there is another and more important cornice or rather é
tablature, since it embodies an architrave of plain molded mem
a frieze of Greek fret design and a cornice proper having ornam
moldings. It is 5 feet 10 inches high and, like the lower corni
supported on metal false work. Directly above this cornice and co
verging toward the center of the space is a cove 8 feet high, divic
into a series of panels by molded bands over each 184-foot unit o
building and terminating against a plaster beam forming an en
ing frame for the ceiling lights. The soffit of this beam is 52 fee
inches above the first floor level; the length of the area enclosed
it is 149 feet 4 inches in the east and west wings and 74 inches grea
in the north wing, the width in all being 31 feet 35 inches.

Although the third and attic stories are pierced by the light
they open upon an unfinished space intervening between the ce
lights and the skylights. |

BULLETIN 80 PL. 11

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

9} Jo BURIG,,

SUTJUIB

dou

*Soqr

‘Opis you

2IQOIOA [ISSOT JO UOTIIGIYXA “[TOA\ JUSIT 9 JO [[VM JUBISTP 91 UO ST ,.SAPLI,

oc

9 UO SidTd 8Yy} U99AM4OEq ST[BAL UI8IOS 9} PUB ‘YUSIT SuITIeO Jo y1¥ed ‘ssuruedo AUO

"AYOLS LSYI4 ‘ONIAA LSVZA ‘TIVH WWYLNaO

OTB UAT TAA JYSIT SULMOYS

Me Ea Ne GAT to ple
“2.
i

ee | NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 59
:

_ The ceiling lights are identical in design and construction in the
_ three wells. The glass area, which is of the same width in all,
namely, 29 feet 34 inches, is 147 feet 4 inches long in the east and
west wings and 147 feet 114 inches long in the north wing. All are
_ composed of panels of 4-inch wired plate glass, longitudinally ribbed
on the under surface, measuring 1 foot 54 inches by 5 feet 54 inches
and set in T-shaped vcaehied iron sash bars. The primary framing
of the lights as a whole consists of 15-inch channels around the outer
edge, and of 8-inch I beams running transversely and longitudinally
: across and along the lights. These give attachment to a framework
_ of light steel bars supporting the sash bars, and the entire framework
is suspended from the roof trusses of the skylights. The longitu-
dinal beams are embedded in the plaster work of beams which project
_ slightly from the under side of the light, and separate the central
_ portion of the light from glazed border bands, 4 feet 4 inches wide,
_ along the sides. The transverse beams occur above the longitudinal
ones and have suspended from them plaster beams similar to the
_ above, forming dividing lines across the light af, intervals of 18 feet
6 inches. The ceiling lights are reached from the upper side by
_means of wood walks for cleaning and repair.

mt SUBDIVISION OF THE STORIES

Plan of subdivision—The ground and third stories have been
- extensively subdivided into compartments for laboratories, the
_ storage of specimens, shops, offices, etc., and some simple partitions
have been built in the lofts, but in the first and second stories the
principal constructions of a subsidiary nature besides those enclosing
the light wells are certain screen walls introduced to subserve the
purposes of public installation. The enclosures of the elevator
shafts and stair wells in the north wing and the ranges, however, are
all built to a greater or less extent of terra cotta, though in all cases
_ but one they are partly bounded by structural walls, the same condi-
tions being repeated in all stories, and in the first and second stories
terra cotta screens enclose the space between the stair well and the
elevators in the north pavilion.
_ The subdivision of the ground and third stories has been based
- upon a uniform plan, which comprehends the utilization of nearly all
the window lighted space for working purposes and consequently the
placing of the corridors as far as possible or as far as was expedient
from the outer and court walls. The typical arrangement contem-
plated a corridor through the middle of each range and one around
the middle part of each wing, adjoining the light wells in the third
story and the dark area occupied by the piers in the ground story.
While the typical plan has been carried out with little deviation in

60 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

the third story, it has been subjected to marked changes in the ground
story, owing mainly to the fact that the latter has been adapted to
a greater variety of purposes. The corridors are generally 10 feet
wide, but in places their width is much greater, especially at the
outer ends of the wings and at elevator and stair landings.

The spaces between the corridors and the outer and court walls,

subdivided by cross partitions into rooms, vary in width for the most
part to the extent of only a few feet, but in some places these pre-
vailing dimensions are greatly exceeded. The cross partitions are
spaced almost entirely on the basis of the 184-foot length unit, which,
except in the case of certain closets, toilets, etc., has been the smallest
dimension recognized in the subdivision. Nearly all rooms of greater
size than this are multiples of the unit as regards length, and since
the cross partitions start at the middle of the piers between windows
the arrangement insures a full window space for each unit and ren-
ders feasible any future subdivision of the larger rooms on the same
basis. In furtherance of this plan a door opening has also been pro-
vided in the corridor or corresponding partition opposite each win-
dow, and, with few exceptions, communicating doors between rooms
occur in the cross partitions, being placed in a line throughout each
corridor section, and, so far as possible, in positions to permit of the
economical installation of standard furniture. The corridor open-
ings generally are 3 feet 6 inches wide, but the communicating door-
ways and those leading into toilet and housekeeping rooms are only
3 feet wide as a rule. The customary height of the openings is 7
feet.

Ground story.—The partition walls in the ground story are almost
entirely of brick and 9 inches thick, but in a few connections terra
cotta has been used. The subdivision of the east range is typical.
The piers are on the court side of the corridor, being detached from
the corridor wall in the northern section, but in the eastern section
the wall is built between the piers near their inner edges. The room
spaces enclosed between the corridor and the outer and court walls
vary in width in different sections from 18 feet 1 inch to 23 feet 11
inches. The length divisions within these enclosures average large,
ranging up to six units which is the greatest length dimension in the
building under similar conditions.

In the west range the corridor has been omitted, but the space on
the court side of the range has been enclosed by a continuous parti-
tion in the same manner as the corresponding part of the east range,

and the enclosed area has also been subdivided into rooms. Other-

wise the range has been left entirely open except for a small room
adjoining the north entrance lobby, a small compartment built at the
northwest corner of the range, and a vestibule at the entrance into
the west wing, in front of the freight elevator and service stairs.

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 61

The north wing between the north lobby and the south pavilion
contains two lengthwise partitions built in sections between the piers
of the outer rows and joining them near their outer edges. The
greater part of each pier, therefore, projects on the central space or
hall, which also contains two other rows of identical but detached
piers. The central hall is 147 feet 24 inches long and 52 feet 11
inches wide, while the side enclosures are 30 feet 5 inches wide. The
latter contain the main comfort and toilet rooms and other com-
partments.

The subdivision of the west wing closely follows the typical plan.
The middle part of the wing has been enclosed in a large but sub-
divided compartment, the walls of which are built between the piers
of the outer rows excluding the crossrow at the extreme west and
the easternmost pier of the northern row. These walls extend from
the floor to the ceiling without transoms or other openings than those
for the doors, of which there is one in each 184-foot unit on the north
and south sides. The piers between which the walls are built stand
mostly within the enclosure, but project to the extent of 42 inches on
the outside of the walls. The compartment is divided lengthwise
through the middle by a continuous wall of macite, and again by two
eross partitions of the same material into four subcompartments of
unequal size, designed for the storage of alcoholic specimens.

- Corridors on the north and south sides of the central compartment

separate it from the window-lighted spaces,along the outer and court
walls, which are subdivided into rooms, with door openings opposite
those of the large compartment. These corridors are enclosed at
their outer ends by walls provided with double doors. There is a
locker and toilet room in the northeast corner of the wing, and two
large rooms in the northwest and southwest corners, at the sides of
the inner driveway with which they communicate as well as with
the body of the wing.

In the east wing, the entire southern side, to a maximum width
of 33 feet 6 inches, has been separated from the remainder of the
wing by successive partitions built between the piers of the southern
row, and partly provided above with large fixed glass transoms or
borrowed lights. The space so enclosed along the south front is sub-
divided into three large and two small rooms, all of which, except
one of the latter used for toilet purposes, are equipped as construction
and repair shops, and have large communicating openings, 8 feet
wide by 10 feet high, fitted with fireproof doors of special design.
The long partition bounds on the south the space occupied by the
steam and electrical plant, which is entirely open at the western
end. The boiler room is enclosed on three sides and a partition
extends along the north side of the engine room. Separated from
the latter by a corridor is a series of small rooms facing the court

62 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

and built in accordance with the typical plan, which are used as
machine shops, etc. A large compartment at the northeast corner of
the wing serves as a coal bunker, and another large room has been
formed by walling off about two-thirds of the width of the space
originally included in the inner driveway.

In order to light the corridors their walls are mostly provided.
with transoms, which also occur in certain other long walls opposite
windows. Typically, each 184-foot unit or bay of these walls con-
tains a rectangular opening, 13 feet 9 inches long, which begins 11
feet above the floor and has a height of 4 feet 8 inches. These light
units are divided by steel mullions into five equal windows with
double sash, the lower staticnary, the upper hung on chains and
weights so that it can be entirely lowered. The frames, which are
set in the middle of the 9-inch walls, the sash, trims, etec., are of
molded pressed steel; the glass, of which there is an area of 362
square feet in each unit, is clear plate, wired, and + inch thick.
This arrangement has been followed in the two ranges, in the north
wing, and in the north and south walls of the lengthwise corridors
of the west wing. In the north wing the openings have plaster
molded sills, but elsewhere they are flush all around. The transom
lights in the east wing and in a few other isolated positions are of
simpler construction. ;

First and second stories.—In the east and west wings of the first
story the central skylighted parts of the great halls have been screened
from the aisles at the sides by plain plastered walls of the entire
height of the story, which are built between the piers of the lateral
rows except in the outer interspace at both ends of each of these
rows. In the east hall these walls are of brick and 10 inches thick,
but in the west hall they are of macite reenforced with steel rods and
44 inches thick.

In the central hall of the north wing, where the walls were built
for hanging pictures, the construction is quite different, consisting
of a reenforced macite core covered on both sides with wood, which
in turn is covered with burlap. The area comprised within the
screening extends to the crossrow of piers at the north, and the walls
return at both ends so as wholly to enclose the space except for the
entrances, of which there is one at each end. The walls are only
18 feet 11 inches high, leaving an opening of 3 feet between their
top and the under surface of the ceiling girders which span the piers.
The enclosure is subdivided by partitions of the same height and

character as the outer walls into eight rooms with three short

corridors.
The space between the stairs and elevator shaft at the extreme —

northern end of the north wing is enclosed in front by a hollow wall

of terra cotta, 23 inches thick, which encloses four structural columns

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 63

and is pierced opposite the large windows with three large openings.
This construction is repeated in the second story, where the walls are
214 inches thick and contain five openings. In this story, moreover,
the side walls of the light well also carry through to the above
described wall, each having a large opening.

Besides the above, the only other walls of a subsidiary character
in these two stories are those of the light wells, the elevator shafts
and adjoining small rooms, and the stair wells, already referred to.

Third story—The width of the ranges, measuring 54 feet 2 inches
in the other stories, is in this story reduced to 51 feet 10 inches by
a furring of 3-inch terra cotta blocks built in front of the sloping
mansards in order to obtain straight vertical walls between the win-
dows, which are deeply recessed. This furring occupies a width of
13 feet 12 inches in each interspace between windows, and the spaces
enclosed by it contain the steel columns or struts supporting the outer
ends of the roof trusses. Additional terra cotta furring, 8 inches
thick, is built against the structural wall around the windows for the
purpose of giving greater outside reveal to the latter and of pro-
viding space in the jambs for the weight boxes.

The typical plan of subdivision has been closely adhered to in the
third story except on the north side of the west wing, where the
entire space between the light well and the court wall has been left
undivided. The corridors extend through the middle of each range
and around three sides of each light well in the wings, the second
gallery in the rotunda furnishing passageway on the fourth side
and serving as a means of communication between the wings. The
corridors have a uniform width of 10 feet except at the north end of
the north wing and at the juncture of the ranges with the east and
west wings, where they are wider. The spaces between the corridors
and the outer and court walls vary in width from 19 feet 7 inches
to 22 feet 84 inches, except at the outer ends of the east and west
wings, where they are 37 feet 94 inches wide, and at the northern end
of the north wing, where they are only 16 feet 94 inches wide. The
subdivisions or rooms formed by cross partitions in these window-
lighted spaces are generally of the dimensions of one and two units,
in two cases reaching three units and in a third four units. A few
exceptions occur, as in connection with the toilets and certain small

rooms used for closets and other purposes, and also at the outer ends

a
ey
—¥

of the wings and the corners of the ranges, where the outer walls do
not entirely conform in measurement to the common unit.

With the exception of the walls enclosing the rooms at the northern
end of the north wing, the toilet rooms and the stairs leading to the
lofts, which are of terra cotta, the partitions in the third story are
built of expanded metal or metal lath, embedded in cement mortar
and finished with plaster mortar to a thickness of 2 inches, The

64 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

metal is stiffened by means of 1-inch channel studs, spaced 16 inches. a
The typical door jambs have 2-inch channel bucks, but in the west
wing most of the doors have wood bucks. The ceilings throughout
the ranges are of the same construction, finished only on the lower
side, and are supported by means of wiring from the 1-inch channels —
to 4-inch I beams, which run transversely across the ranges. a
The corridors are all well lighted by means of transoms, and in
addition each of the two corridors running north and south in the —
ranges extends to a window in the north wall. The side walls of the
light wells in the wings are pierced by windows beginning at a height
of 7 feet from the floor and extending to the ceiling, which is 12 feet —
high. The windows occupy the entire width of each of the spaces
between the column piers, namely, 16 feet 8 inches, and are divided
by mullions into three sashes, each of which is subdivided by vertical
muntins into three lights. Of the lights thus formed the extreme —
outer one on each side is hinged to open. The same arrangement
occurs in the walls at the outer ends of the light wells, but the width _
of the windows is reduced to 16 feet 6 inches. The construction isof
steel and the glass is of ribbed and wired plate, 4 inch thick. These
windows open back of the cove at the top of the light wells and into ~
the space above the ceiling lights. The corridor partitions enclosing _
the deep rooms at the outer ends of the east and west wings have
large and practically continuous fixed transoms opposite those in the
walls of the light well, designed to aid in the illumination of the
inner parts of these rooms. iy
In addition to the borrowed lights above described there is, with
minor exceptions, a transom above and individual to each door in the
corridor partitions throughout the story. It has the width of the
door opening, above which it extends 3 feet 4 inches, the upper 8
inches containing a wire ventilating screen while the remaining space
is filled in with ribbed and wired glass. In the ranges, moreover, the —
upper panel of these doors is glazed with the same kind of glass. Mt
Attic story—The walls of the light wells in the attic or lofts, like
those in the second story, are provided with windows which are, how- —
ever, confined to the long sides. The openings have the width of the ©
interspaces between piers, begin 3 feet 94 inches above the floor and
have a total height of 4 feet. The lower 2 feet 10 inches is divided
by mullions into three sashes of nearly equal size, and each of these
again by muntins into three vertical lights. Next above is a 2-inch ~
transom bar, followed by long transom lights, 1 foot high. All
trims, frames, sills, etc., are of molded steel, and all lights are sta-
tionary. The glass is ied plate with a ribbed surface. The outer —
end wall of Bie of the light wells has two doors, 4 feet 6 inches a 4
which give access to the walks over the ceiling lohe 70

PaaS SS eee
Aa ee

8%

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 65

Each of the wings contains certain constructions, described else-
where, pertaining to the ventilating system, and a number of com-
partments have been enclosed by means of macite for the storage of
specimens under special fire-proof conditions.

WALL, PIER AND CEILING FINISH

All steel structural columns in the several stories, other than those
entirely concealed in double terra cotta walls, are so enclosed as to
produce piers rectangular in section whether isolated or attached,
the covering serving as a fire protection for the steel and adding to
the appearance of the halls. In the north entrance lobby the enclos-
ing material is marble, but elsewhere terra cotta, plastered, is ex-
clusively employed. All piers in the first and second stories and also
the finished brick piers in the ground story have plaster-molded caps
and a base member of the same material surmounting a marble base
corresponding with that of the adjacent or surrounding walls. In
the third story and attic, however, the piers are finished plain, with a
cement base in the third story.

In the first story of the wings the piers measure in section 2 feet
by 3 feet, except the two corner ones near the outer ends of the wings
which are 2 feet by 5 feet. In both the first and second stories of the
ranges, where they are 2 feet 2 inches square over their greatest
dimensions, they have pilasters on all sides, 19 inches wide and pro-
jecting 34 inches. In the third story of the wings, except as noted,
the terra cotta coverings are built: into the walls of the light wells so
as to form attached piers, 23 inches wide and projecting 17 inches.
The corner piers at the outer ends of the east.and west wings, four
in all, which stand separate from the walls and slightly out of align-
ment with the other piers in the side rows, measure 23 inches square,
while the two piers in the ranges, one each in the northeast and north-
west corners, measure 232 by 233 inches. In the attic spaces of
the wings the attached and detached piers of the third story are re-
peated, the former measuring 224 by 154 inches, the latter about 20
by 23 inches.

With the exceptions already and herewith noted, the surfaces of
walls, piers and ceilings throughout the interior of the building have
been treated with three-coat lime plaster having a fine lme putty

_finish. In all ornamental work plaster of Paris has been used in the

proportion of 75 per cent of the mortar. All corners on plastered
walls, piers and pilasters not otherwise protected are strengthened
with heavy steel corner strips, extending 10 feet above the tops of
the bases. Keene’s cement of the quality known as “ fine ” or second

grade has been employed for the architraves, jambs and heads of

_many openings, such as those between the wings and the ranges and

80120°—Bull. 80—183——5

66 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

between the wings and the south pavilion in the several stories be-
tween the ground story and the attic, in certain parts of the middle
section of the ground story and in the second story balcony openings

through the light wells. Marble composes the entire wall finish of

the north entrance vestibule and has also been extensively used in the
adjoining lobby and in all of the toilet rooms.

In the east wing, in the central enclosed space in the west wing,
and in certain small compartments of the ground story, where the
walls have simply been painted, the arched contours of the ceiling
construction have been left exposed, though the surfaces are plastered.
All ceilings elsewhere below the attic, except that of the auditorium,
have been finished flat, metal furring being generally used for the
purpose in the ground story but not required in the other stories

where the terra cotta construction is normally fiat. In the third —

story the lower surface of the girder coverings is flush with that of
the remainder of the ceiling, which is, therefore, uniformly level
throughout. In the ground, first and. second stories, however, the
structural girders with their terra cotta coverings, extending cross-

wise of the wings and ranges and over the piers, project a consider- —

able distance below the general surface of the ceilings. For appear-
ance sake, false girders on metal furring, in imitation of the others,

have been built longitudinally from pier to pier throughout each ;

row, completing the general effect of a pronounced paneling of the
ceilings. In the ground story the finished girders have a width of
3 feet and a projection of 1 foot 9 inches; in the first and second
stories they are 1 foot 8 inches wide and project 2 feet 4 inches.

Other than the decorative plaster work of the south pavilion and

north entrance vestibule and lobby, the panel over the north entrance
stairs and the treatment of the light wells, molded work is entirely
confined to the pier and pilaster caps and bases, and the ceiling
girders, the soffit of each of which is recessed to form an elongated
panel, their surfaces being otherwise plain.

All plastered walls, piers, and ceilings have been painted with
several coats of ii lead and oil, and finished plainly in accord-
ance with a scheme of limited range of light colors, which has been
admirably conceived and carried out. For the main walls and the
piers throughout the first and second, or exhibition, stories, a uniform
light grayish green has been employed, while the ceilings of these
stories and the inner surfaces of the light wells as also of the screen
walls in the east and west halls are in ivory and ivory-gray tones.
Ivory tones have likewise been used for the plastered surfaces of the

south pavilion, the north entrance vestibule and lobby, and the cen- _

tral hall in the ground story of the north wing.

The only decorative coloring is furnished by a large painting on
canvas, measuring 25 feet long by 11 feet high, which is framed

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 67

against the wall surface of the second story at the eastern end of the
central skylighted hall in the east wing. It is entitled “Diana of
the Tides,” and represents the goddess standing erect in her chariot,
a rainbow-tinted sea-shell drawn by four horses which typify the
flow of the tides, their action repeating and amplifying the rhythm
of the breaking waves. The moon behind the goddess in the east rises
through the purple shadows that follow the setting of the sun in the
west. The work was executed by Mr. John Elliott and is a gift to the
Museum from Mr. and Mrs. Larz Anderson.

FINISHED FLOORS

Four different kinds of material have been employed for the fin-
ished floors, namely, a terrazzo pavement throughout the first and
second stories and in the north central hall in the ground story, all of
which are intended for exhibition purposes, and also in the audi-
torium; marble in the south pavilion, the north entrance vestibule
and lobby and the toilet rooms; wood in nearly all parts of the build-
ing which are constantly occupied by employees, including the entire
third floor with the exception of a few rooms, both ranges and most
of the side rooms of the wings in the ground story, and a few isolated
rooms elsewhere; and cement in the wing spaces of the lofts, in the
ground story east and west wings outside of the side rooms containing
wood floors, in the corridor in front of the east freight elevator in the
lower story, and in certain small rooms and closets in the first, second
and third stories. The marble floors are described in connection with
the several sections and compartments of the building in which they
occur. ‘The character and construction of the other floors are as
follows:

Terrazzo floors—The terrazzo pavement is of a high grade, con-
taining a relatively large percentage of marble, the pieces of which
range in size somewhat above the average customarily employed in
this work. Two kinds of marble have been used, Sienna and Verona,
the former varying in color from cream to a deep yellow, the lat-
ter being yellow and very dark red. The matrix consists of
14 inches of Portland cement mortar, laid upon a base of
Portland cement concrete which in turn rests upon the floor
construction. These floors have been laid in rectangular blocks
forming regular courses extending both lengthwise of and across
the halls, but there is some variation in the dimensions of blocks
and consequently in the widths of courses, which measure gen-
erally from 4 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 3 inches, in order to carry the
pier base lines, etc. By first constructing alternate blocks in diagonal
lines and allowing these to harden before the others were added, dis-

_tinet joints have been formed between the blocks, designed to direct

68 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

the course of cracks occurring from any cause. The customary dull
surface.of the terrazzo floors has been brightened and the colors of
the marble have been brought out by the application of a mixture of :
wax, raw linseed oil, turpentine and drier, followed after the lapse of a
a few days, by scrubbing with a weak solution of lye in warm water.
The color effect so produced varies from a brownish to a grayish
yellow.

Wood floors.—The lumber used for the wood floors is of uniform —
first quality Georgia pine, close edge grain, all heart wood, and
specified to contain not exceeding 10 per cent of sound sap in any
piece. The boards are 24 inches wide, tongued and grooved, and
dressed to a thickness of 14 inches. The sleepers are of the same
kind and grade of lumber. They measure 2 by 3 inches, and rest —
upon a concrete base. In the third story a shallow space or air
chamber, with cement fire stops, underlies the flooring, but in the
ground story the entire space between the sleepers is filled with
cinder concrete. As all partitions except a few built since the com-
pletion of the building reach to the concrete base, the floors are
individual to each room, connecting only at door openings.

Cement floors—The cement floors consist of a top coating 1 inch
thick, composed of Portland cement and clean sharp sand, followed
by a binder, which in the ground story is 3 inches thick and is laid
upon a concrete base, but in the other stories is 4 inches thick and
rests directly on the floor construction. The surface, except in con-
fined spaces, is cut by grooves into squares measuring from about
3 to 34 feet across.

WALL BASES

Nearly all walls and piers in the several stories below the attic,
with the exception of most of the east wing and the enclosed middle
part of the west wing in the ground story, are finished with bases
which have already been described for some parts of the building.
Pink Tennessee marble, 12 inches high, occurs in connection with
all the terrazzo floors, the marble floors outside of the south pavilion _
and toilet rooms, and the wood floors in the middle wing and ranges
of the ground story. In the south pavilion and rotunda the bases
are also of Tennessee marble, the roseal variety being used on the
main floor and the pink variety in the galleries, but their height
varies in the different stories. In the toilet rooms they are of white
marble. Cement has been employed in connection with the cement
floors, and also with the wood floors throughout the third story and _
in the ground story of the west wing. The bases of this material
measure generally 12 inches high in the ground story and 8} inches
high in the third story. In a few small office rooms wood has been ~ f
used.

fe

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 69

WINDOWS AND DOORS
WINDOWS

There is a marked structural difference between the windows of
the first and second stories, containing the exhibition halls, and those
of the ground and third stories, the former being framed with metal
while the latter have frames and trims of wood.

Ground story windows.—With a few exceptions, the windows in
the ground story are of a common pattern, casement and wood
construction. Those in the outer walls,’where the openings measure
10 feet wide by 10 feet 6 inches high, are divided vertically by
two mullions, each 3 feet to the side-of the center of the opening.
The large middle section so formed is subdivided into three equal
parts by vertical muntins, and each of the narrow sides into three
lights by horizontal muntins. Except in the east wing, only the two
lower lights on each side are hinged to open, the movable sash being
held in angle iron frames by smaller angle irons fastened from the
outside. With a total window area of about 103 square feet, of
which about 73 feet are glazed, the aggregate area of the movable
sash equals about 14 square feet. A much larger area of movable
sash, amounting to 46 square feet, is obtained in each of the windows
en the south side of the east wing, where the carpenter and paint
shops are located adjacent to the boiler and engine room, by pro-
viding three hinged sashes in the middle sections of the windows in
addition to the typical side openings. The vertical and horizontal
muntins of the center division of these windows are formed of 2-inch
T bars.

The windows of the court walls agree in details of construction
with those of the outer walls, but as the typical openings measure
11 feet wide and 11 feet 2 inches high, there is a corresponding in-
crease in the size of the lights in both fixed and movable sash. The
hinged sash are typical except on the north side of the east wing

_where they are similar to those on the south side of the same wing.

Narrower court windows at the junction of walls, measuring 9 feet
5 inches wide, carry the same horizontal lines as the typical windows,
but the vertical mullions and muntins are spaced to give movable
and fixed sash of similar ratio to the total window width as in the ©
larger windows. Of the eight large doorways in the court walls five
have been transformed into windows by closing the lower part of the
openings which are of the same width and character as in the typical
windows.

The window construction is of white pine, except the hanging stiles
which are of yellow pine; the inside casings, trims, sills, aprons, etc.,
which are of cabinet oak; and the iron work of the movable sash.
The glass is polished plate and clear, except in the toilet rooms where
it is ground on the inside face.

70 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

Exceptions to the style of window above Grane varying in
size, mostly narrow and all of iron construction, occur in the south
and north pavilions, and in the court walls of the stair towers and
service stair wells.

First and second story windows.—In bles to adequately light ‘ae
- wide exhibition halls, the extent of window surface as compared with
wall surface in the first and second stories has been made propor-
tionately very great. The window openings, as elsewhere explained,
are continuous through both stories, measuring 31 feet 10 inches high
in the outer walls of the east and west wings, and 31 feet 6 inches
high in the range and court walls, from the top of the masonry sill
which is 3 feet 11 inches above the first floor level. In the outer
walls of the east and west wings they reach to within 5 feet 2 inches
of the ceiling of the second story, and in the range and court walls
to within 5 feet 6 inches of the ceiling. The width of the openings is
11 feet 6 inches in the outer walls and typically 11 feet in the court
walls, making the intervening piers 7 feet wide in the former and
7 feet 6 inches wide in the latter.

The window construction, which carries the effect of a single
window throughout the entire height of each opening, is almost en-
tirely of molded steel, rigidly fastened to the masonry of the open-
ing. Though substantially put together, it presents an appearance
of great lightness and permits the use of an exceptional amount of
glass for the area covered by the frame. The windows are deeply
recessed from the outside, but are nearly flush with the interior sur-
face of the walls. The panels which separate the upper from the
lower windows and cover the steel construction of the second floor
where it crosses the openings are 2 feet 11 inches wide and built of
No. 20 steel, decorated on the outer surface with rosettes of stamped
zinc inserted in molded panels.

With respect to their framework, the windows are divided by
44-inch mullions into three principal sections, and the middle and
larger section again by 14-inch vertical muntins into three parts.
These vertical lines carry through both stories. In the first story the
two side divisions are divided by horizontal muntins into five equal
lights. The lowest muntin, however, also extends entirely across
the window, and the two outer subdivisions thus formed in the

central section of the window have lights with angle iron frames, —

hinged at the top to open out. In the second story the side divi-
sions are also divided by muntins into five parts, the upper division

being smaller than the others, and the line carrying entirely across

the top of the window as a transom bar. As in the first story, the
lower muntins also extend across the middle division and there
are two movable sashes in each window, being the second ight from
the bottom in each side or jamb division.

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 71

The frames, sills, mullions, muntins and inside trim are entirely
of No. 20 gauge molded steel. On the exterior where the metal has
contact with the stone or brick work, heavy tinned sheet copper has
been used. The sills and other projections on which workmen are
likely to step in cleaning or painting are filled with concrete, and all
muntins are stiffened with a metal core. The glass is polished plate,
f-inch thick, with the inner surface evenly ground, except in the
north pavilion where it has been left plain. It is held in the frames
by a fixed molded metal bead on the outside and a movable wood
bead on the inside. The metal work on the exterior has been painted
a light color in harmony with the white granite.

The inside sill of the first story windows is 4 feet 44 inches and
the lower glass line 4 feet 74 inches above the floor line. The win-
dow height from glass line to glass line is 14 feet 54 inches. The
glass area in each of the outer windows is 149 square feet, of which
124 square feet is movable. In the court windows of the same floor
the glass area is 142 square feet, of which 12 square feet is mov-
able. In the second story the sill line is only 42 inches, and the glass
line 6 inches above the floor level. The window height from glass
line to glass line is 13 feet 6? inches in the outer walls of the wings
and 13 feet 24 inches in the ranges and all court walls. The glass
area is as follows: In the outside windows of the wings, 139 square
feet, with 7 square feet movable; in the outside windows of the
ranges, 136 square feet, with 6% square feet movable; and in the
windows of the courts, 129 square feet, with 6% feet movable.

Windows other than those of the typical size and construction,
being smaller and of simple design with metal frames, occur in the
first and second stories in the walls of and adjacent to the stair
towers and those of the service stair wells on the court side, and in
the lateral projections of the north pavilion and the recessed walls
of the south portico.

Third story windows.—There are three general sizes of window
openings in this story, but the windows are all of the double-hung
type, the sash opening at both top and bottom. The openings in
the facades of the east and west wings are in pairs separated by a
granite mullion, and measure 4 feet wide by 6 feet 8 inches high.
Those over the entrances in the north pavilion are also in pairs,
but of slightly larger size, while the dormer openings of the
ranges are 5 feet wide by 7 feet high. The typical openings in the
court walls are 11 feet wide by 7 feet high, but are divided into
three sections by wood mullions, the middle section being much wider
than the others; and the smaller court windows, 9 feet 5 inches wide,
are divided in the same manner. In all of these windows white pine
has been used for the sash, outside sills, staff beads, etc.; and cabinet
oak, for the inside casings, trims, stools, etc. The glass is polished

ie UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

plate and clear, except in the lower sash of the toilet rooms where
it is ground on the inside.

OUTER AND COURT DOORS

The doors at the north and south public entrances to the building —
have already been described. ‘Those at the three other entrances are

as follows: The opening into the ground story of the south pavilion
from the passageway under the main approach, measuring 6 feet wide
by 13 feet high, is provided with double doors, having a large glass
panel in each leaf, and a transom. The openings and doors at the
wagon entrances, of which there are two at the outer ends of both

the east and west wings, are identical in all respects. The openings —

are 10 feet wide by 15 feet 10 inches high, and the doors are double-
jeaved, entirely of wood, 24 inches thick and paneled, the two lower
panels of one of the leaves on each side of the building being hinged
to form a wicket gate. The doors are pivoted at the jambs, top and
bottom. At the edge of the wagon platform inside of the northern
door of this series on the east side, a large hinged door screen in
four sections or leaves has been introduced, mainly to keep out the
dust from the coal which is delivered to the bunker in the driveway
at this place. It consists of wood framework covered with sheet
steel, fills the entire opening which is 15 feet 8 inches wide by 16
feet high, and is provided with a small wicket gate.

In the three large openings in the court walls of the ground story
finished to give access to the courts, the doors, which are glazed, cor-
respond with the windows in appearance and measure 10 feet 64

inches wide by 9 feet 6 inches high, having a transom above. They

are double-leaved, 21 inches thick, and have wood frames and trims.
The bottom rails carry the sill line of the adjacent windows and
have horizontal panels. Above the rail each leaf is divided into
three vertical lights by muntins, the same divisions continuing
through above the transom bar. There is also a small glazed wood
door opening into the courts at the base of each stair tower.

INSIDE DOORS

While a great diversity exists among the doors provided for dif-
ferent parts of the building, the majority, being chiefly those con-
nected with the rooms in the ground and third stories, conform to a
common pattern and are of two sizes. Both steel and wood have been
employed in their construction, principally the former, and the doors
of this material have been distributed with reference to securing as
adequate fire protection as possible for the rooms individually and
for sections of the building. The doors not belonging to the common
pattern have mostly been designed to meet special requirements and

ws Pe eae tir ares
TE le Ny et, Re ea ee ene

Vibe wa
aa

Y)

yey

Le

+ ia" tht Mand pie Ear ced
ai an

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 13

have in part been described in connection with those parts of the
building in which they are located.

Closing the large openings in the ground story between the east
and west ranges and the east and west wings, respectively, which
measure 12 feet wide by 15 feet high, are doors and transoms of
small lights of glass framed in steel and so subdivided and hinged
that any part or all of the structure may be opened. The corre-
sponding though smaller openings between the ranges and the north
wing at the entrance lobby have double doors of large plates of glass
set in bronze frames. The three partitions dividing the construction
and repair shops along the south side of the east wing in the ground
story have communicating openings 8 feet wide by 10 feet high, and
there is another opening of the same size giving access to this suite
of rooms from the corridor in front of the boiler room. All of these
are provided with single-leaved doors of vitribestos framed and
stiffened by steel bars and angles, hung on an inclined overhead
track, and arranged to close automatically by gravity in case of fire
through the melting of a fusible link in the rope by means of
which they are held open. As they are intended to be kept generally
closed, each has a small wicket gate for ordinary use. The audi-
torium entrance doors and those at each end of the adjoining lobby,
all double-leaved, occupy semicircular-headed openings of approxi-
mately the same size, but the former are of black walnut with a
transom, while the latter are of steel and the doors themselves fill
the entire opening. There are double steel doors in the walls closing
the ends of the two main corridors in the west wing of the ground
story, and each of the two rooms at the outer end of this wing has
double steel-covered doors on the side facing the wagon entrance in
addition to a door of the typical pattern at the principal entrance.
The small rooms in the several stories on the south side of the south

pavilion are all provided with wood doors, but the twelve openings

occurring between this pavilion and the three wings in the third and
attic stories are occupied by heavy double steel doors.

The typical room doors used in the ground and third stories are
7 feet high and of two widths, 3 feet 6 inches and 3 feet, the former
being the width of the entrance openings in the corridor walls and
the latter that of the communicating openings between rooms. ‘The
total number of doors of this pattern is slightly in excess of three
hundred. It was the original intention to have them all of steel,
but for reasons of economy wood was substituted for about one-third
of the number. In the distribution of the two kinds, metal has
been selected for the corridor openings and wood for the communi-
cating openings, with the following principal exceptions: All of the
typical entrance doors in the east and north wings in the ground
story are of wood, since the fire risk is not serious in either of these

qa - UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

places, and metal has been used in both stories for a number of the
communicating doors which are so distributed as to furnish com-
plete fireproof walls at intervals in each of the sections enclosed by
the corridor partitions. In the third story the doors of the toilet
and housekeeping rooms and the closets under the several attic stairs
are of wood.

The doors of both materials are made alike on the two sides. They
are constructed with a single large sunken panel, except in the case

of the entrance doors in the ranges of the third story, which have ~
two panels, one above the other, the upper being of glass to facilitate

the lighting of the corridors. ‘The wood doors are of red oak veneer

on a core of white pine, stained a slightly greenish brown color and

having a dull cabinet finish. The metal doors are of molded pressed
steel, with the stiles and rails 13 inches, and the panel ;% inch thick,
the latter being surrounded by {-inch molding. The space inter-
vening between the metal of the two sides is filled with a fire-resisting
composition. These doors are painted and grained in close imitation

of the wood doors, and while much heavier their greater weight is —

scarcely appreciable in opening and closing.

In the ground story the stiles and top rail of all doors are 5 inches
wide, while the bottom rail is 12 inches wide and in all entrance
doors has built into it a cast-iron electro-bronze plated register of the
width of the panel and 6 inches high, to aid in the circulation of air
between the corridors and the rooms. The single paneled doors in
the third story have the same width of stiles and top rail, but the
bottom rail is only 84 inches wide and lacks the register opening.
These measurements also apply to the entrance doors in the ranges
of the third story, which, however, have an intermediate rail 6
inches wide at a height of 3 feet 2 inches to its center above the
floor. The lower and smaller panel so formed is of metal, but the
upper is set with ribbed and wired glass.

In the 9-inch brick walls of the ground story the doors are hung
at one side of the opening, the inner in the case of entrance doors, and
the other side has a plaster reveal returning into the jambs and stop-
ping against wood bucks. With the metal doors, a metal staff bead
covers the joint between the plaster and the buck and metal trims
are provided on the door side, the bucks being thereby wholly covered
with steel. Wood trims accompany the wood doors.

In the 2-inch expanded metal and plaster partitions of the third

story most of the door openings are framed by 2-inch channel iron _

bucks, which, in the case of entrance but not of communicating doors,
extend 3 feet 4 inches above the door for transom purposes. The

upper 8 inches of this area has a ventilating screen of No. 12 bronze ~
wire with -inch mesh, the remaining space being glazed with ribbed
wire glass. All transom bars and all parts connected with the ma-

Se pa

eo hig

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING Vo

jority of the metal entrance doors are of metal without trims on either
side. On the south side of the west wing, however, there are metal
trims on both sides of all openings having metal doors and wood
trims where wood doors occur. These door openings, moreover, are
provided with wood bucks, as are also those in the terra cotta parti-
tions of the suite of rooms at the north end of the north wing, the
toilet and housekeeping rooms, and the attic stairs.

All entrance doors open into the rooms and all doors have wood
thresholds except those of the toilet rooms in the third story and the
rooms opening into the middle hall in the ground story, which are
provided with marble thresholds, and two of the small rooms com-
municating with the north entrance lobby, where the material is
cement.

All doors of the typical pattern are hung with three 44 by 44-inch
hinges, except the wood communicating doors fitting against metal
bucks in the third story, which have two 4-inch hinges. The locks
are morticed and of the paracentric pattern. A large number of
the entrance doors are also provided with checks of the Blount type
and with stops. Essentially all exposed parts of the hardware are
of cast bronze, antique color, or electroplated in imitation thereof.

MISCELLANEOUS
STAIRS

The building contains three stairs for public use, two of which
occupy the tower-like constructions at the northern corners of the
south pavilion, the third being located on the eastern side of the north
pavilion. Beginning in the ground story, the former extend to the
attic or fourth story, while the latter stops at the third story. They
are of similar detail treatment, consisting of marble and ornamental
iron work fastened on structural steel framing, but differ in the ar-
rangement of the runs and platforms. The wells of the tower stairs
are elongate in plan and 13 feet 103 inches wide by 35 feet 84 inches.
deep, but that of the northern stairs is practically square, measuring
22 feet 34 inches across and 22 feet 53 inches deep. Ten-inch stringer
I beams, carried in three lines, one under the center and one on each
side of the runs of stairs, furnish attachment for the metal work nec-
essary to support and fasten the steps, facia and handrails, and also
enter into the framing of the platforms between floors. The width
of the tower stairs from the wall to the center of the handrail is 5
feet 114 inches, and of the northern stairs, 6 feet.

Beginning with a cast-iron newel in the ground story, the rail is
continuous on all runs and platforms to the top of the stairs. The
rail proper is of cast iron but the other straight members are of
wrought iron. The latter carry a continuous volute and rosette mo-

76 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

tive in cast iron, which forms the principal metal ornamentation of © i

the sides of the stairs. Below this the string has top and bottom leaf
decorative bands of cast iron, which form a frame for panels of pol-
ished roseal Tennessee marble, continuous with the runs and plat-
forms. The level sections of the rail, which occur only on the floor
levels, are 3 feet and the raked sections 3 feet 3 inches high from the
riser line to the top of the rail. Where the northern stairs cross the
window openings grilles corresponding in detail and height to the
stair rail are provided on the window side. With the tower stairs,
however, grilles carrying the same horizontal members as the rails,
but having vertical bars instead of the running volute motive, occur.

The treads, risers and platforms are of gray Tennessee marble with
a fine hone surface. In all stairs the lower steps in the ground story
curve around the newel, which rests upon a solid block of marble.
The curved treads and risers are. in several pieces, but the straight
ones are each of a single piece. The rise of the steps is 6 inches; the
treads are 24 inches thick and the straight treads 12 inches wide from
nose to nose. The landings of the northern stairs between floors are
in single marble slabs, while those of the tower stairs are tiled and
bordered. The side walls of the wells and the under sides of the
stairs are plastered.

Besides the public stairs, there are two small service stairs, one on
each side of the building adjoining the freight elevators, which ex-
tend from the ground story to the third story. The wells are 9 feet
23 inches wide and are occupied to a depth of 17 feet inch. These
stairs are 3 feet 4 inches wide, and have two long runs and one short
cross-run with intervening platforms in each story. The stringers,
treads, risers and newels are of cast iron, but the balusters and the
top and bottom rails to which they are fastened are of wrought iron,
with oak handrail. The treads have sunken panels which are filled
with rubber tread mats.

In addition to the southern public stairways, access to the attic
from the third story is furnished by four flights of service stairs, one
near each of the freight elevators and two in the northern end of the
north wing. These stairs are 4 feet 6 inches wide and have walls on
both sides. They are built entirely of cast iron. The main roofs are
reached from the attic by means of steps at the northern end of the
north wing, and the pediment roofs of the south pavilion by stairs
from the fourth story leading to doors in the drum of the rotunda.

ELEVATORS

The building is equipped with six electric elevators of the Otis
Elevator Company pattern, four being for passengers and two for

freight. The former are arranged in two pairs, one of which is

mt Wee 2 ae, tee ee

a=

el ls Sead ta a eB A Me

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 77

located in the south pavilion, the other in the north pavilion, thus
furnishing service at the two main entrances. The southern elevators
run from the ground story to the fourth story, and their machinery is
placed at the top of the hatchways in the attic of the pavilion, but the
northern run only to the third story and their machinery is contained
in a pit below the level of the ground floor. The machines are of the
tandem worm and gear type with motors of about 25 horse power
each. The southern cars measure 4 feet 10 inches by 7 feet 6 inches,
the northern 6 feet by 6 feet 6 inches. All have a live load capacity of
2,500 pounds at a speed of 250 feet a minute, and a maximum capacity
of 3,000 pounds at 200 feet a minute. The doors to the southern
elevators are separated by a narrow wall space, but at the northern
entrance the cast-iron grille work extends continuously across both
elevators on all floors.

The freight elevators are placed one on each side of the building
at the southern end of the ranges where they adjoin the east and west
wings. They travel from the ground story to the attic and in the
lower story are near the two large entrances to the building at which
freight is received. The inside dimensions of the two cars, which
are identical in all respects, are 7 feet 3 inches by 11 feet 4 inches by
12 feet high, and their lifting capacity is 6,000 pounds at 70 feet a
minute, with an overload capacity of 12,000 pounds at slow speed.
The machines, which are of the same size and type as those connected
with the passenger elevators, are contained in separate glazed enclos-
ures located on the ground floor in the adjacent part of the wings.
The gates at the openings on all floors except the attic are of a
simple folding pattern in pairs, running on a top tubular track and a
sill track at the bottom, and are so installed that the gates, after fold-
ing, may be swung far enough to the sides to uncover the entire width

of the car, and the overhead track removed.

TOILET ROOMS, LAVATORIES, ETC.

The toilet rooms are all located in the ground story and third
story. The public rooms occupy two bays, or a length of approxi-
mately 36 feet, on each side of the north wing in the ground story
adjoining the north entrance lobby, and in the same story there are
also two rooms for men employees, one each in the east and west wing. .
The third story contains two general rooms in the north wing and
two small toilets connected with offices.

In their construction and appointments these rooms comply with |
the most exacting plumbing and hygienic requirements. All of the
main toilets, with one exception, consist of two rooms each, the ante-
rooms for women being fitted up as rest rooms. Of the ground story
rooms for men employees one has an anteroom furnished with

Thome UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

lockers, while the other has a shower bath attached. White Vermont
marble has been used extensively in the finishing, all floors being
of this material in 10 by 20-inch tiles with an 8-inch border. The
anterooms, except in some cases where they are separated from the
toilet rooms by 7-foot high marble partitions, have a 12-inch marble
base, but the toilet rooms proper and the anterooms referred to are
wainscoted with marble to a height of 7 feet. The plumbing parti-
tions, also of marble, line with the wainscoting. All wall surfaces
above the marble, as well as the ceilings, are plastered.

A number of the smaller rooms in each of the four main stories
have been fitted up for housekeeping purposes. They have cement
floors and contain slop sinks of painted cast iron. Wash basins and
sinks are provided in the laboratories, work rooms and offices where
required. They are of enameled iron except in the case of some of
the sinks which are of soapstone. The plumbing pipes for hot and
cold water and the waste pipes are contained in the pier chases of
the outer and court walls and may be tapped as additional fixtures
are called for.

TUNNELS

The ground floor of the building having been constructed with |

reference to its use for regular museum purposes, although contain-
ing, the boilers and machinery of the mechanical plant, and the site
being too low in respect to the sewerage system of the city to permit
of the addition of an underground story, the distribution of the heat-
ing and other mains has been provided for in a series of tunnels
directly underneath the ground floor. These tunnels follow the ex-
terior and court walls of the building, except at the outer ends of
the wings and under the south pavilion, where their continuance is
obstructed, while cross branches at intervals afford additional means

for passing from one side to the other of the wings and ranges. The ~

side tunnels are built against the foundations and as one with them.
All are of concrete and measure in the clear at least 4 feet 6 inches
both in width and height. The thickness of the bottom is 6 inches,
and of the side walls and top 9 inches. The roof is flat and reenforced
with expanded metal; its upper surface is 7 inches below the ground
floor, through which access to the tunnels is had by means of cast-
iron trap doors. Terra cotta cellular conduits for the electric wires

extend along both sides, while the pipes are supported on brackets —

and hangers. Connection with the several floors is made through the
vertical chases in the outer and court wall piers, which extend from
the tunnels to the attic.

‘aa

ne
‘f

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 79

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
CHARACTER AND LAYOUT OF THE MACHINERY PLANT

The heating, lighting and ventilation of this large building, in
view of its great open spaces, call for a relatively extensive plant, and
the one that has been installed embodies the best of recent improve-
ments in steam and electrical engineering. Its capacity having been
gauged to meet the requirements of the older buildings also, an
economy has been secured in the maintenance of the museum service
generally. It is unfortunate, however, that the plant could not
have been located in a separate structure, on account of the annoy-
ance caused by coal dust and soot and by the vibration produced
by certain parts of the machinery, troubles that can best be reme-
died by the establishment of a central power plant for the Govern-
ment buildings in the western part of the city, as has been proposed.

Essentially all of the ground story of the east wing except the
series of rooms along the south side, used as carpenter, metal and
paint shops, and a storage room at the east end, has been given
over to the purposes of the plant. The layout of this space, in-
cluding the positions of the principal pieces of machinery, is shown
in the accompanying diagram (plate 12). The coal bunker is located
on the north side of the inner driveway. Beyond an intervening
corridor is the boiler room, with the boilers (A, A), enclosed in front
and at the sides by a wall, having a vertical sliding door at each
end, to prevent as much as possible the dissemination of dust as the
coal is passed to the hoppers. Adjoining the boilers on the north is
a stoker fan (B). The machinery room which follows occupies the
entire middle part of the wing between the outer rows of piers. It
is open at the western end but enclosed on both sides by walls pro-
- vided with large glass transoms. It contains four electric generators
with engines (C), three of which are arranged along the southern
side of the room, while the fourth, of smaller size, is on the north-
ern side near the boilers. The other machinery consists of two
boiler feed-water pumps (D), the blow-off tank for the boilers
(E), feed-water heater, oil separator and drain pump (F), high-
pressure service and fire pump (G), hot water service pump, motor,
tank and heater (H), vacuum pumps, heaters and circulating
pumps for the house heating system (I), drain pump, receiving
tank, etc., located in a pit (K), and vacuum cleaning apparatus (L).

At the western end of the room is the electrical generator switch-
board (M), and in the northwest corner of the wing, the main elec-
trical distribution switchboard (N). A suite of rooms along the
northern side of the wing furnishes an office for the engineer and
machine and plumbing shops.

80 © UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

STEAM GENERATING AND HEATING EQUIPMENT
Bowlers and steam mains.—For the production of steam there are
four Geary high-pressure water tube boilers, each with a nominal
rating of 175 horse power and carrying a steam pressure of 100

pounds. They are set in two batteries. Each boiler is made up of

100 4-inch tubes, 16 feet long, inclined at an angle of approximately

15° to the horizontal, and directly expanded into solid steam headers

with a steam drum, 24 inches in diameter, resting in a horizontal
position. The steam headers, one at the front and one at the back,
are riveted to and so connected with the drum that the circulation
of water is free and not retarded by contracted vein.

The boilers are fired by means of automatic Taylor gravity feed
stokers, with forced draft obtained by means of a 6-foot Sturtevant
blower, driven by an engine of the same make. There are, in fact,

two of these engines, one on each side of the fan, one of which is kept —

in reserve while the other is running. The stokers are operated by
means of a main shaft extending through the ash pit and connected
to the fan shaft by a silent chain drive. The speed of the fan and
stokers is regulated automatically through a Locke draft regulator.
When the speed drops below a predetermined point, which is 100
pounds pressure, a damper regulator opens a valve furnishing steam
to the engine of the fan, thus increasing its speed and at the same
time the draft and the speed of the stokers. As soon as the steam
pressure exceeds another fixed point, namely 103 pounds, the regu-
lator stops the fan engine, thus closing down the draft and decreasing
the speed of the stokers. In this manner the fire in the furnaces is
controlled without the close attention of anyone. Williams’ auto-

matic boiler feed regulators are used for maintaining the water in

the boilers at a constant level.

A 9-inch steam main passes along and above the fronts of the
boilers, with which there are 6-inch connections through large radius
pipe bends to allow for expansion without undue strain on the main.
The main is carried back along the side of the outside boiler of
each battery, one branch continuing along the side of the engine
room, the other through the middle of the room, with 7-inch bend
connections to the three large engines and a 5-inch connection to the
smaller one. The two branches are brought together near the west-
ern end of the engine room, and contain numerous gate valves which

make it possible to cut any section of the main out of service for —

repair without closing down the plant.

The main exhaust line for the engines and pumps, 14 inches in

diameter, runs through the middle of the engine room in a large
trench under the floor. At the western end of the room it rises and
passes along the adjoining corridor to the smoke stack, up which it
is carried to within about 10 feet of the top. The exhaust steam

Bee:

ee — . i ee +3 —s oe eek ee
She Se: Sas Se er STE a tare a MR Fe Rs
~ Se Sa Or ee a ae | . <2 aS, - Py ae

BULLETIN 80 PL. 12

U, S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

*PpIVOQTOIIMS TOMNQIIISIp [BOTI409TO
‘Nl ‘(pIvoqyoIIMS 103819003 [BoLIO9[0 ‘W ‘snyeredds Suruvso umMnNdeBA “J {0} ‘YUB} SULAlooeI ‘duind ureip ‘y ‘uleysAs SulBoy-ssnoy 944 IOF sdumnd 3u1ye]
noid pues ‘siaqyBay ‘sdumnd wmnova ‘T {1038eq puR ‘Hue ‘10}0u ‘dumnd sotAres 1038M 4Oy ‘A ‘dumnd org pus sorAres oinssoid-y Sry ‘4 :dumnd ureip pus
‘10}818da8 [JO ‘lovey 10}BM-Pooy ‘qT ‘YUB} YO-MOTA ‘gq ‘sduind 10}BA\-poej Io[[0q ‘q ‘seUIsZUS PUB S10} BIIUIT DII}O9TO ‘D ‘soUTsUe PUB UB} J9HO}s ‘G ‘sIOTIOg ‘V

“LNV1d IWOI¥L0ATQ ONY WV3SLS JO LNOAV] SNIMOHS ‘ONIM LSV3a ‘AYOLS GNNOYD JO NVId

J9VYOLS

Ab ee Se ae

om

wash ated OF fhe rook
rridied ed | ihe Minok« tack. up we

gz : 5 ; : +

[_ SS ae

7 —

ime *

S HPAROTS © Be = P
4 ae oe » =
: — 3 ee me “Sf :
2 e ‘ =) cana = Ay SS aes = ie
2 gee GOHE Trias | 240 ] BaTHAAAAS
28
a
a?
Pied - : : ie
=) ' RAIS 2A TORI OHA MARTA SO TUOVALE Guiwane! onIW Tas VaoTe dkbcKe Ao AA

woretages lo sohooel aataw-bogt “Y staat Ho-woldt Sh saqeaieg twaiaw- Dest yetiod A weciges has maleone: ofttiels O sais bre tal totem A eee
47s bis mateed epmrg amas, J seine bite sop Jor quitting sotPieg Isisw Jon ig oth Die digies euomeosg-dald .o sqm ad Dare
A -Ginaddotiws totes, lasiijeels .M ienteiange peingsis mma # ie ala Betv soos ang thet Gf ritteleve a

i tmnicagod 20 Sot sqireaital
fismid tists qouitndiviab taskiosioe

ye eee byt e's Cree ee Me
= ih , A f 1

ry

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 81

being there discharged at an angle of 45° directly across the stack,
it becomes superheated by contact with the hot gases and passes to
the atmosphere generally invisible to the eye. The exhaust main
contains an automatic back pressure valve which automatically opens
in case the vacuum is lost and closes when the vacuum pumps are
started. At the point where the main rises from the trench a small
vacuum pump, 34 by 5 by 5 inches in size, is located in a pit. Its
purpose is to remove the water of condensation which collects there,
and discharge it into a large blow-off tank behind the boilers. The
steam separators over the top of the engines, as well as all drips to
the main line, are connected through a system of pipes to a Holly
return device which returns the water of condensation to the boilers
automatically without the use of traps or pumps. In all other places
where water is liable to accumulate connection is also made to the
Holly system so that there is no likelihood of trouble through water
hammer.

The boiler feed pumps, two in number and measuring 8 by 5 by 12
inches, are connected so that either can be run while the other is
undergoing repairs or held in reserve. Their speed is automatically
controlled through a regulator, which closes off steam from the
pump when the feed regulators on the boilers stop the passage of
water to the latter. There is a large feed-water heater composed
of a number of 1-inch horizontal copper tubes through which a part
of the exhaust passes, the condensation being removed by means of
a 6 by 8 by 12-inch vacuum pump. The water from the oil separator
passes to the heater to which the suction of the feed pump is con-
nected. A city water supply connection is also made to the tank
to replace what is lost between the engines and the oil separator.

Handling of coal and ashes——Bituminous coal is used in the fur-
naces, but with the type of stoker employed the amount of smoke
produced at any time is inappreciable. The coal requires to be
crushed and is delivered in that condition.

Two coal bunkers have been provided. They are located at the
outer end of the east wing, one on each side of the inner wagon
drive the width of which was reduced to one-third its original di-
mension to subserve this purpose. The northern bunker, the floor of
which is on the same level as that of the story, has a capacity of

- about 350 tons. The southern bunker, whose floor level corresponds

with that of the driveway, has a capacity of some 475 tons and was

intended as a reserve storage. Its use for this purpose after a short

trial has, however, been at least temporarily abandoned since the one

bunker has been found to answer the requirements.

~The coal is handled mechanically, the machinery being located in

the northern bunker and operated by a 5 horse power motor. As it
80120°—Bull. 80—13. 6

82 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

is dumped from wagons on a grate in the driveway at the side of
the bunker, it passes by gravity down a chute and into a series of
buckets attached to an endless chain, by which it is conveyed to a |
point near the ceiling and delivered to a spiral running in a trough
suspended from the ceiling. This spiral is pivoted at one end and
connected to the driving shaft through spur gears so that its outer
end, moving in a circular track, can distribute the coal to any point
in the room. The coal for the reserve bunker must first be taken into
the northern one, from which, after being lifted to the higher level,
it is carried over the driveway by means of a second spiral, but as
this is in a fixed position, in order to completely fill the bunker, the ©
coal has to be partly distributed by hand.

For conveying coal to the boilers, two steel cars, of one ton capacity
each, are employed. They run on an industrial railway track lead-
ing from each bunker across the corridor into the boiler room, and
thence along the fronts of the boilers. The coal is passed from the
cars to the hoppers of the stokers by hand.

The ashes from the furnaces are dumped into pits, one under each
boiler, whence they are drawn into a car having a capacity of one
cubic yard and running on a track in a main pit extending along the
entire front of the boilers. From a branch opening in the adjoining
corridor the car is lifted by an electric hoist and moved along a
suspended trolley to the east driveway where the ashes are emptied
into carts.

Heating system.—tThe heating system of the new building is of the
hot water type direct radiation. The water is brought to the neces-
sary temperature by means of heaters of the Alberger Condenser
Company’s make, two of which are provided. These machines consist
of cast-iron bodies with corrugated copper tubes made into cast-iron
heads, and are so designed that the water entering the bottom passes
three times through the tubes before leaving the heaters at the top.
Exhaust steam from the engines and pumps circulates around the
tubes. When the exhaust is not sufficient in quantity live steam is
added to make up for the deficiency, being introduced through either
a 4-inch connection to the live steam main or a 6-inch connection to
the exhaust main, which contains a Bridgman Brothers automatic
reducing valve. To care for the expansion of water in the system a
tank is located in one of the flues in the rotunda walls at a height
of about 20 feet above the third floor. An automatic ball cock con-
nected to the city water supply keeps the water in the tank at a con-

stant height, while an overflow to the sewer carries off any surplus ~ ‘
as expansion takes place due to increase in temperature. Circulation

through the system is forced, the power being supplied by two volute
Alberger pumps, direct connected to Westinghouse motors of 20 horse —
power capacity. The two heaters and pumps are duplicates, one of
each being held in reserve while the other is in use. :

ih

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 83

Pipe connections and radiators——The hot water distribution pipe,
8 inches in diameter where it leaves the heaters, passes through a
flue at the west end of the east wing directly to the attic. It there
branches in three directions, one branch supplying the entire south
side of the building, another the north side of the east wing, and the
third the remainder of the building. To decrease the friction in the
pipes they are greatly increased in size on reaching the attic. Con-
nected with these mains are 130 drops located in pier chases of the
outer and court walls, these pipes being mostly 14 inches in diameter,
although a few are only 14 inches.

There are four radiators on each drop, one for each of the four
stories, except in the east wing where there are only three, the ground
story being otherwise heated. Wherever possible radiators have been
placed under or at the base of the windows, with two connections to
the drop, both at the same end of the radiator. To compel the passage
of water through the radiators the connections to the drops have
been made as large as, and in some cases larger than, the drops them-
selves, and long turned fittings have been used, joined in such a way
as to secure the least possible friction to the flow of water to the
radiators. The radiators are furnished with Norwall packless radia-
tor valves of the globe pattern.

The drops are connected to hot water mains in the tunnels under
the ground floor in a manner similar to the connections in the attic.

_ These mains, which return the water to the circulating pumps, are

run along the ceiling of the tunnels and brought together into a 10-
inch main near the pumps. To allow for expansion of the mains,
loops are located both in the attic and in the tunnels, thus obviating
the use of expansion joints. The drops are provided with valves in
the same places, and also with drain cocks in the tunnels so that any
drop can be separately drained without disturbing the system. The
attic valves are of the lock shield type opening by means of a key,
which prevents their being tampered with. The mains in the attic
and tunnels are likewise supplied with valves so disposed that differ-
ent sections of the building can be cut out of service, an arrangement
found necessary for the proper adjustment and convenient operation
of the entire heating system.

The radiators used in the new building are of the Peerless type;
they range in height from 22 to 38 inches, and are two and three
columns. Their length varies according to location, and some of
those in the main exhibition halls, where they occupy the full width
of the window surface, consist of as many as 50 sections. The total
number installed is about 465, furnishing approximately 70,000
square feet of direct and 3,000 square feet of indirect radiation
surface.

Heating of ground story of east wing—For heating the ground
story of the east wing, in which the mechanical plant is located, the

84 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

following method has been adopted in place of the general system:
On a platform suspended from the ceiling between the boilers is —
placed a 4-foot Sturtevant steel plate, full-housed fan, having its —
discharge connected to a series of galvanized iron ducts carried along —
the ceiling, with openings opposite each window. Dampers in the
branches from these distributing ducts permit the amount of air
delivered to be regulated. The principle involved is the removal of —
the hot air which collects above the boilers and its discharge in the
several rooms at the points mentioned, the rooms being thus warmed —
without the expenditure of energy other than that represented by
the motor operating the fan. This scheme is quite a departure from
the ordinary, and it has worked satisfactorily.

Steam connections with other buildings.—The steam for heating
the several buildings occupied by the Museum on the southern side

of the Mall is now supplied from the new plant through the medium _

of an underground tunnel which extends from the east wing of the
new building to the Smithsonian building a short distance east of
the main entrance, The tunnel is 730 feet long, 4 feet wide and 54
feet high, and has a flat roof. It is built of concrete reenforced with
steel rods, and is 6 inches thick on all sides. The top is sloped and
troweled to a smooth surface, and covered with a coat of tar paper
followed by 3 inches of sand to prevent seepage. It has also been
constructed with reference to its drainage to a given point, so that
any water that may enter can be removed by means of a steam
siphon.

_ The steam pipe running through the tunnel is 4 inches in diameter. —
Starting from the 9-inch main near the boilers, it enters the old
5-inch main in the Smithsonian building under the east door. The
steam pressure at this point, namely, 80 pounds, a loss of 20 pounds
in the passage from the boilers, is continued to the boiler room in the
older Museum building where the pumps are located. Three reducing
valves belonging in the original system are used to further diminish
the pressure from 80 pounds to approximately 15 pounds. The pumps
return the water of condensation to the new plant through a 2-inch
pipe. There has been no material change in the heating system of
the older buildings which is by means of steam, the original pipes
and radiators remaining in use. The heating surface in these build-
ings is practically all of the direct radiation type and amounts to
about 20,000 square feet.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT sy
Use of electricity Electricity is generated for both lighting and a

power. With the exception of the generator engines, the two stoker
engines and the six pumps in the engine room, which are operated _

by steam, all motive power is supplied by electricity, including the

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 85

running of the elevators, the ventilating fans, the machinery con-
nected with the handling of coal and ashes, the refrigerating plant,
the vacuum cleaning machine and the machinery required in the
shops and laboratories. The number of outlets for the attachment
of lighting fixtures is especially large, and their distribution is based
on a systematic plan.

Machinery.—The electrical machinery consists of four engines of
the Ridgway Dynamo and Engine Company’s make and four West-
inghouse 8-wire generators, and space has been reserved for the in-
stallation of an additional unit in the future should it be called for.
Three of the engines are of the 4-valve Corliss type, 19-inch bore and
18-inch stroke, without dash-pot cut-off, developing 250 horse power
at 200 revolutions a minute. The fourth engine is smaller, of the
plain slide valve type, 13-inch bore and 14-inch stroke, developing 130
horse power at a speed of 165 revolutions a minute. All of the
engines rest on splayed concrete foundations, 5 feet thick for the
larger ones and 4 feet for the smaller one, which are in turn under-
laid and surrounded by 1 foot of sand. The generators are direct
connected to the engines, the three attached to the larger engines
having an output capacity of 150 kilowatts each, and the smaller one
of 75 kilowatts, at voltages of 115 and 230. The smaller engine and
generator are more especially designed for night service when the
building is not open.

Switchboards and distribution panels——The generator switchboard,
which is located at the western end of the engine room, receives the
cables from the generators through terra cotta conduits. The con-
nections from each generator comprise six cables of 900,000 circular
mils, four of 300,000 circular mils, and two No. 8 wires. This switch-
board consists of fifteen marble panels, assigned as follows: Four to
the generators now installed and one to the reserved unit; one each
to the lighting service of the four stories; one to the patrol and
rotunda lighting; one each to the fan and elevator services; one to
the older buildings and neutral service; one to tie and breakdown
switches; and one to miscellaneous use. The generators are so de-
signed that a 3-wire system is obtained without the usual balancer.
Current in the neutral is furnished by alternating collector rings on
the main generator, cables from which lead to auto-transformers
back of the switchboard. The voltage between the outside leads is
230, while between the neutral and each of the outside it is 115. The
bus bars of the generator switchboard are so arranged that one engine
or any number of them can be run on either the lighting or the
power bus bars, thus enabling the engineer to manipulate the lighting
and power systems entirely independently of each other, and thereby
preventing undue fluctuation in the brilliancy of the lights when
loads are thrown on and off on the power end. So much of the

86 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

current received at the generator switchboard as is conveyed to the
older buildings or is used for driving machinery throughout the new
building, including the elevators and fans, is transmitted directly
from this switchboard. All other current passes to the distribution
switchboard.

The main distribution switchboard, which is situated in front of

the west wall of the east wing, north of the passageway into the —

pavilion, receives from the generator switchboard eight cables of
500,000 circular mils, eight of 600,000 circular mils, nineteen No. 2-0,
and four No. 2 lead-covered cables. This switchboard is composed
of twenty-four marble panels—twelve for ceiling outlets, ten for floor
and wall outlets and two for the rotunda lghting—with twelve
switches of 50 ampere capacity on each panel. The switches are
arranged in four lines, in the order of the several stories, the lowest
representing the ground story; the next, the first story; the third,
the second story; and the upper, the third story. From these switches
current is carried to distribution panels throughout the building, and
thence to the outlets in the ceilings, walls and floors, for the attach-
ment of lamps and incidentally of desk fans.

Omitting the rotunda, there are in all 213 of the distribution
panels, each of which is contained in a sheet iron box with steel door
and trim. Asa rule, they are placed in pairs set in the walls of each
story, one furnishing current to the nearby ceiling lights, the other
to the floor and wall receptacle outlets in the adjacent space. The
panels for the ceilings have each eleven, and the others 10 switches, of
30 ampere capacity. The connection between the distribution switch-
board and the panels is made by means of triple conductor cambric

insulated lead-covered cables, which are carried through the tunnels —

under the basement floor in terra cotta conduits, and thence, through
24-inch galvanized iron conduits, up such of the pier chases as pass
close to the panels. One such cable runs from each switch on the

board to one of the panels, where it is connected to the three bus

bars of the panel, and the switches are so connected that five furnish
current between the neutral and positive, while the other five furnish
current between the neutral and negative wires. In this way the
system is balanced when all the switches are thrown in with approxi-
mately no current passing through the neutral wire.

Distribution of wires and outlets—¥or carrying the wires from
the panels to the receptacle outlets 3-inch galvanized iron conduits

have been used. They are covered into the construction of the floors _

and walls and are therefore inaccessible, so, to provide for the

insertion or replacement of wires, pull or junction boxes are inter-

posed, being located in the floor, one underneath each distribution

panel. The tops of these boxes consist of a brass floor flange in oe

which a brass cover plate is secured by means of bayonet lugs pro-

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 87

vided with screw holes to facilitate its removal. The connection
between each panel and the adjoining box is by means of four 14-inch
conduits, and all outlet conduits belonging with any panel center at
the box. The sizes of the wires to the outlets now installed are
Nos. 12 and 14, according to their lengths. None of the conduits
have been eed to their full capacity.

The receptacle outlets for the attachment of lighting fixtures are
located in the ceilings, in the floors, and in the walls and inside piers
a short distance above the floors. They have been provided in sufh-
cient numbers to meet what has seemed to be all possible require-
ments of the future, and, while a large proportion of them will
probably never be utilized, their installation and the introduction
of the conduits leading to them during the construction of the build-
ing precludes the necessity for any later defacement of the walls and
ceilings.

The ceiling outlets, with few exceptions, are distributed uniformly
throughout the four main stories, extending in three rows through
the ranges, and in two rows on each side of the wings, at the outer
ends of which there are two complete crossrows. Their spacing in
each row is 184 feet, conforming to the building unit of dimension,
and their location is opposite the windows. This arrangement pro-
vides a row for each of the corridors in the ground and third stories,
and one for each line of rooms on one or both sides of the corridor,
as the case may be. The middle wing in the ground story contains
seven longitudinal rows, of which three are in the central hall and
two in the series of rooms on each side. Ceiling outlets also occur
in the north entrance vestibule and lobby, in the galleries of the south
pavilion, and in the recessed part of the south portico back of the
columns.

There is likewise a close uniformity in the distribution of the
wall and floor outlets in the ground, first and second stories, which is
as follows: A single outlet is located on each of the piers of the outer
and court walls intervening between windows in all of these stories,
and also on each of the interior piers in the ground story, with a
few exceptions, as in the north entrance lobby and at the outer ends
of the east and west wings. In the first and second stories, however,
each interior pier is provided with two outlets, which are placed on
opposite sides of the pier. In the absence of interior piers in the
second story of the wings, a line of outlets is spaced 184 feet apart
along the walls of the light wells. The floor outlets occur in two
longitudinal rows in the ranges, one about midway between the row
of interior piers and the court wall, the other at about the same dis-
tance from the outer wall. In the wings there are two complete
rows, one on each side, while in the middle or skylighted space en-
closed by the piers in the first story three rows are provided, but the

a

88 | UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

outlets in these are spaced at double the unit distance, namely 37

feet, and those of adjoining rows alternate. There is also a com-
plete crossrow at the outer ends of the east and west wings in the
first and second stories. These floor outlets are all opposite the
windows.

The third story contains no wall or pier outlets, but floor outlets
extend in two regular rows, spaced 18} feet apart, through each
series of rooms at the sides of the corridors. The outlets in one of
these rows are located close by the outer or court wall directly
at the side of each window, while in the other row they occupy cor-
responding positions with reference to the door openings. ‘The light-
ing of the attic spaces is accomplished by means of wires from panels
on the third floor, which are carried through galvanized iron conduits
and distributed to meet the requirements. In addition to the dis-
tribution above described, wall outlets are also located in certain
dark places and on the walls of the stairs.

Two kinds of floor outlet boxes are used. Those in the ground,

first and second stories are larger than the others and have a brass ©

floor flange the same as the junction boxes, but each cover plate is
drilled and tapped for four brass plugs. When connections are
made as many of these plugs as necessary are replaced by special
brass nozzles through which the electric cords pass. The floor out-
lets employed in the third story correspond with the wall and pier
receptacle boxes throughout the building. The cover plates of all
of these boxes are fastened to adjustable steel rims, and in the center
of each a slotted flange cap is screwed. Connection is made, after
the removal of the cap, by means of an outlet nozzle for holding in
place the special receptacle designed to make sliding electrical con-
tact within the boxes. All exposed parts of these fixtures are of
polished or white enameled brass.

The wiring of the electric conduits has been carried only to the
extent called for by the present requirements. This includes con-
nections to all the ceiling outlets; to most of the wall and pier out-
lets in the east and west wings in the ground story, and to the wall
outlets in the rooms at the sides of the middle wing and the ranges
in the same story; to the pier outlets in the middle wing in the
first story for the lighting of the picture gallery; to the floor out-
lets along the outer and court walls in the third story, and to the
attic spaces. The wall, pier and floor outlets in the first and second
stories have been provided with reference to the special lighting of

exhibition cases, but the general illumination of the exhibition halls —

is expected to be accomplished by means of the ceiling lights.
Fixtures-—The ceiling fixtures installed in the first and second

stories and in the greater part of the ground story consist of a brass

chain about 3 feet long supporting an Alba glass shade specially

See. ee

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 89

designed for a 100-watt tungsten lamp. The lamps used have the
bowl frosted. In the third story the ceiling fixtures are made of
a short piece of 2-inch brass tubing with a satin finish holophane
shade. In the rooms 100-watt lamps are employed and in the cor-
ridors 60-watt lamps. A few of the rooms in the ground story have
the same style of fixture, but with a longer stem; while for the east
wing, containing the power plant, special fixtures have been made
of pipe and fittings to suit the different requirements. The north
entrance vestibule is lighted by two 60-watt Meridian tungsten
lamps with frosted bowls that screw into a special fixture fitting
close against the ceiling. The ceiling lights in the rooms are con-
trolled by wall switches, one inside of each door, and in the corridors
by switches of the same kind located in gangs at or near the end
of each corridor. The control of the ceiling lights in the first and
second stories is directly from the distribution panels.

The east and west skylighted halls in the first story obtain their
general illumination from above the ceiling lights through the me-
dium of special Frink skylight mirror reflectors carrying 40-watt
tungsten lamps. There are sixteen lines of these reflectors over each
ceiling light, being attached one on each side of the lower horizontal
member of each of the eight roof trusses spanning the light well.
Each line is 30 feet long, and is supplied with 32 lamps placed
horizontally and connected alternately in two circuits. The 32 cir-
cuits thus constituted in each light well are controlled by as many
switches contained in four panels on the walls at the pavilion end
of the space.

The lighting of the picture gallery in the middle hall of the first
story is also accomplished by means of Frink reflectors, consisting
of long tin holders containing mirrors so placed as to reflect the
light against the screens, from which the fixtures are distant about
5 feet. The lamps are 25-watt tungsten, with a few of 60-watt,
spaced 1 foot apart. The aggregate length of the reflectors in the
several rooms is about 750 feet.

The plans for the illumination of the rotunda have not yet been
fully carried out, and the only fixtures so far permanently installed
consist of ceiling lights in the corridor and gallery back of the piers
and screens in the first and second stories. These are in the form of
pendent alabaster glass bowls, 154 inches in diameter, attached by
means of three small chains to a larger one, the chains being of brass
finished in French lacquer gilt. The bowls, which are slightly tinted
to produce a somewhat subdued light, contain three outlets fitted
with 60-watt clear tungsten lamps resting at a slight angle to the
horizontal. Thin celluloid sheet covers prevent dust from entering
the bowls.

90 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

The south approach to the building is still without fixtures, but.

at the north approach two 10-foot cast-iron street lamp posts, each
carrying a 14-inch white glass globe with a 250-watt tungsten lamp,
have been installed, one on each side of the entrance.

The desk lamps employed in the laboratories and offices are mostly
of the flexible goose neck pattern, although some other simple kinds
are used. The desk fans are connected with the same receptacle
outlets as these lamps.

Patrol system.—¥or the convenience of the watchmen in making
their rounds, a.few widely separated ceiling lights, composing the
so-called patrol system, are kept burning all night. Their control
is by distinct switches, one on each of the ceiling distribution panels,
connecting with four panels back of the main distribution switch-
board in the ground story, and from these in turn with the patrol

panel in the generator switchboard from which the patrol lights —

may be regulated irrespective of the general system.

Motors.—The total number of motors in the electrical equipment
of the Museum is 65, of which 51 are in the new building and 14 in
the other buildings. Sixteen of these, mainly connected with the
operation of the elevators, and of the ventilating and engine: room
fans, are of 12 to 25 horse power each. The remainder range in
size from 4 to 74 horse power and are used for a variety of purposes.

Connections with other buildings.—The electrical connections with
the older Museum and Smithsonian buildings are made from the
generator switchboard through a 9-way terra cotta conduit in the

underground tunnel already described. The present installation

consists of two separate lines of three cables each, two of the cables
in each line being of 500,000 circular mils and one of 250,000 circular
mils. From the southern end of the tunnel they are carried eastward
along the ceiling of the basement corridor in the Smithsonian build-
ing. One line stops at a switchboard in the eastern end of this
building, while the other continues to the main switchboard in the
southwest pavilion of the older Museum building.

VENTILATION

General system.—The ventilation of the building in general and of
certain parts of it in particular has been provided for through
mechanical agencies. In view, however, of the large open spaces
characteristic of the greater part of the building, it was not con-
sidered necessary to extend the direct operation of the general sys-
tem to all the stories, and it has been worked out most completely for
the third story. The machinery is located in the attic spaces of the
three wings and consists of powerful fans which operate to with-
draw the air from the several stories, either directly through flues

———_—s- ~~

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 91

or indirectly through other channels, such as the stair wells and ele-
vator shafts, and discharge it through openings in the roof.

The space enclosed between the skylight and ceiling light in the
middle of each wing and the entire attic space over both ranges serve
as exhaust chambers into which the air passes on its way to the fans.
There are six of these fans, of the full-house pattern made by the
American Blower Company, arranged in pairs at the outer ends of
the three wings and identical in all respects except that those in the
east and west wings measure 6 feet, while those in the middle wing,
where the height is less, measure only 54 feet. The smaller size of
the latter is, however, compensated for by giving them a maximum
speed of 300 revolutions a minute, the former making only 250 revolu-
tions. Each pair is operated electrically by a 25 horse power Diehl
motor, direct connected to one of the fans which may be run singly
if desired, the shafts of the two being united by a flexible clutch
coupling in such manner that the other fan may readily be thrown
out of service. The discharge capacity of each pair is 70,000 cubic
feet of air a minute, making a total for all of 210,000 cubic feet.
Each pair of fans is contained in a brick house adjoining the sky-
lighted space at its outer end and communicating with it by means
of a large rectangular opening supplied with dampers. The ranges
connect with the fan houses through large ducts, while the discharge
openings in the roof are above the fans, and measure 18 feet 10 inches
long by 3 feet wide.

To check direct heat radiation from the roofs in summer the
side and outer end sections of each of the attics in the wings are
provided with false ceilings of }-inch Sackett board, which under-
lie the roof with an interspace of about 5 inches. This ceiling
begins about 5 feet from the eaves and on the sides stops about 2
feet 3 inches from the walls of the skylight chamber, whence a
curved galvanized iron deflector carries around the longitudinal I
beams projecting below the roof in the plane of the walls, and con-
tinues the interspace until it opens into the chamber which it does
throughout the entire length of the latter. The ventilating flues
and ducts communicating with the attics are located in the wall
chases and in the floors about 2 feet from the eaves. All of the
air issuing from them and from other openings into the attics is
drawn into the exhaust chambers and thence into the fan houses by
way of the shallow space above the false ceiling, but with the open-
ing of any of the hinged panes in the transoms of the third story a
certain amount of air will enter the chambers directly from that
source.

’ The low attic spaces over the ranges present wholly different
conditions, and are kept entirely closed at the ends except when
access is required to the pipes or wires which they contain. Into

92 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

these large vacuum chambers the air is pulled from the wall flues
and floor ducts, but instead of being carried directly to the fans, it
is, by an extensive system of pipes, made to assist in preventing
direct heat radiation from the roofs to the third story ceilings. The
arrangement is as follows: Four large galvanized iron ducts traverse
the attics longitudinally, one on the east side leading to the eastern
fans, one on the west side leading to the western fans, and two on
the north side, both much shorter than the others, leading to the
northern fans. From the place of origin, where they are relatively
small and round, about 15 inches in diameter, the ducts increase
gradually in size and change to a rectangular shape, becoming quite
large where they reach the wings. At twelve different points in
each length of 18} feet, and placed only a few inches from the roof,
are series of inlets opening into branches of varying length, con-
nected with the main ducts and so proportioned that the amount of
air drawn from all parts of the range spaces will be approximately
the same, this result being accomplished by decreasing the size of
the branches in the direction of the fans. The branches are, —
furthermore, supplied with dampers for their separate control. In
this manner all of the air entering the chamber is lifted to the
under surface of the roof, and thereby kept in circulation until it is
withdrawn. In passing out of the ranges, each duct first opens into
a large brick chamber in the adjoining wing, which is connected to
the fan house across the ceiling ef the wing by another large iron
duct, provided with a regulating damper.

The auditorium, boiler and engine rooms, alcoholic specimen room
and several toilet rooms in the ground story have each a separate
ventilating system, as described below. This story has direct con-
nection with the general fan system through flues in each alternate
pier chase in the middle wing and two ranges, which were intro-
duced. principally with the object of carrying warm air to the third
story to assist in its heating. The inlets, covered by 12 by 14-inch
iron registers, are located a little over 2 feet above the floor. The
flues have openings in both the third story and the attics, but, as
they convey unpleasant odors and noxious fumes from the preserva-
tives and poisoning materials used on the specimens stored in the
ground story, it has been found necessary to keep the openings
into the third story closed. They undoubtedly serve a useful pur-
pose in those parts of the ground story from which they lead, but
for the ventilation of this story dependence is mainly had upon the
window openings in conjunction with the transoms of the room
partitions and the registers in the bottom rails of the doors.

There is no direct connection between the first and second stories
and the fan system in the attics, except through flues in certain of
the pier chases with openings near the floor in the first story. These

: aris
ey
(“4

—-

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 93

flues, however, like those starting in the ground story of the middle
wing and the ranges, have an inconsiderable influence on the ventila-
tion of these stories, for which it was deemed unnecessary to intro-
duce an elaborate mechanical system. Both stories are of consider-
able height, and circulation in each of them is unobstructed around
the entire building, the few intersecting walls being pierced with
especially large openings. The two stories also communicate with
each other through the openings in the light wells, and with the
rotunda, and have the advantage of the elevator shafts and stair
wells leading to the third story and the attics. AJl of the windows
are provided with hinged panes through which air can be directly
admitted. The effect of the heat from the radiators placed under
or against the great window surfaces is to maintain an active circula-
tion in cold weather, and, judging from the experience so far gained,
there is no reason to suppose that the exhibition halls will ever be-
come uncomfortable or unwholesome from lack of ventilation. The
air contents of the first story amount to about 2,166,000 cubic feet,
and of the second story, to about 1,591,000 cubic feet, a liberal al-
lowance for even the largest attendance of visitors that may be ex-
pected at any time.

The third story, however, calls for effective ventilating measures,
in view of its proximity to the roofs, its relatively small rooms, the
extensive collections in storage and the number of persons who work
there. The numerous windows, hung with double sashes, can be
opened to admit air either from the top or bottom. Above each of
the entrance doors, which are opposite the windows, is a grated open-
ing. The natural drift of the air in the corridors is toward the
elevator shafts and stairways, and in the wings the hinged panes in
the transoms along the upper part of the light well walls afford
means for direct communication with the exhaust chambers. For
mechanically withdrawing the air there is a flue in each alternate
pier chase and a ceiling register opening in front of each window,
or two ducts in every ane length of 18 feet on both sides of the
wings and ranges, all of which lead into the attic spaces in the man-
ner Satire dessribod:

Auditorium and rotunda.—Owing to the doubly enclosed position
of the auditorium in the ground story of the south pavilion, it has
been necessary to provide for its ventilation through the medium of
a.special system, in which the rotunda also participates. The air is
drawn into the building through a window by means of a full-housed
fan of the American Blower Company’s make, operated by a 12
horse power Diehl motor and installed in a small room adjoining
the entrance underneath the south portico. Before reaching the
fan, however, it passes first through a cast-iron Utica pin radiator
of the hot water type, next through an air washer, and finally through

94 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

a second heater of the same type as the first, the heaters being de-
signed for winter use only. It is discharged from the fan into
galvanized iron ducts located in the furred ceiling of the corridor
surrounding the auditorium. |

For ventilating the auditorium the greater part of this air is led
into vertical ducts built in the walls at the northeast and northwest
sides of the auditorium, which lead downward and open into the
chamber under the raised floor. The distribution throughout the
room is mainly by means of several hundred small elongate openings
in the successive surfaces of the step-like arrangement on which the
chairs are fastened. These openings, in fact, lead into metal registers
incorporated in the side standards of the chairs, so that the air be-
comes diffused instead of rising in a mass from each opening. There
is also a chamber under the speakers’ platform, from which the air
escapes through large registers in the front of the platform. The
air is withdrawn from the auditorium through four large register
openings in the ceiling connected with a flue on the west side, which
extends to the attic space of the west wing and has a Blackman fan
at the outlet.

In the rotunda, two branches from the main duct direct the air into
flues at the southeast and southwest corners, in which are located
heaters of the same type as those in the fan room, the discharge being
near the ceiling of the first story through large rectangular registers.
This circulation serves the double purpose of ventilation and heating.
The rotunda is further heated by means of radiators similar to the
above placed in flues on the north side of the rotunda near the stairs.
The air enters the flues through register openings in the first story,
is raised in temperature and passes out at the third story.

Alcoholic specimen room.—This room, which occupies the entire
middle part of the ground story in the west wing, and measures about

130 feet long by 52 feet 11 inches wide and 18 feet 8 inches high, is
furnished to nearly its full height with stacks of shelves for the stor-
age of specimens preserved in alcohol. Being as completely isolated
within the building as the auditorium, it is equally dependent on
artificial agencies for its ventilation, which are required to be effectual
in order to dispose of the noxious and inflammable fumes resulting
from the evaporation of this preserving fluid.

Air is admitted to the room close to the floor through gratings in
the bottom rails of the thirteen doors. A large galvanized iron outlet
duct runs the entire length of the ceiling, from which it is suspended,
on the north side of the central row of piers. Two branches enter
this duct in each unit of length, one from each side, but since the
southern part of the room is slightly longer than the other there are,
in fact, thirteen branches in all. They are approximately 2 feet long
with conical openings protected with 34-inch wire mesh, but, while the

Rawepene

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 95

openings are uniformly 12 inches across, the size of the outlets where
they join the duct decreases in the direction of the fan, in order to
effect an approximate uniformity of outflow of air from all parts of
the room. Each branch is also provided with a damper. The main
duct leaves the room at its northwest corner, crosses the ceiling of the
adjoining corridor alongside one of the large girders, and enters a
flue back of the west freight elevator, in which, at this point, there
is a 2-foot Sturtevant full-housed blower fan, operated by a 14 horse
power motor. The discharge passes up the flue, which measures
approximately 2 by 4 feet, and escapes through a ventilator at the
roof. By this arrangement the entire body of air in the room may
be changed every 47 minutes.

Toilet rooms.—The general toilet rooms are all ventilated by means
of separate fans. Each of the public rooms in the ground story near
the north entrance has a flue connected to the space back of the closets,
giving direct ventilation from each of them, and a register for room
ventilation on the wall near the ceiling, both uniting in a vertical
flue leading to the attic space above. Here, on each side, a small
full-housed American Blower fan driven by a 4 horse power motor
discharges the air through an Emerson ventilator in the roof. The
two rooms in the third story of the middle wing near the rotunda are
similarly ventilated by fans of the same size and character, located
immediately over each toilet, but the air, instead of passing directly
through the roof, is discharged into the exhaust spaces of the attics
of the east and west wings. The two rooms in the ground story of
the east and west wings are each adjacent to one of the flues in the
wall structure surrounding the rotunda. The fans are at the base of
these flues, but, as the flues are cut off by diaphragms at the first
floor level, the discharge is provided for by means of 15-inch galvan-
ized iron ducts which run to the roof and terminate in Emerson
ventilators.

Engine and boiler rooms.—For the ventilation of the engine room
there are two 3-foot Blackman fans located in a galvanized iron duct,
4 feet 6 inches square, near the ceiling of the reserve coal vault at
the east entrance and discharging through a grilled opening in the
window between the two doors. The air is drawn over the top of the
boilers through a duct at the ceiling of the adjoining corridor, meas-
uring there 10 by 2 feet but changing in general form though not
in capacity inside of the boiler room. Between and above the boilers
a galvanized iron partition with a door opening into the engine room
prevents the removal of any air from the boiler room itself, except
through an opening in the side of the duct controlled by a damper.
This arrangement gives positive ventilation to the engine room by
withdrawing the air from the top of the boilers after it has entered
the extreme western end of the room. Further aid to the ventilation

96 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

of this room is secured through the withdrawal of air from the top of
the boilers by the fan which furnishes forced draft to the stokers.

Being enclosed in a brick house, this fan can obtain air from no other _

source than the engine room. In practice, however, it has been found
necessary to by-pass a small amount of cooler air to the stoker fan

in order to prevent the excessive heating of the bearings by the

extremely hot air coming from above the boilers.

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT

Fire service—For announcing the discovery of a fire an alarm

system patterned after the customary city service has been provided.
The gong, 14 inches in diameter, is on the north wali of the south

pavilion in the first story. Connected with it by wires and operated

by Samson batteries, are nine stations located in different parts of
the building, as follows: One each in the ground, third and fourth
stories of the south pavilion, four in the third story of the main part
of the building, and one each on the landing of the east and west

service stairs between the ground and first story floors. Each sta-

tion consists of an iron box with glass face, fastened on the wall,
and the breaking of the glass with a small hammer attached closes
the circuit and causes the ringing of the gong, which repeats the
number of the station six times.

For fighting fire there are three 4-wheeled chemical engines of
50 gallons capacity each, located in the ground, third and attic
stories, a very large number of hand extinguishers distributed to
all parts of the building, and a complete water system. The last
mentioned is connected with a Buffalo fire pump in the engine room,

which measures 14 by 7 by 12 inches and is controlled by means

of an automatic regulator. It is designed to furnish pressure at
about 90 pounds and is kept in readiness for action at all times.
The piping layout terminates in thirty 24-inch outlets, six in each of
the five stories, including the attic, in all of which they are placed
at approximately equal distances apart. The equipment at each
outlet consists of a 24-inch angle hose valve, a metal swinging hose
rack, and 175 to 200 feet of the best quality 24-inch linen hose with
a 12-inch long nozzle. All of the metal work is nickel-plated.
Watch clock service—During the greater part of the night
watches complete rounds of the interior of the building are made
at stated periods by members of the watch force. As a precautionary
measure, these rounds are checked in accordance with a system
which has long been in use in the older buildings, comprising a cen-
tral clock with appropriate mechanism for recording signals sent
from stations in different parts of the building, all of which the
watchmen are required to visit during each circuit. The central
or master clock, located in the office of the captain of the watch,

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 97

is arranged to receive paper dial sheets, one for each day, on which
the signals are marked by a recording point so as to indicate both
time and number of station. The stations consist of boxes embedded
in the walls and covered by a plate pierced with a small hole for
a key, which, being inserted and turned, rotates an armature that
transmits a current to the clock. The power is furnished by mag-
nets, no batteries being required. While the clock has sufficient
capacity to record from 50 stations, only 33 stations have been
installed. They are distributed to the most remote parts of the
building, seven being located in the ground story, six in the first
story, seven in the second story, eight in the third story, and five in
the attic.

Time clocks—Time is furnished throughout the building by a
series of marble clock dials, the hands of which are controlled elec-
trically by a master clock in the office of the superintendent of con-
struction and labor. There are sixteen of the subsidiary dials, one in
each of the large exhibition halls, six in the ground story and seven
in the third story. A Seth Thomas eight-day clock of superior qual-
ity, placed in the telephone exchange room and corrected at noon
each day through electrical connection with the Naval Observatory
in Washington, supplies the standard time by which this service is
regulated.

Telephone service.—The telephone exchange for the entire Museum
service is installed in a room adjoining the north entrance lobby and
the office of the watch, which obviates the necessity for the presence
of a regular operator after the close of business hours. The switch-
board is known as the Western Electric Company’s No. 4 private
branch exchange, and represents the latest type of common battery
equipment, with small electric lamps as signals. Its total ultimate
capacity is 240 local telephones, 40 trunk lines to the central office
,and 30 pairs of cords, the equipment being divided between two oper-
ators’ positions. Only one position has been fitted up, with provision
for 120 telephones and 8 trunk lines, and a complement of 15 pairs
of cords. The number of telephones actually in use is considerably
less than this, however, and the number of trunk lines is limited to 5,
one of which belongs to the departmental service.

The cables enter the building below ground level at the west side
of the north pavilion where the exchange room is situated. They
pass through the western tunnel under the middle wing to the north-
west corner of the south pavilion, and thence to the attic in which
they follow along the walls of the three wings. The branch station
wires for the instruments in all stories run from the cables in the
attic. A specially designed picture molding in the ground and third
story rooms provides the means for their extension along the walls.

80120°—Bull. 80—13——7 |

98 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

Vacuum cleaning—A most important feature of the mechanical
equipment is a vacuum cleaning plant, with ramifications to all parts
of the building. Besides its application to the ordinary purposes of

housekeeping, the usefulness of this apparatus will be especially felt —

in connection with the cleaning of both exhibition and storage cases,
and of their contents, which has hitherto been a slow and laborious
undertaking. It may be employed for many classes of objects, and
with particular advantage in the removal of dust from fabrics and
skins.

The plant is a stationary one. The machine, located in the engine
room, is of the Blaisdell Machinery Company type, and consists of
an automatic piston pump connected through a silent chain drive to
a 25 horse power motor. Two large tanks are provided in which the
dirt-laden air is cleansed on its way to the pump, in the first by
centrifugal force, in the second by passing through water. After
leaving the pump the air passes through an oil and water separator
and is led into the main smoke breeching. From the mains, which
run through the tunnels under the ground floor, branch pipes extend
to the several stories on which the inlets, to the number of 73, are
symmetrically disposed, there being 13 in the ground story, 16 each
in the first, second and third stories, and 12 in the attic. The inlets
are mostly located on piers about 2 feet above the floor and measure
14 inches, while the size of the riser pipes is 8 inches. The inlets are
closed by means of brass caps with soft lead gaskets to prevent leak-

age. The dust hose employed is of rubber, in lengths of 25 and 50 —

feet, and is attached for use to the inlet nearest the place where

cleaning is to be done. A complete equipment of dusting tools has _

been provided.
Ice plant.—¥ or the manufacture of ice the building contains a 5-ton

refrigerating machine, supplied by the Brunswick Refrigerating —

Company. It occupies a small room near the entrance under the
south portico, and is of the compression type, being driven by a
silent chain from a 74 horse power motor. Its capacity is two tons
of ice every twenty-four hours. The freezing tank measures 21 feet
8 inches by 9 feet 2 inch and contains fifty-four 200-pound cans.
The circulation of the brine in the tank is produced by means of a
3-inch volute pump driven by a belt from a $ horse power motor. A
hoist running on a track along two opposite walls of the room serves
for the removal of the cans. A still smaller adjoining room has been
adapted to the storage of ice by lining its walls and ceiling with sheet
cork covered with cement plaster, and providing a suitably drained
cement floor and a door of cold storage pattern.

Drinking water service—For supplying drinking water, a number
of cooling tanks have been installed in the attic with distribution
pipes leading to outlets in the several stories. There are six of these

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 99

tanks, four with a capacity of about 750 pounds of ice each, and two
with a capacity of about 325 pounds each. Their location is near the
top of the freight elevators and of the elevators and stairway in the
north pavilion, and in the attic space of the middle wing near the
south pavilion. The tanks are of steel covered with cork and wood,
and each contains a coil of 14-inch galvanized iron pipe for the circu-
lation of the water, on top of which the ice is placed. Water enters
the coils from the city mains, and also by return after dropping to
the ground story, the circulation being continuous. The outlets,
aggregating 20 in number, terminate in spigots, set in small catch
basins with waste pipes, which are embedded in the walls except a
few in the third story which are set against the thin expanded metal
partitions. While this service is commendable in principle, its ad-
vantages are restricted by the fact that the water cannot be
carried far, especially in a horizontal direction, at a sufficiently low
temperature.

Gas.—No provision has been made for the use of gas for illumina-
tion, but it has been introduced on a small scale to serve the few
purposes in which a flame is required for heating, as in the mechanical
shops and some of the laboratories. The main enters the building
under the north pavilion where, in the battery room, a meter is
installed. The distribution is through the tunnels under the ground
floor and the pier chases.

WATER CONNECTIONS AND SEWERAGE

Water is brought into the building under the south doorway of the
east entrance through a 6-inch pipe leading from a 12-inch city main.
The 6-inch pipe enters and terminates in the boiler room, but before
reaching there it is tapped by a 4-inch pipe from which nearly the
entire building is served for general purposes. This principal branch
diminishes in size as connections are made for supplying the toilets,
basins, sinks, fire risers, etc., until it reaches a minimum of 2 inches
in the extreme west side of the ground story and in the third story.
The distribution of the pipes, which are of galvanized steel, is
through the tunnels and pier chases. With the exception of the fire
service, the city pressure is relied upon, although the service in the
third story is cross-connected with the power plant to provide against
an emergency.

Hot water connections with the lavatories, wash basins and slop
sinks are made from the engine room. The machinery comprises a
2-inch Alberger volute pump run by a 1 horse power Westinghouse
motor, from which a 14-inch discharge passes through an Alberger
hot water heater made up of copper tubes in a manner similar to the
large heaters. From the heater the water is carried to a large tank

100 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

suspended from the ceiling of the engine room, and thence distributed —
through a system of piping in the tunnels and chases. The tempera-
ture of the water is maintained constant by means of a thermostat in
the tank, which regulates the opening and closing of an automatic
diaphragm valve in the pipe supplying steam to the heater.

For the disposal of sewage there is a 12-inch cast-iron pipe extend-
ing north and south through each court and under the northern
ranges, and separate pipes of glazed terra cotta, 5 to 15 inches in
size, around the outside of the building, all of which combine and
discharge into a city sewer directly north of the north entrance.
These sewers receive the soil pipes from the various plumbing in-
stallations, the downspouts from the roofs, the area drainage and the
drainage from the tunnels under the ground floor. The pipes are
mainly of cast iron, and vary in size from 4 to 6 inches.

INTERIOR OF THE FINISHED BUILDING, ITS ARRANGEMENT, DIMEN-
SIONS, EQUIPMENT AND USES

GENERAL ACCOUNT

In its adaptation to the requirements of natural history collections
this new structure must be accorded the foremost position among the
museum buildings of the world; and despite its large size it is notable
for the compactness and convenience of its arrangement. The sub-
jects represented are wholly cared for under the same roof, and the
exhibition collections, the reserve collections and the laboratories re-
lating to each are, therefore, closely associated.

As described in the foregoing pages, the building comprises four
stories which are indicated on all of the facades by as many tiers of
windows, besides a certain amount of space in each wing immediately
under the roofs which is also available for museum purposes. There
are two public entrances, one at the middle of the north front, facing
B Street, the other at the middle of the south front, facing the park
or Mall. The former opens on the ground fioor, the latter, which on
account of its architectural position is the main entrance, on the first
floor. The principal stairs and the passenger elevators are located
near them, and while both are large and either would be ample for
the admission of any number of persons who might be expected to
visit the Museum at one time, in view of the size and arrangement of
the building, there seemed to be no way of avoiding this duplication,
which is mainly objectionable in that visitors depositing their um-
brellas, canes and other objects at one entrance must find their way
back to the same entrance on leaving. The other entrances, three in
number, are all in the ground story. One under the south portico and
opening into the driveway connecting the basement areas in front of
the east and west wings furnishes the most direct communication with

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 101

the large vault-like compartment comprised within the masonry of
the main approach. The doorways for the delivery of fuel and
freight, at the outer ends of the east and west wings, respectively, are
large enough to admit wagons, and adjacent to them are the freight
elevators and service stairs.

In recognition of the superior claims of the public, the exhibition
collections have been accorded the two principal stories, the first and
second, which they wholly occupy and which contain essentially no
subsidiary partition walls other than are required for carrying out
the schemes of installation. A large central hall and several rooms
in the ground story are also available for exhibition purposes, but
otherwise this and the third story are subdivided into many compart-
ments mostly used as laboratories and for the storage of collections,
but also furnishing accommodations for the mechanical equipment,
the construction and repair of furniture, the library, meetings and
lectures, and the offices. The attic story is utilized entirely for the
storage of specimens. .

The three departments of natural history established in the build-
ing occupy space in all stories, such an arrangement being in part
necessitated by the fact that no single story furnishes all of the con-
ditions required by any department, but with the convenient means
of communication the work of administering upon the collections is
not appreciably hampered by this circumstance. While the extent
of space allotted to each department varies in the successive stories,
its distribution has been so adjusted as to locate the department of
anthropology in the middle section of the building, the department
_ of geology in the eastern section, and the department of biology in
the western section. The divisions, in turn, have been assigned such
positions as best suit their individual needs or tend to associate
kindred subjects. .

The floor and galleries of the south pavilion above the ground
story furnish a large amount of space additional to that accounted
for above, which is accessible to the public and may in large part be
used for exhibition.

Except in the south pavilion and rotunda, the north entrance
vestibule and lobby and the light wells, there has been no attempt at
elaborate or decorative treatment in the finish of the interior, al-
though the large piers and heavy ceiling girders, which igre
most of the exhibition space outside of the three main halls, add
greatly to the appearance of the rooms and effectively frame the bay
arrangement of cases which generally prevails. The natural light-
ing of the exhibition halls and, in fact, of the entire building, owing
to the exceptional extent of window and skylight surface and its
arrangement, is excellent, and its distribution much better than is
customarily found in large museum buildings. The lighting of the

102 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

halls at night comprehends a general system and extensive provisions
for introducing such direct illumination of individual exhibits as may
be called for from time to time. :
A modern power plant supplies the steam and electric current for
heating and lighting and for operating such machinery as the build-
ing contains. There are electrical systems for recording the rounds

of the watchmen and for announcing the discovery of fire. Pipes

distribute water to all the floors, on each of which there are several
outlets with hose attachments in constant readiness for use, while a
powerful vacuum plant connected with all parts of the building
forms an important adjunct for cleaning purposes.

In the furnishing of the building a great advance has been made in
the matter of museum equipment, which has largely been rendered
possible through the recent progress in metal workmanship. The
claims so strongly set forth in some quarters in favor of the use of
metal in the exhibition halls have, however, after thorough consider-
ation, been mostly disregarded, only a few small cases with steel
frames having been introduced. With the remote possibility of the
occurrence of a fire in the large open spaces and its early discovery
in any event, the employment of metal because of its non-combustible
nature is not called for. Wood, even of the best quality, and ma-
hogany was selected for the new building, is much more economical
than metal; it lends itself more readily to artistic treatment, and the
different parts of cases retain their rigidity much better, being less
liable to warp and any tendency in that direction being more easily
corrected.

The conditions surrounding the general and reserve collections are,
however, very different, since these are kept in closed rooms and in
the attic where their constant surveillance is not possible, and the
cases for their storage have been mainly constructed of or covered
with steel. This has not been done on the assumption that this
material is completely protective, as the contrary has often been
proved, but because, in proportion to the extent of its use, the chances
of a fire being started or gaining headway are greatly lessened. In
view of the further fact that the various storage rooms, either indi-
vidually or in small suites, are entirely enclosed by fireproof walls,
it would seem that every reasonable precaution had been taken to
insure the safe-keeping of these, the more valuable, parts of the
national collections.

A detailed account of the furnishing of the building must be left
for a future report. Briefly, it may be said that, with the exception
of the desks, tables, file cases, chairs, etc., used in the laboratories and
offices, which are of commercial patterns, the bulk of all the furni-

ture has of necessity been specially made to meet the various and ~

particular needs of the Museum. In the construction of cases and

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 103.

fittings generally certain basic units of dimension have been recog-
nized, following a long established custom, which lends itself to uni-
formity of installation in the exhibition halls, and to a wide inter-
change of parts in connection with the storage of specimens. By
this system of standardizing the storage drawers and shelves, as well
as the cases for holding them, additions to or any rearrangement of
the contents of the cases is effected with little trouble.

The two large uncovered courts enclosed by the building, each
measuring 128 feet square, are intended in due time to be made acces-
sible to the public. They have been graded and sodded, and provided
with gravel walks, and in their present condition they are available
for the display of such classes of large objects as are not affected by

- exposure to the weather. Further improvements with a view to their

better adaptation to exhibition purposes are contemplated.
GROUND STORY

This story is adapted to a greater variety of purposes than any of
the others. It contains the auditorium; one wing is utilized for the
mechanical plant and the principal workshops; another includes a
large exhibition hall, and the third the rooms assigned to shipping
purposes and to the storage and distribution of supplies. Otherwise
the story is mainly given over to the storage of collections, and to
laboratories, preparators’ workrooms and offices. The description of
the story begins naturally with the north entrance, which is the one
most easily reached from the cars on Pennsylvania Avenue and Ninth
Street. From the vestibule, finished in gray and pink Tennessee
marble, three doors open into the large lobby, the treatment of which
is especially dignified and effective, the walls, piers and columns of
its middle section being entirely of white marble. A large opening
in the center of the south wall affords a vista through the great hall
or foyer of the north wing as far as the entrance to the auditorium.
In the end walls are the openings into the ranges, provided with
double doors of ground glass set in bronze frames; while on the right
in entering is the landing for the elevators, and on the left one of
the main staircases of the building, the latter occupying the entire
depth of the projection of the pavilion beyond the face of the adjoin-
ing range. The lobby is the headquarters of the watch, the room
back of the elevators serving as the office of the captain, and another
opening into the southeast corner as the locker and rest room for the
members of the force.

East range.—This range, with a median corridor, extending from
the north’ wing to the east wing, is typical in its subdivision. In
the northern section the space contiguous to the outer wall is divided
between the library and the office of buildings and labor in the pro-
portion of two to one. On the court side three units in length are

rat a “4 (5 hee
‘ * yeas
¢ hn Rig e's
: De Pye

104 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

occupied by the anthropological workshops and two by the library,
the remainder being at present utilized for miscellaneous purposes.
In the eastern section the entire space along the front, divided into
three rooms, is used by the section of vertebrate paleontology for
laboratories and storage, and the corresponding space on the court
side by the division of geology for workshops and storage.

West range——Of the two partition walls bounding the corridor in
the east range only one, that on the inner side, is repeated in this
range, where it also serves the purpose of enclosing a corresponding
series of rooms overlooking the west court. The remainder of the
range, measuring 31 feet 11 inches wide on the north side and 35
feet 4 inches wide on the west side, is open throughout its entire
length of about 335 feet except for a vestibule enclosure in front of
the freight elevator and the entrance to the west wing, a small com-
partment at the northwest corner of the range, and a room measuring
21 feet 10 inches by 20 feet 6 inches, adjoining the north entrance
lobby. The latter room is used for the telephone exchange, but
otherwise practically the entire range, with a floor area of 16260
square feet, is occupied by the division of mammals, the large hall _
containing the main series of cases for the storage of skins, and the
several rooms serving as laboratories and for the storage of the
smaller specimens and of special collections.

North wing.—The principal feature of the north wing is the large
central hall, extending from the north entrance lobby to the south
pavilion with both of which it communicates by means of large
openings. A singularly impressive effect is produced by the four
longitudinal rows of massive piers, of which the two inner rows are
25 feet 24 inches apart, leaving the median part of the hall unob-
structed to that extent. The piers in these rows measure 3 feet
13 inches by 8 feet 102 inches, which is also the size of those in the
lateral rows, but the latter enter into the construction of the side
walls, from which they project only 2 feet 7 inches. Between the
inner and lateral rows on each side the distance is 7 feet 34 inches.

This hall was designed for exhibition purposes and also serves as
a foyer to the auditorium, but being entirely ceiled over its only
sources of natural light are the opening into the north lobby and
the borrowed lights along the upper part of the side walls. Electric
lamps suspended from the ceiling provide an excellent general system
of illumination, which will, however, probably require to be supple-
mented by additional lamps at lower levels whenever collections are
installed, .

The series of rooms on each side of the central hall, facing the east
and west courts, have an average width in the clear of 30 feet
5 inches, the other dimension of the several rooms varying from one __
to three units. The northernmost room on the east side, already

A A Re a Mn sie Set

BULLETIN 80 PL. 13

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

«

ay} suryered

S)

(*fOT oSed 90g) ‘“WINTIOJIPNB oY} 0} 9OURIZUO OT] ST PUNOISZORq 103199 OY] UL “SMOO opIS oY} WLOIF [LBL
Ss ‘S}YSIL PoMOIMOG ITA ‘UOTJONAISUOO [[VA\ OY} WOES ST ISI OY] UO MOL OY] JO Youd pue ‘stord as1Bl JO SMOI OY} O1B SOpts OY} UO

"HLNOS ONINOO7 ‘AYOLSG GNNOYD ‘ONIAA HLYON “T1VH WWYLNAD

BULLETIN 80 PL. 14

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

(EOL 39Vd 33S)

“SALVYREALYAA TWSSO+4 4O

AYOLVHOSV7]

"AYOLS GNNOYS ‘FONVY LSvy

BULLETIN 80 PL. 15

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

(Ol 39vd 33S)

"SIVWWVIA) JO 3OVHOLS “AYOLS GNNOUYD ‘SONVY LSA

16

BULLETIN 80 PL.

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

(90} ASvd 33S)

“SALVYESLYSAN| ANIYVIA) JO AHYOLVYORV

"AYOLS GNNOYS “ONIAA LSSM

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 105

referred to as used by the watch force, opens into the entrance lobby.
All of the other rooms communicate with the central hall, the doors
occurring uniformly in the middle of each of the interspaces between
the attached piers except three. The publie comfort and toilet rooms
occupy two units on each side of the wing, and are entered by the
two doors nearest the lobby. The two rooms on the west side adjoin-
ing the south pavilion, and therefore near the auditorium, are fitted
up for the use of committees and for small scientific meetings, while
the remaining rooms, fcur in number, are reserved for temporary
exhibitions.

South pavilion—From the north wing one first enters that part
of the corridor in the south pavilion which has been finished as a
lobby for the auditorium, and which, together with the auditorium,
has been described in a previous connection. Beyond the steel doors
at the ends of this lobby, the continuation of the corridor, which ‘is
but plainly finished, gives access to the east and west wings by open-
ings 10 feet wide by 12 feet 4 inches high, and to the driveway
whence the large vault under the south approach is reached. This
vault furnishes a floor area of about 2,225 square feet suitable for
the storage of supplies. The tower stairs and south passenger ele-
vators have their lower landings on this floor, while the four rooms
contained in the south projection and one at the side are utilized for
the manufacture and storage of ice, for one of the large fans of the
ventilating system, and for housekeeping purposes.

East wing.—The description of the east wing in connection with
the mechanical equipment of the building leaves little to be said here.
The boiler and engine rooms occupy the middle of the wing, and are
followed at the inner or western end by the large generator and dis-
tribution switchboards. The suite of four rooms on the court side
comprises the office of the engineer and the machine and plumbing
shops. The wider series of rooms along the south front, with the
exception of one enclosure used for toilet purposes, constitutes the
construction and repair shops for furniture, etc. The coal bunker is
at the northeast corner of the wing. Adjoining it on the side is the
wagon drive for the delivery of fuel, with a depth of 41 feet 2 inches
from the entrance and a width of 19 feet 34 inches. It is followed at
the end of the wing by a large compartment originally intended and
equipped as a reserve coal bunker, but now used for the storage of
building supplies. Between this room and the front of the boiler
room is a corridor 18 feet 14 inches wide, giving access to the car-
penter shops.

The construction shops, four in number, which occupy nearly the
entire south side of the wing, are fitted up for the building and repair

of furniture and for work connected with the maintenance and repair

of the building. They are enclosed on the north side by a continuous

106 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

partition which in the part adjoining the engine room is provided
with high fixed transom lights of heavy wired glass. Beginning at
the east, the rooms consist of a paint shop measuring 32 feet by 47
feet, a cabinet shop, 30 feet 6 inches by 70 feet 10 inches, a carpenter
machine shop, 33 feet 6 inches by 55 feet, and a metal shop, 33 feet
6 inches by 16 feet 7 inches. To permit of the moving of large
pieces of furniture, the partitions separating these rooms have been
provided with door openings 8 feet wide by 10 feet high, which is
also the size of the opening into the corridor in front of the boiler
room.

These shops are excellently well equipped and contain facilities
for producing the highest grade of cabinet construction as well as for
such other kinds of work as can be done most advantageously by the
Museum force. The outfit of woodworking machinery, all of which
is operated by individual electric motors, thus obviating the use of
belts, includes a drill press, saw bench, variety molder, lathe, swing
cut-off saw, band saw, mortise machine, tenon machine, surface planer,
and oil stone and edge tool grinder.

Adjoining the toilet and locker room in the southwest corner of
the wing is a shower bath and dressing room.

West wing.—The entire central part of this wing is occupied by
the large compartment for the storage of alcoholic specimens, the
southern half of which is several feet longer than the northern, ow-
ing to an offset in its eastern wall. On the northern and southern
sides of the wing, separated from the compartment by 10-foot cor-
ridors enclosed and provided with steel doors at their outer ends,
are two series of rooms used as laboratories for the subjects repre-_
sented by the collections for which these storage quarters were
erected. The first of these series, measuring 19 feet 3 inches wide
in the clear and subdivided into three laboratory rooms for fishes,
faces the west court and extends a distance of five units from the
men’s toilet and locker rooms in the northeast corner of the wing.
Tt is followed on the west by a large open space, in which is located
the machinery for operating the freight elevator on this side of the
building. The other series occupies eight units along the south front,
commencing at the south pavilion, has an inside width of 19 feet 7
inches and is subdivided into five rooms, two of which are used by
the division of reptiles and batrachians and three by the division
of marine invertebrates.

Both corners at the outer end of the wing are enclosed to form
two large rooms, each with interior dimensions of about 47 by 28
feet. The southern room is the office for property and supplies and
contains extensive storage facilities for articles of small size; while
the northern room is the shipping and registration office. They are
separated by the wagon drive, the floor of which, paved with vitrified

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 107

brick, 1s at the same level as the outside driveway, or 3 feet below
that of the basement floor. Entrance is by means of two large door-
ways in the west wall, between which is a window of the typical
basement size. The depressed area is 50 feet 11 inches wide by 41
feet 2 inches deep. There is a narrow platform on each side, and a
broad one in front extending to the end wall of the alcoholic speci-
men room, a distance of 23 feet 10 inches, and provided with large
weighing scales. These platforms are but parts of the basement
floor, and in conjunction with the wide corridors in front of the
shipping and property offices, furnish ample and excellent facilities
for the delivery and handling of equipment and specimens.

Alcoholic specimen room.—The matter of providing suitable and
adequate accommodations for the storage of the collections of speci-
mens preserved in alcohol, which are already very large and are
constantly being added to, furnished one of the more perplexing
problems connected with the planning of the new building. On
account of the inflammable nature of this preservative and the
rapidity with which the atmosphere in a confined space may become
charged with its fumes, it was hoped that the funds would permit
of the erection of a separate structure for this exclusive purpose
even if it amounted to no more than a series of vaults in the bank facing
the south front of the building. Failing in this, it became necessary
to look to the building itself, and the arrangements which have
been carried out in the central part of the basement of the west
wing have resulted much more satisfactorily than had been antici-
pated. In the large compartment, the outlines of which have already
been given, there is ample space for the present and the immediate
future. The storage facilities are simple, compact and convenient.
No heating pipes have been admitted, and even the odor of alcohol
is practically dissipated by the effective system of ventilation that
has been introduced. The lighting is entirely by electricity, and
every element of danger that might be associated with such a vast
quantity of alcohol that is here brought together seems to have been
wholly eliminated. It is to be understood that this compartment
is simply a storehouse, though providing facilities for cleaning the
containers, for replenishing the preservative and for the manual
work of overhauling collections.

The outer walls of the compartment are constructed of brick, are
94 inches thick, including the outer plastered surface, the inner
surface as well as the enclosed piers being simply painted, and
extend from the floor to the ceiling without other piercings than
the door openings. The compartment measures in the clear 52 feet
11 inches wide; 121 feet % inch long in the northern half, and 130
feet 34 inches long in the southern half; and 18 feet 8 inches high
to the soffits of the ceiling arches. One lengthwise partition ex-

108 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

tending through the middle, and one cross partition on each side,
all of macite 4 inches thick and reaching from the floor to the ceil-
ing, subdivide it into four rooms of unequal size, the subjects to
which each, is mainly allotted and their measurements being as
follows: Reptiles and batrachians, 55 feet 9 inches by 26 feet 34
inches; fishes, 102 feet by 26 feet 34 inches; marine invertebrates
generally, 74 feet 24 inches by 26 feet 34 inches; and mollusks, 18
feet 9 inches by 26 feet 34 inches. The total available area is there-
fore 6,591 square feet and 115,342 cubic feet, the compartment hay-
ing been rendered serviceable to a height of 17 feet 6 inches.

The door openings are typical in size and position, measuring 3

feet 6 inches wide by 7 feet high, and occur midway between the piers
throughout the length of the side walls and therefore directly oppo-
site the openings into the laboratories across the corridors. The end

walls, however, are not pierced. The doors are also of the typical ©

pattern, constructed of molded pressed steel, with a cast-iron register

of the width of the panel and 6 inches high in the lower rail. These

registers constitute the only openings into the rooms when the doors
are closed and have therefore a close relationship with the ventilation
of the compartment as described in the section on the ventilation of
the building. The air is removed near the ceiling through as many
outlets as there are doors, each of these outlets communicating with
a common duct leading to a vertical flue which terminates at the roof.

Through the agency of a fan located at the base of the flue, which

operates to withdraw the air, the air of the compartment is expected
to be completely changed or renewed once in about every 47 minutes.

The compartment has been furnished in a manner unique for the
purpose, following in a general way the plan of the library book-
stack, which offers opportunity for a more compact arrangement and
a more complete utilization of the space than is obtainable by any
other method. The scheme comprehends tiers of adjustable shelving
attached to vertical frames and separated by narrow passageways.
The construction is entirely of steel, and in order to take advantage of
the entire height of the compartment an intermediate or mezzanine
floor has been introduced at a height of 8 feet. .

The stacks may be termed single or double, according to whether
they provide for shelving on one or both sides. The single stacks are
those built against the walls, all of which are so occupied except the
far inner wall in the room used for reptiles and batrachians and such

parts of the surface of the outer walls as were specifically required

for other purposes. The double stacks extend north and south or
crosswise of the rooms, and have passageways on both sides. In the
reptile room these stacks abut against the longitudinal macite parti-
tion, and the interspaces, measured between the outer edges of the
shelves, are 3 feet wide. In the other rooms, however, only those stacks

BULLETIN 80 PL. 17

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

(‘LoL o8ed 9ag) ‘1007
PUIUBZZ9UT OY} JO OPIS OpUN pu ‘SOATOYS PUB SYOVJS [0}8 OY} JO JUDUWIOSUBIIG SUTMOYS ‘Sosessud ULBUT 9} JO 9UO UMOP ALOT A

"ONIM LSAM ‘AHOLS GNNOYD JO LYVd JIGQII| ‘WOOY N3WIO3dG OIIOHOOT1Y

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 109

extend through which are on a line with the inner large brick piers
to which they are joined, the intervening ones stopping 3 feet short
of the single stacks against the macite partition, but all other passage-
ways are 2 feet 6 inches wide. A unit bay arrangement is thereby
carried out, the circulation being complete within each bay, but in
going from one bay to another it is necessary to return to the main
passageway adjacent to the outer walls. All of the double stacks
on each side of the compartment terminate at the outer end on the
same line, but the width of the main aisle varies from 3 feet in front
of the piers to 4 feet between them where single stacks occur.

The form of stack adopted is distinguished by the fact that, whether
single or double, the shelving, which is of the bracket type, is sup-
ported from single rows of uprights, making the adjustment of
shelves especially convenient and resulting in a considerable gain in
the amount of shelf space available. The uprights measure 17 feet
6 inches high. Those at the ends of all stacks are of angle irons,
while the intemnediate ones are of T irons, the measurements of both
being the same, namely 2 inches by 2 inches by } inch. In the single
stacks single irons are used, but in the double stacks each upright
consists of two such irons, spaced 1 inch apart at the ends of stacks
and 4 inch apart at intermediate points, and secured together. The
uprights are fastened to the floor by means of iron shoes, while at
the top they are braced between the ceiling girders by channel irons
and between the walls by tie bars.

On the side facing the passageway each of the uprights through-
out its entire height, except for the 6 inches occupied by the mezza-
nine fioor, is pierced with a continuous line of holes, each $ inch long
by 2 inch wide and spaced 14 inches on centers, which is the minimum
dimension for the adjustment of shelves. The brackets, to which the
shelves are attached, are triangular and consist of a solid piece of
12-gauge steel, provided on the back edge with a hook at the top and
a point at the bottom both of which engage the holes in the upright.
The shelves are of three widths, 12 inches, 16 inches and 18 inches,
and vary in length from 204 inches to 53% inches. They are made
of 14-gauge steel plate, and all 16 and 18-inch shelves, as well as all
12-inch shelves over 37 inches long, are reenforced their entire length
with a ? by 14-inch channel iron riveted in the middle of the under
side, As an additional means of strengthening the shelves, their
front edges are turned down in the form of a flange, 1 inch wide,
which serves for the attachment of labels, and the edges at the back
are bent up to provide a stop, 1 inch high, which prevents the jars
or bottles being pushed from the shelf.

The mezzanine floor is constructed of black slate, 1 inch thick, set
in a steel framing which is attached to the walls and to the uprights
of the stacks. The under side of the steel beams is 8 feet above the

110 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

ground floor, while the height of the uprights of the stacks above the
slate floor is 9 feet 14 inches. Around the stacks the mezzanine floor
is edged with a curb of 2 by 2-inch angle iron at a distance of 2 inches
from the front of the bottom shelf in each stack, this interspace
aiding in the circulation of air between the two stories.

The provisions for reaching the mezzanine floor consist of an
elevator in each of the enclosures and a flight of stairs in each except
that occupied by the division of mollusks, where the space is in-
sufficient to permit of the introduction of both means of communica-
tion. All are located against the outer wall, adjoining door openings.
The elevators are operated by hand, and are of simple steel frame
construction with the platform measuring 4 feet 44 inches by 2 feet
54 inches. They are thus of a size to accommodate the 36 by 18-inch
trucks which are used for carrying the bottles, jars and tanks of
alcoholic specimens between the laboratories and the storage rooms,
and through the passageways between the stacks. The stairs are
entirely of steel and of plain, openwork construction, but, on account
of the restricted space available for the purpose, it has been necessary
to build them steep and ladderlike. Each of the three larger rooms
also contains a large soapstone sink with running water.

The shelves are finished in baked enamel of an olive green color,
while all the other steel work in the compartment, including that of
the stacks, the mezzanine floor, the stairs and elevators, are painted
the same color. The under side of the slate in the mezzanine floor is
painted white, and the upper surface is oiled to keep the dust laid.

The capacity of the storage compartment cannot be computed
with any degree of definiteness on account of the varying character

and sizes of the containers in which the alcoholic specimens are

preserved. The larger and heavier receptacles, such as tanks, are
kept on the floor at the base of the stacks, but jars of considerable
size may be stored on the shelves at any convenient height. It has
been stated that the shelves are of three widths. The 12-inch
shelves are used only in the double stacks which contain no other
widths. The 16-inch shelves are peculiar to the stacks along the
two sides of the longitudinal macite partition, and the 18-inch shelves
to those at the ends of the rooms and along the outer walls. With
an allowance of 12 inches for the average height of the interspaces
between shelves, seven shelves may be accommodated below the
mezzanine floor and eight above, a total of fifteen, not counting
the ground floor space below the lower shelf. On this basis the
stack capacity is equivalent to 27,180 lineal feet of 12-inch shelving,
9,250 feet of 16-inch shelving, and 2,520 feet of 18-inch shelving,
or a total of 31,950 lineal and 33,960 square feet of shelf surface.
The present installation, which is somewhat less, is as follows:
Of 12-inch shelving, 22,9204 lineal feet; of 16-inch shelving, 1,959

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING aes «i Bb

lineal feet; and of 18-inch shelving, 1,989 lineal feet; a total of
_ 26,8683 lineal and 28,516 square feet of shelf surface. While the
present shelf space seems quite fully occupied, it is improbable that
the capacity of the compartment will be overtaxed for some years.
The load capacity of the shelves, as determined by actual tests, is
about 155 pounds to the square foot, which is sufficiently in excess
of any weight they will be called upon to carry to leave a good
margin of safety.

For the lighting of the alcoholic compartment, which is wholly
dependent upon artificial means, a simple but effective electric
system has been provided. The wires are run in }-inch loricated
electro ducts or pipes, which are carried, uncovered, about the room,
connecting the switches with the receptacle outlets. The outlets
are mostly dropped a short distance from the ceiling in both stories,
and are supplied with Benjamin two-light tungsten clusters, with
the idea that, generally, only one lamp will be used directly in each
cluster, leaving the other socket for an attachment plug with ex-
tension cord and lamp which can be carried or moved about the
shelving. The distribution of the outlets is through the aisles along
the outer and inner walls, and in the passageways between the
stacks, there being one outlet in each of the latter.

The lighting is controlled separately in the two stories, and also
separately for each bay or length unit. The switches are all con-
veniently placed on the inner surface of the outer walls. For the
lower floor there is a switch on the entrance side of each door, which
controls the lights in the corresponding bay. On the second floor
there is, in addition to the general system, a patrol system, consist-
ing of one lamp in each bay along the outer corridor, the switches
for which are directly at the top of the stairs and elevators. The
object of the patrol system is to furnish some light as soon as one
reaches the upper floor, which has not the advantage of the door
openings possessed by the lower floor.

FIRST STORY AND SOUTH PAVILION

South pavilion and rotunda.—While the first story may be reached
as readily by means of the stairs and elevators leading from the north
entrance in the ground story, the logical approach is from the south

or park side by way of the large opening within the portico at the
head of the double flight of broad granite steps. Passing through
the small bronze, marble and glass vestibule inside of the heavy iron
grilles at this, the main, entrance, one finds himself on the main floor
of the south pavilion and rotunda, which is virtually the center of
communication for all parts of the building. As described elsewhere,
the space enclosed in this prominent architectural feature is of large

112 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

dimensions, and, despite the many structural and elaborative details, —
the plan is simple and the treatment harmonious and effective. The °
contrast between the massive piers and the light, open screens is
marked but pleasing, the latter, serving as a decorative relief for the
plain walls back of them, disclosing the positions of the several
stories and the relations of the pavilion to the wings, while the open-
ings in the piers locate the stairs and elevators, by which the suc-
cessive galleries are reached and the general circulation is directed.

The total amount of open floor space furnished by the south pa-
vilion is 22,327 square feet, of which 9,873 square feet are on the
main floor, including the area within the rotunda and the corridor
surrounding it. Each of the galleries contains 3,875 square feet, to
which in the third gallery should be added the open space of 829
square feet adjoining the large semicircular window on the south.
Practically all of this space belongs to the public, and to a con-
siderable extent it is available for exhibition purposes, but in what
manner and for what subjects it may be utilized remains for future
consideration.

Wings.—Of the three openings from the pavilion into each of the
wings on the main floor, one is central and leads into the skylighted
area, while the others are lateral and lead into the side aisles. The
east and west wings are identical in all respects; the north wing
differs from them in being somewhat shorter and in possessing cer-
tain features at the outer end which are peculiar to it.

The width of the skylighted area, measured between the inner
faces of the piers of the lateral rows, is the same in all the wings, —
namely, 49 feet 5 inches. The length of this area, from the face of
the pavilion wall to the inner face of the piers of the outer crossrow,
is 167 feet 54 inches in the east and west wings, and a few inches
greater in the north wing. The width of the side aisles, including
the 2-foot thickness of the piers, is about 33 feet 4 inches on the south
side and 383 feet on the court side of the east and west wings, and 33
feet 1 inch on both sides of the north wing.

The space beyond the light well at the outer ends of the east and
west wings is much wider than the side aisles, measuring 48 feet 64
inches from the inner face of the piers of the crossrow to the end
wall, in which the window arrangement is the same as on the south
front. Along the north side of these wings where they are joined
by the ranges, and including the extension of the wings beyond the
range fronts, a total distance of over 90 feet, there are no windows,
a condition which is repeated in all the stories, but, nevertheless,
there is no part of the adjacent area which is not sufficiently well
lighted for exhibition purposes.

In the north wing, the projection beyond the line of the north
front of the ranges is occupied on one side by the square stair case

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING Ete

and on the other by an enclosure of corresponding size, containing
the passenger elevators and a room behind them. The intervening
space, lighted by the three large windows over the north entrance
and measuring 70 feet long by 15 feet 94 inches wide, is screened off
from the main part of the wing by a terra cotta wall, 23 inches thick,
with three piercings all of which are 14 feet 4? inches high, the
middle one being 11 feet 3 inches wide, and each of the side ones, 9
feet 8 inches wide. Between this wall and the adjacent crossrow of
piers is a passageway 17 feet 3 inches wide.

In each of the wings the skylighted area has been mostly screened
from the aisles, so that the former is almost entirely illuminated
from above, while the latter receive nearly all of their light from
the windows. By this means additional wall space has also been ob-
tained and definite boundaries have been established for the installa-
tion of different classes of exhibits. The introduction of these
screens has, moreover, tended to improve the appearance of the in-
terior of the wings by virtually carrying down the walls of the light
wells to the floor level and thereby separating the high central area,
as a great hall, from its relatively low-ceilinged surroundings. From
the manner of their construction, however, the vastness of the space
enclosed in each wing is in evidence from nearly every point of view.

In the east and west wings the screens consist of plastered walls
built between the piers of the lateral rows and reaching from the
floor to the longitudinal ceiling girders which span the piers. They
are therefore confined to the sides of the skylighted area, but do not
extend its entire length, since on each side the interspace between the
pavilion wall and the first pier and that between the end piers of
the side row and the crossrow have been left open, partly for appear-
ance sake and partly to provide for greater freedom of circulation.
In the east wing the screens are built of brick and are 10 inches thick,
the attached piers, 3 feet wide, projecting about 7 inches on the inner
faces. Measured with reference to these screens, the width of the
central hall is approximately 50 feet 6 inches, of the north aisle, 31
feet 8 inches, and of the south aisle, 31 feet 11 inches. In the west
wing the walls are of reenforced macite and only 44 inches thick, and
the width of the central hall is increased to 52 feet 5 inches with the
piers projecting 18} inches, while that of the north aisle is reduced
to 31 feet 2 inches, and of the south aisle to 31 feet 6 inches.

Picture gallery—To provide accommodations for the hanging of
the paintings of the National Gallery of Art, the screening of the
central part of the north wing has been carried out in an entirely dif-
ferent manner from that above described. The space enclosed is
somewhat longer and narrower, and is also completely surrounded
except for the entrance openings. This results from the fact that,

80120°—Bull. 80—18——_8

iff. UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

while the passageway adjoining the pavilion retains the same width
as in the other wings, the screen walls, which do not reach to the
ceiling, extend to the outer end of the skylighted area, are built
against the inner faces of the piers, and return at both ends. Forthe — ‘
purpose of increasing the amount of wall space in this general en- _
closure, which measures 146 feet long by 48 feet wide, it is subdi-
vided by walls of the same character and height into eight rooms
symmetrically disposed, besides three short sections of corridor run- __
ning with the longitudinal axis of the hall. The largest of the ea
rooms is midway of the enclosure and occupies its entire width, meas- _
uring 48 feet by 36 feet. Immediately adjoining it both to the north
and south is a pair of rooms, the rooms in each pair being separated _
by a 12-foot corridor and all having the same dimensions, namely, _
36 feet. by 18 feet. The southern end of the enclosure consists of a __
single room, 48 feet by 18 feet; and the northern of two small rooms, _
each 174 feet by 144 feet, separated by a corridor 18 feet wide. The
enclosure is entered from the north and south only, and each of the
rooms, except the two smallest ones, has two openings without doors,
permitting the free circulation of visitors. The corridors are finished — .
and utilized in the same manner as the rooms. er
The screen walls are built with a core of 3-inch macite blocks
strengthened by iron bars and covered with wood as the most suit-
able medium for the hanging of pictures. Measuring only 18 feet 11
inches high, an open space of 3 feet occurs between the top of the -
enclosing walls and the under surface of the ceiling girders which
span the piers. All wall surfaces within the enclosure have a 6-inch
base of pink Tennessee marble, surmounted by a wood base of the
same height, and followed by a molded wainscot rail 3 feet above the ~
floor. All of the compartments except the south room and the corri-
dors are also provided with a 24-inch round handrail of oak at the
same height as the wainscot rail, and about 2 feet from the wall
supported on ornamental cast-iron brackets. With the exception of
the handrail, all exposed woodwork, including the trims of the door
ways and the molding along the tops of the screens, is of cypress.
The surface for the hanging of paintings measures 10} feet high —
from the wainscot rail to the top molding, and has a total linear ex- —
tent, excluding openings, of about 950 feet. It is covered with bur
lap, as is also the space between the baseboard and the wainscot rail
the color of this material being dark green in the rooms and light
brown in the corridors. The outer surface of the enclosing wall,
covered with the lighter color of burlap, is used for paintings at the _
north and south ends, but along the sides Me is mainly occupied by
cases for ethnological subjects. 5
Notwithstanding that the skylight over this hall was designed for
lighting a different class of objects than paintings, it has given gen-

Ss

BULLETIN 80 PL. 18

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

818 JUSI[ SUITIO

a)

(‘g1L e8ed 999) ‘aA0qB UdeS
OY} PUR [TOM JUST] oY} JO STTBM OY, “WY Jo AJaT[eH TRUOBN 94} Jo ssurured oy} 10J posn oinsoy

"AYOLS LSHI4 ‘ONIAA HLYON ‘TIVH AVYLN3SO

— PROM Ra at BRIO CAR ape SAB

ee

OUT [[ BA UdAIOS JY} OFUL SUTYOO'T

BULLETIN 80 PL. 19

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

(‘G[T osed 998)

“ASOTOUYJO JO UOTJICIYXT ‘Sopts TIO UO SMOPUTA pu sretd JO MOI OLSUIS SurMOYS

"AYOLS LSHI4 ‘SONVY 1SVg

BULLETIN 80 PL. 20

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

(COLT osed

o

ag

)

“SULO.

ra)

pur

S[BIOULU JO UOTJIQIYUXA ‘ssurusdo AUODTR OA} YIIAL [TBA [[OAN IU

"ONIM LSVq ‘AYOLS GNOOZS ‘STIVH 3dIS SHL 4O JNO

SI]

JO UOTIOAS ®B ST IFO]

ay uO

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 115

_ eral satisfaction, although some parts of the enclosure, and especially
of the smaller rooms, are not as well illuminated as they should be.

_ During bright weather, however, it is necessary to make use of a
series of muslin curtains which are arranged between the skylight and
the ceiling light. For night lighting there is a very complete sys-
tem of Frink reflectors carrying electric lamps, as described in con-
nection with the electrical equipment of the building.

Ranges—The two ranges are alike in all particulars and present
a continuous floor space adapted to exhibition purposes, which is
unobstructed except by the enclosures for the freight elevators and

_ service stairs and by the single row of pilastered piers, 2 feet 2 inches
square. The latter are centered at a distance of about 17 feet 5 inches
from the court walls, thus permitting, in the installation of cases, of
the formation of aisles through the middle of each range. The width
of the ranges in the clear is 54 feet 2 inches, while the extreme length
of each is 316 feet 10 inches. Communication with the east and west
wings is by means of two large openings, and with the middle wing
by three such openings.

Division of space, arrangement of installations—The first. floor,
exclusive of the south pavilion, furnishes 106,266 square feet of exhi-
bition space which is shared almost equally by the three departments
of anthropology, biology and geology. The north wing, with the
exception of the space assigned to the picture gallery, and the north-
ern section of both ranges are occupied by the division of ethnology.
The west wing and adjoining section of the west range are allotted
to the mammals and birds; while the east wing is devoted to paleon-
tology, and the adjoining section of the east range to physical and
chemical geology.

While no fixed rules have or could be followed in the installation
of the exhibition halls, since the arrangement of the cases has de-
pended largely on their shapes and sizes as governed by the nature

_of their contents, the general layout in the window-lighted spaces
has been in a manner to form bays, each disposed about a single
window. ‘There are, however, many departures from this plan.
Long upright cases, facing the windows, have been built against some
of the screen and light well walls, while in the skylighted areas, in
which objects of large size predominate, the distribution of the
exhibits conforms in the main to individual requirements in the
matter of space and position.

SECOND STORY ‘

_ In the second story the ranges present the same arrangements and
furnish the same amount of floor space as in the first story. In the

_ wings, however, while the general dimensions correspond with those

in the first story, the amount of floor space is greatly reduced by the

116 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

piercings for the light wells, the enclosing walls of which contain —
the structural columns and present a flush surface broken only by —
the several balcony openings overlooking the central halls. Hach of
the wings in this story contains, therefore, two elongate halls, one on
each side of the light well, communicating with the first gallery in
the pavilion by means of a large doorway, and opening into the space ~
at the outer end of the wing, which, in the east and west wings, takes
the shape of a shorter but broader hall.

In the east and west wings the side halls have a length of about
169 feet 6 inches and an average width of about 31 feet 3 inches, —
being between 3 and 4 inches wider on the south side than on the ©
court side. The end halls are 116 feet 2 inches long, which is the
width of the wing, and 46 feet 6 inches wide. In the north wing —
the side halls measure 170 feet 5 inches by 31 feet 1 inch. The outer —
end of the wing is subdivided as in the story below, the north pavil- —
ion containing the staircase on one side and the elevator shaft and
small room on the other, while the intervening space adjoining the
large windows, and measuring 70 feet 1 inch long by 15 feet 8 inches
wide, is enclosed in front by a screen wall 214 inches thick. This
wall, separated from the end of the light well enclosure by a pas-
sageway about 17 feet 3 inches wide, has five openings 13 feet 10 —
inches high, the middle one being 11 feet 24 inches wide, those ~
next following on each side, 9 feet 8 inches, and the lateral ones, 5
feet 74 inches. It is, moreover, joined at right angles by a con- —
tinuation of each of the side walls of the light wells, with pea i
15 feet 8 inches high and 13 feet 74 inches wide.

The amount of exhibition space afforded by the second story in
the wings and ranges is 79,028 square feet, of which 30,467 feet are
used by the department of anthropology, 32,634 feet by the depart- —
ment of biology, and 15,927 by the department of geology. The —
anthropological collections, which occupy the north wing and east —
range, are illustrative of American and Old World archeology; the
biological collections, installed in the west wing and west range,
include the reptiles, fishes, invertebrates and the osteological and om
special exhibits; and the geological collections, contained in the east ‘
wing, comprise the minerals and gems and the building and other
useful stones.

THIRD STORY

The floor layout in the third story corresponds with that in th
second story and the aggregate amount of space is practically the —
same, notwithstanding certain variations in the floor measurements. —
For instance, while the walls of the light wells are 2 feet thick in ~
the second story, their thickness in the third story is only about 5 —
inches, and the width of the spaces at the sides and ends of the ba i

x

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

eececeeteececeerre &

oe

+ apemmeconasese

eereceececerece

a. eere

44

BULLETIN 80 PL. 21

East WING, THIRD STORY.

(See page 117.)

Laboratory of fossil invertebrates.

BULLETIN 80 PL. 22

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

*[9048 JO A[OIN UA Orv S}UOIT O[(BAOULOL PUR ‘SSIOMBIP ‘SosRvd OY, ‘sosodand o81

‘AYOLS GHIH| SONIA HLYON 4O GNZ HLYON

310]S 1OJ

[[By 9pIM Jo

asn SUIMOYS

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 23

EAST RANGE THIRD STORY.

Showing use of 10-foot corridor for storage cases. The construction is of steel. (See page 117.)

BULLETIN 80 PL. 24

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

008) “USI, Surpioo oy} puB YYSI[AYS oy} Uso jog [JOM IYSIT OYZ JO ST[VA OY} UT Iv YO, OX UO SMOPUTA OY, ‘TRJeUE Jo ATaITVUA SOAq Us

PUB PaATOAOD [99JS O1B SOSBO OUT,

(‘STL ased
rar + + aT Sg 5 ‘ 1}
SOATOYS PUB SOSVd OSBIOJS JO JUDULOSUBIIG PUB ‘S10G WOU SSN} O]RIPOULIOJUL ‘pavod oxOUS JO SUI[Leo ospRy Surmoys

"ONIM LSSM 4O AXOLS DILLY

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING LIT

is increased to the extent of the difference. On the other hand, the
_ terra cotta furring introduced against the sloping mansards reduces
the width of the ranges by 2 feet 4 inches. The only detached piers
are the two at the outer ends of the east and west wings, and the
single one at each corner of the ranges, the others, all confined to
the wings, being attached to the walls of the light wells, from which
_ they project 17 inches, their width being 23 inches.

This story is used almost entirely for laboratories and the storage
of reserve collections, but contains the principal business offices. It
is subdivided in accordance with the typical plan, as described else-
where, and is exceptionally well lighted, containing scarcely any dark
spaces and none that is not serviceable. All of the rooms, except
closets, have one or more windows or double windows, according to
their length, while the corridors receive light in abundance from the
glass panels in the doors, the transoms above the doors and the bor-
rowed lights in the walls of the light wells, besides the window at
the northern end of the north and south corridor in each range.

The assignments of space are approximately as follows: The east
wing is mostly occupied by the department of geology, including the
office of the head curator, the divisions of systematic and applied
geology and mineralogy, and a part of the collections of fossil inverte-
brates, but also contains the office of the head curator of biology. The
division of paleontology is continued into the east range, the entire
eastern section of which is used for fossil invertebrates and fossil
plants.

The department of anthropology begins in the northern section of
the east range, which contains the divisions of physical anthropology,
ethnology and historic archeology; and in the north wing it occupies
the rooms at the north end as offices and nearly the entire eastern
side for the division of prehistoric archeology. In this wing, adjoin-
ing the south pavilion on each side, are the comfort and toilet rooms
and the main housekeeping rooms for the third story, and on the
west side is a suite of rooms designed for restaurant purposes.

In the west wing the rooms along the south front are used for busi-
ness offices, while two large rooms at the end of the wing and the
entire space between the light well and the court wall are occupied
by the division of birds. The western section of the west range is
entirely devoted to the division of mollusks, and the northern sec-
tion, with the exception of two small rooms adjoining the middle
wing, to the division of insects.

As the width of the corridors may seem unnecessarily great, it
should be explained that no part of this space is to be regarded as
wasted, since the installation of storage cases along the sides was con-
templated in the plans, and it has already become necessary to make
use of them to some extent in this manner. In fact, by this arrange-

118 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

ment, a greater amount of storage space has been secured than would
have been the case had the corridors been made narrower and the
room widths increased proportionally.

ATTIC STORY

In the attic story the wing sections only are accessible for museum
purposes. They have the same distribution of floor space as the
wings in the third story, practically all of which, with the exception
of such parts as are occupied by the enclosures of the ventilating sys-
tem, is available for use. The lighting in the main is excellent and
well diffused, being furnished by the continuous series of windows in
the side walls of the light wells. The ventilation is also good, being
more direct than in the lower stories, and the false ceiling of Sackett
board tends to mitigate the direct effect of the sun’s rays on the roof.
These conditions make the attic more habitable than such places gen-
erally are, and add to its utility for storage the advantages and con-
veniences required for the handling and sorting and even for the
examination of collections.

The walls of the light wells are only 34 inches thick and their
faces, as in the third story, are subdivided into uniform panels or
bays by attached piers. The spaces at the sides average about 33
feet 1 inch wide, while those at the ends measure 48 feet 2 inches wide
in the east and west wings, and 36 feet 6 inches wide in the north
wing. The height of the story to the under side of the false ceiling
is about 9 feet at the sides of the light wells and about 8 feet 5 inches
at the outer edge of the decked portion of the roof. Intermediate
members of the roof trusses, in the form of an open framework cor-
responding to each truss, extend crosswise of the spaces at intervals
of 184 feet, measured between centers, and divide them into regular
sections, leaving, however, an unobstructed thoroughfare, about 6
feet wide, adjoining the sides of the light wells.

Each of the wings communicates with the third gallery of the south
pavilion by means of a large opening on each side, provided with
double steel doors. The freight elevators, the southern passenger
elevators and the tower stairs all extend to this story, which is also
reached by four service stairs from the third story, two located in the
north wing and one each in the east and west wings.

The total amount of floor space in the attic story, not including
the south pavilion, is about 48,436 square feet, from which about
2,819 square feet should be deducted on account of the ventilating
‘enclosures, the stairs and the elevators. The truss members must also
be taken into account, and to a certain extent the heating mains,
though these are mostly raised some distance above the floor. In
view of the isolation of the wings and of their height above the
ground, which greatly diminishes the annoyance from dust, it has not

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 119

been considered necessary to subdivide the sections into rooms, and
only four enclosures, all with macite walls, have been built. One is
in the north wing and three are in the west wing. Otherwise the
storage cases and racks are for the most part compactly arranged in
the bays formed by the truss members, and are reached from the
thoroughfares along the light wells.

Each of the departments has been given the entire occupancy of a
wing, the eastern being assigned to geology, the northern to anthro-
pology, and the western to biology.

INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS OF THE BUILDING

The dimensions given on the following pages are based mainly on
actual measurements of the finished building and are exclusive of all
structural walls whatever their position. The size of each wing and
range, for instance, has been calculated separately and in the clear
between its side walls and its end walls, and the same rule has been
followed in accounting severally for the measurements of the three
sections into which the ground story of the north wing has been
subdivided by the structural walls near its northern end, namely,
the vestibule, lobby and main body of the wing, and also for the
dimensions of the many enclosures contained within the structural
walls of the south pavilion. That is to say, the figures recorded are
designed to set forth the amount of available space furnished by the
_ building in whole or in part, which is, however, strictly true only in
so far as the space is not subdivided by subsidiary screen and parti-
tion walls, for which as for the many piers occurring in the several
stories it has manifestly been impracticable to make allowance.

As the inner surfaces of the outer and court walls were continued
in the same vertical plane from the level of the ground floor to the
eaves in the wings and to the third floor level in the ranges, the gen-
eral horizontal dimensions would be identical in all stories, except
the attics or lofts of the ranges, but for the fact that the addition of
certain furring has reduced the width of the ranges in the third
story, and the plaster work elsewhere has produced slight variations.
Allowing for these differences, it may be said that the east and west
wings have an average length of 216 feet 1 inch in all stories except
the attic, which is unplastered and measures 216 feet 2 inches long.
The length of the north wing through the center is 205 feet 2 inches
in the first, second and third stories, and 205 feet 3 inches in the
attic story, but in all stories except the attic the length is increased at
the sides by the depth of the lateral projections of the north pavilion,
which is 5 feet 11 inches.

None of the wings has a uniform width throughout its entire
length, but all average 116 feet 2 inches wide at the outer end below
the attic, in which this dimension is 2 inches greater. An offset of

120 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

about 82 inches is presented by each of the side walls adjoining the
ranges. In the east and west wings there is naturally but one such
offset, which occurs about 64 feet from the outer end of the wing and
reduces its width by the amount of the projection over the remain-

ing: distance of about 152 feet to the wall of the rotunda. In the

north wing there are two offsets, one on each side, at a distance of
about 70 feet from the outer end, or at the juncture of its court
wall with those of the ranges, and the reduction in the width of
the inner part of this wing is double that in the other wings. In
calculating the floor area of the wings allowance has also to be
made for the piercings of the light wells above the main story.

The ranges furnish identical measurements in the ground, first and -
second stories in which the width is uniformly 54 feet 2 inches, and
the total length of each range through the middle 316 feet 10 inches.
In the third story the width is 51 feet 10 inches, and the length 314
feet. 6 inches.

The south pavilion measures 111 feet 7 inches between its enclosing
walls on both main axes, and 122 feet 1 inch on the diagonal axes,
while the dimensions of the rotunda are 81 feet 6 inches on the main
axes, measured between the screens, and 83 feet 54 inches on the
diagonal axes, measured between the great piers. In determining
the total area of the main floor of the pavilion only the space occupied
by the piers was excluded. The corridor back of the piers and screens
is 12 feet 42 inches wide, and the same dimensions are repeated in ©
the several galleries, but the extent of the third or upper gallery is
increased by the open space, 48 feet 2 inches long by 19 feet 24 inches
wide, adjoining the large semicircular window on the south,

In computing the amount of space allotted to different purposes, —
the results of which are shown in the second and third tables which
follow, the entire available floor area of the building has been ac-
counted for. The exhibition space as given is clear of all obstruc-
tions other than the piers and screens, and the dimensions recorded
for all parts of the south pavilion are wholly in the clear between
walls. In the ground and third stories of the wings and ranges gen-
erally, however, the simple partition walls have been proportioned be-
tween the different assignments and included in their measurements,
as have also the corridors which, owing to their width, are to a large
extent available and already partly used for storage purposes. The
spaces occupied by the stair wells and elevator shafts have naturally
been repeated for each of the stories traversed, but in the aggregate
their extent is relatively small for so large a building. The principal
piercings occur in connection with the northern and the tower stairs.
The former are practically square, measuring with the landings 22
feet 34 inches by 22 feet 52 inches, but the latter are elongate and 13
feet 104 inches wide by 35 feet 84 inches long.

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING a 8 |

The apportionment of floor space by subjects, so far as it has been
determined, is given in detail in the last, of the tables, from: which it
will be observed that of the total of 468,118 square feet furnished by
the building, 233,273 square feet, or one-half of the entire area, has
been dedicated to the public, comprising, besides the exhibition halls
in the wings and ranges, the main floor and galleries in the south
pavilion, the auditorium, and the vestibule and lobby at the north
entrance. The amount of space occupied for the storage of collec-
tions and for the laboratories is 158,989 square feet, and the remain-
der is divided between the heating and power plant, the shops for
the maintenance and repair of the building and furniture, the busi-
ness offices, the comfort rooms, housekeeping, the stairs and ele-
vators, etc.

AVAILABLE FLOOR SPACE OF THE BUILDING

Wings and ranges.
Square feet

Ground story.—East and west wings, each 24,995 square feet; north
wing, 23,170 square feet; east and west ranges, each 17,052 square

Eh th oe ea MN th Se a ae ole 107, 264
First story.—East and west wings, each 24,995 square feet; north wing,

23,896 square feet; east and west ranges, each 17,052 square feet____ 107, 990
Second story.—East and west wings, each 15,927 square feet; north
wing, 14,794 square feet; east and west ranges, each 17,052 square

Farrer a (ec IEA AEN nN sD A a UL SCN ge 80, 752
Third story.—East and west wings, each 16,475 square feet; north
wing, 15,399 square feet; east and west ranges, each 16,192 square

Fite ae 2 a DT eh ER EL NES NR SR Np NR Le es SEUSS PRETEND 80, 733
Attic story.—East and west wings, each 16,606 square feet; north wing,
315) RUE SCT RU OH ela R31 a Ae a ps SARIN er bee a eee ea ee ee 48, 436

South pavilion.
Ground story, 11,684 square feet; first story, 11,490 square feet; second

story, 5,605 square feet; third story, 5,695 square feet; fourth or
PTC SLORY ss O12 44 SUITE) LOC t es eee Oo ae ae 40, 718

TPG ale MOOI ALOR OL LEO POUL ITN Oe ee el nn ES oo 465, 893

South approach.

Vault enclosed by the masonry of the south approach__-_------------- 2, 225

Total floor area of the building and approach_-_-_------------- 468, 118

128 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

DIVISION OF SPACE BY STORIES
Ground story.

North entrance: Vestibule, 763 square feet; lobby, 4,209

Square feet

SQUaATEe: TEU ee OEE ee Ne OS Ree eee ae es eee 4, 972
Exhibition space: Central hall or foyer in north wing, 7,790
square feet; four rooms on sides of north wing, 4,616 square
=) ey sp OURS NaI PAGS 9 UN NE NaNO coed Dh Neg ie AMER NS PTs PROM ea YE) 8 12, 406
Laboratories and storage of collections: West wing, 16,366
square feet; west range, 16,260 square feet; east range,
AD DFS SOMA TO. Fee iy Mi eT AL Zr SII 43, 904
Meetings and lectures: Auditorium, 5,401 square feet; audi-
torium lobby, 1,163 square feet; two rooms on west side of
north wing, used for small meetings, 1,710 square feet______ 8, 274
sla yey 5} CeUSty ren SS I Se Na 3, 917
Mechanical plant: Boilers, machinery, shops, coal bunker and
driveway for delivery of coal, east wing, 15,885 square feet ;
ice machine and ventilating apparatus, south pavilion, 662
square feet; battery room communicating with north en-
trance Jobby; 142\square eet. 222s See Se oe eee 16, 689
Offices of buildings and labor, east range__-__________________ 1, 512
Offices of shipping, registration, property and supplies, with
wagon entrance, landing platform, and corridors, west wing__ 1,555
Construction and repair shops for furniture and building, east
BAL Fe esa Sh SMaAmC ICONS ney NOME Vy ORT De RUN ee Nae ESS Degen UE TESS 6, 284
Storage space for property, supplies and mechanical appliances,
east wing, 1,764 square feet; corridor on east, south, and
west sides of south pavilion, 3,182 square feet; vault under
south approach, 2,225 square feet____________________-___- 1G, Ai:
Headquarters of the watch, communicating with the north
entrance lop yy = ae ee ee ee ee ee 880
Telephone exchange, west Tange: . 22 620 i eee 447
Comfort, toilet, and locker rooms_____-__________-___------_- 4,128
Housekeeping rooms, south pavilion-__________________--_-- 215
Stairs, elevators, and elevator machinery_______-____________ 2, 819
Total area of ground story, including vault under south
PPM) 9) Oye LM a ON UR EN I EY ey ee eS
First story.
Exhibition space: East and west wings, each 24,995 square
feet; north wing, 22,862 square feet; east and west ranges,
each 16,707 square feet; south pavilion, 9,873 square feet-__ 116,189
Small rooms: One in north wing, 357 square feet; four in
south pavilion, 556 square (tech 2222) ee a eee 913
Stairs, and (elevators. 2222 a ee eee 2, 428
Notalareaot Mfirstistery2 222. eee
Second story.
Exhibition space: East and west wings, each 15,927 square
feet; north wing, 13,760 square feet; east and west ranges,
each 16,707 square feet; south pavilion gallery, 5,875 square
bf (1 Peete I Ete MRE 2 tlie ENS ayer DE ie ile eae a sha eel oe 82, 903

121,173

119, 480 |

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING

Small rooms: One in north wing, 357 square feet; five in
Saueh pavinon, G6o square teete2 222. 2
Rae HG ClOVATONSs. 2 seers ent h Be NT Abe

Total area Of Second jStomyeat sa2 ene ee ee
Third story.

Laboratories and storage of collections: East wing, 16,354
square feet; west wing, 8,534 square feet; north wing, 12,886
square feet; east and west ranges, each 15,847 square feet__

Hxhibition space: South pavilion gallery____________________

General offices and adjoining corridor, west wing___-_-______

meg“ rOOms. Tork: Wilt oes eee eh A eee eee

Housekeeping rooms, north, wittes2is see Pel ee ee

Hour small rooms in’ south pavilion J 22) te set

Sets CCV AU nee ee

Rotal area OL: CHiTastOnyaeees ak ee ee ee ee

Attie story.
Storage of collections: East and west wings, each 15,798 square
feet; north wing, 14,021 square feet______________-_________
Gallery in south pavilion, available for exhibition purposes___
Three small rooms in south pavilions. -——-22-_ 22
Space occupied by ventilating chambers____________________
tbsR PE RereLT TENT] VAL UOT oo ne kets ee ee a Sk ee

PERC y Ee cet els Okt UTI SLUR ay eee i a cae ee a

MGtHE. APA: OF EDIT es os tee Ae ee

APPORTIONMENT OF SPACE BY SUBJECTS

North entrance:
EIST 0 p= Cae tiie ORAL MME US RS CRN oT ree pats iv Sues 28 eee A

Public exhibition space:

Anthropology: Ethnology, part of north wing and northern
sections of east and west ranges, first story, 35,474
square feet; archeology, north wing and east range, sec-
ond. story, 30,467 square, treet te oS. es oe

Biology: Mammals and birds, west wing and western sec-
tion of west range, first story, 31,764 square feet; rep-
tiles, fishes, invertebrates and special installations, west
wing and west range, second story, 32,634 square feet__

Geology: Systematic geology, eastern section of east range,
first story, 6,769 square feet; applied geology and min-
eralogy, east wing, second story, 15,927 square feet;
paleontology, east wing, first story, 24,995 square feet__

National Gallery of Art: Central part of north wing, first

123

Square feet

1, 026
2, 428

69,468
3, 875
7, 820
1, 260

333
759
2,913

45,617
4, 704
479

65, 941

64, 398

86, 357

86, 428

54, 680

468, 118

4, 972

124 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM

Public exhibition space—Continued.
Not permanently assigned: Central hall in north wing,
ground story, 7,790 square feet; four rooms at sides of
same, 4,616 square feet; main floor and all galleries in
south pavilion and rotunda, 22,327 square feet_________

Meetings and lectures:
Auditorium and lobby, south pavilion, ground story______
Two meeting rooms, north wing, ground story____________

Laboratories and storage of collections:

Ground story: Reptiles, fishes, and marine invertebrates,

WSL: TMs aE er Ua a eS Sa NT Ae I Ae
Mam ads WS bre aN OE laps Ee
Vertebrate paleontology, preparators’ workshops of geol-

oly and anthropology, east range_-____ + 2
Third story: Geology, mineralogy, invertebrate paleon-

tology, and three rooms assigned to biology, east wing__
BIG Sy WS tS yh ee We SS is AS EE
Anthropology, archeology, and unassigned space, north

Ethnology, physical anthropology, and invertebrate paleon-

OLO Sy OAS Pree TNS CE es EO ass Cee
Recent and fossil mollusks, insects, and two rooms as-

signed to anthropology, west range_______-_____________
ALEC *StOTY: “GEOLOLY, (CASE Wat Ce lie ne A ee
BIOL OR ys WV ty Wik TR ee = 22 SC ee Nd SE UN ee se
Anthropology, north) wiangsn— 22s eee see a ae

Library:

East range, ground story_______-_- ELapsSeD RO lst GL En ANN TUNNEY

General and miscellaneous offices:
General offices, with adjoining corridor, west wing, third

Buildings and labor, east range, ground story_-__---__-_~
Shipping, registration, property, and supplies, including
inner driveway, landing platform, and adjoining corri-
dors, west wing, ground story_-_--_---_________-----_-
Watch force, north pavilion, ground story____-__-----___
Telephone exchange, west range, ground story______--____-

Construction and repair:
Construction and repair shops for furniture and buildings,

CASt Wing, Sround | StORy 2 eee ee ee eee

Storage of property, supplies, and mechanical appliances:
BAstiwile? STOUNAsStORy ss es i ee a eee
Corridor on east, south, and west sides of south pavilion,

STO URINE i STO Ty 2 2 i NN ie SIRE
Vaulivunder South approach] 222 Se eee eee

Mechanical plant:

Boilers, machinery, shops, coal bunker and driveway for
delivery of coal, east wing, 15,885 square feet; ice ma-
chine and ventilating apparatus, south pavilion, 662
square feet; battery room, communicating with north
entrance lobby, 142 square feet; all in ground story__--

Space occupied by ventilating chambers, attic story__-____

Square feet

34, 733

16, 354
8, 534

12, 886
15, S47
15, 847

15, 798
15, 798

14, 021

16, 689

220, 027

8, 274

158, 989
3, 917

7171

18, 951

NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING

125

Square feet

Comfort, toilet, and locker rooms:
Re OUIEI GCA TEC RELIC SO TLG age eee a ed mere Pgh Ne
Housekeeping rooms:
Two rooms in ground story and two in third story, besides several
others temporarily assigned, the area of which is not included
1 ELEY el A SSRI RS 8. MARIE AES ZS Fs ed NR oly Nid I S93 Sea Ope ee GR er ent RAT
Unassigned rooms:
A number of small rooms on the south side of the south pavilion
and in the north pavilion not definitely assigned but used for
SUL OUS'* [VUITIOSCS E ae serene cies SBS SNe See em Ne dN Nero ie
Stairs, elevators, and elevator machinery:
Space occupied by stair wells, elevator shafts, and elevator machin-
OEY (IT Bl STOMICS eet ee eee SN ee SO a eA

PUN eR UNE CPE ORD ULNAR Th aes oh ed Ee I SERS Deer rah es

5, 388

3,177

12, 206

468, 118

F

~

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 80 PL. 25

NORTH ENTRANCE

WEST RANGE ie eee by
ZZ EAST RANGE
4 : 2 3 = wa — ——— = --—~ ——_ — L—J = \

WEST COURT EAST COURT

NORTH WING

oo area |
=
i

EAST WING

PLAN OF GROUND STORY. OCCUPIED MAINLY AS FOLLOWS:

South pavilion by the auditorium; east wing by the power plant and construction and repair shops; north wing by the entrance vestibule and lobby, an exhibition hall and several
exhibition rooms; west wing by laboratories, a storage compartment for alcoholic specimens, and the property and shipping offices; east range by laboratories, the library and

office of builaings aad labor; and west range by the division of mammais for laboratories and storage.

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 80 PL. 26

NORTH PAVILION

WEST RANGE EAST RANGE

— —

WEST COURT

NORTH WING

EAST COURT

SOUTH PAVILION
AND

LY} | . ROTUNDA

°°
,
ify
Wf
== hae y
,,
oe ea
—

e % 4
% «. 2 e 4 AS |
“4 <4
i) {I
"WEST WING ee EAST WING

@eeese @e

He =

(ee ac. \\

ES]

PLAN OF First STorRy.

Entirely used for exhibition purposes.

VAS HTUOR .

has Pre ten a a ;

be ‘, nf vr Dt i ‘
F 7 ‘ at Te a Oe
EA Tue ae rola ES i ae By

oon

ai =
—

—____—

% YNOMIW. T2A3

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 80 PL. 27

NORTH PAVILION

WEST RANGE

EAST RANGE

— — ——

heel

a
[aE ee eee

WEST COURT EAST COURT

WEST WING EAST WING

stunts 30 100 SOUTH PAVILION

PLAN OF SECOND STORY.

Entirely used for exhibition purposes.

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 80 PL. 28
NORTH PAVILION.

WEST RANGE

EAST RANGE

WEST COURT

NORTH WING

EAST COURT

=

EAST WING

pang. ye 100 SOUTH PAVILION

PLAN OF THIRD SToRY.

Entirely used for laboratories and the storage of collections, except a part of the west wing used for business offices.

i

GESTS SHA

#
49
by
E
a
:
nee
}
i

ae es 8 anes Oe,

easy WMiw. Teaw

o4

4 OHH T Ao “Asa 5 | :
| | 2H odtoedton to operate aut ee vonitat

t
Hl;

AN

E bee’

ie)

‘ 3 = acer,

ste tenon Meijer tas ce 5 at ee

i ares

¥

Sopa tee ANE “aaa eS
4758

api ‘
~ Ce pte eed eh

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
BULLETIN 80 PL. 29

NORTH PAVILION

Ae RANGE Poor nook EAST RANG

e)
z
r| >

: = 1
te

WEST COURT 2 EAST COURT
WwW
s

IM

WEST WING = EAST WING

SCALE
so

1 SOUTH PAVILION

PLAN OF ATTIC STORY.

Entirely used for the storage of collections, the north wing by the department of anthropology, the east wing by the department of geology, and the west wing by the department
of biology.

Se ree

: fy
. 9 ei eee Omar ary a?
an ,

|

aa a ee ne ee

SY comavos Teaw

4
;

,

,

LAST winemiw Traw ‘ ss

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 30

Wait
au tll cabal
a aes es os ees

SCALE
sO

i
t
H
=o
wc
aa
aa
ra)
a oe!
[—“h}
ea
Ss

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

BULLETIN 80 PL. 30

OMOU
iy < =
2 = c ease a L
= = HA E ul : Sy
enie = = =a =

== Aree oi : — =

_ T 3 : x = = a H
+ : fj—< = om = tH
Ho he == = =

= =] = — : 7) =

I a [ome
SCALE.
3 s a3 50 190.
SOUTH ELEVATION OF BUILDING.
ip Soomatasooose
— =
ei 7 F Saas
SH = = =
: : E i t ese II
SCALE
5 BS 2 5° 100

NorTH ELEVATION OF BUILDING.

roe renTe
phe hainis Sof << ——

aie dame SS SEIN

hon

ie 2

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

CT TT

ae ee er

BULLETIN 80 PL. 31

tty

ima
SS Be SSS
Ss quelenpm quel

EAST ELEVATION OF BUILDING.

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 32

SECTION OF BUILDING ON NORTH AND SOUTH Axis, LOOKING WEST.

Late Sa eee
; s

Tat

Brie ome gt

ot be a oa A rt wis tae ees ‘ ees Tose
Li We CPAs 2K TOS CKhA WTeGA BS Opel Ss AS G26

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 80 PL. 33

AL— e
BE a g
| | | =
H oO
= : Zz
= 1 il ¥
: fe)
V S
1 ae i i
= E
cc 4 a =n =
ae i SS (e}
| | (2)
Co | Uf -
C14 |i r— <
| | pea)
HL =a i
i an | tT I
1} || = =
4 \ Po ce
as LY o
cry oo 3
oc
Pa =
1‘ <
uw
=== z
i 3
we ee
FEA || E
=a a
| A
aia eae i z
ond <

ml@i

1

| a

4) (eH

cial
| cI

aj Ta ts _—

HAG OF

=
= 5s

Rrre:
woe

il

:

aE
ea

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

Th

Per

SLO LT TT
er Se. so a ae Se
iM orn

fepteren mveness yews

0 |

l
it

IE

}
=

Bill

TTT

4h

|
Pohl Eb BBE ESE ETE] HT LHe

a

oT ee ee

a

SULLETIN SO PL. 3s

U. 5, NATIONAL MUSEUM

— =
PINTS vane ~
O4969%
LSUsUas \
Sep RTS
Yas as ass || Mas 4. NS
Wi B%4 3% s25454| KOKA
Hh IA IONIAN SAS
TONAL IRON TSN
Psaaue |S asus mais",

| ioaeeeeceee:

:
Bi

a L

a ta THROUGH SOUTH PAVILION AND ROTUNDA ON East AND WEST Axis.

(SEE PAGE +4.)

Paanatim) Penne ON

we?

EY opm,

Fi 5) tr ay
TMI WRC EOS IAN

SOC ne eoepat

at o

ti

f a

»

ey abhindte “an e :
rAichsdeninceahinnaipaciineslskonhthesweietitnicewdlthasabidinpete
eae res 3
uae » ; F sata ; hip iu is BN wae
Ca COMRO RAR KO MOTOR OMA MOLINA BT ODE HOUORHT
" ; } rat Cra ee Bra ° OM nf : Me

INDEX.

Page
Alcoholic specimens, provisions for storage of...............------------- 61, 106, 107
_ Anthropological laboratories and storage of collections...........-.------ 117, 119, 124
PRIMACY Aa eer Seren BN a eral lain. wo ete mea alla dinilo'© 104
Anthropology, exhibition space for..........-.-.-------+-++--+-2+-+-- 115, 116, 123
physical, laboratory and storage of collections for..............- 117
Approaches to building:
NE SN ah Ca" ia hates tetera ah cca ierahaie wishes mo deard Wars stae Ohe 31
MRR RAISE eA Fae OL) rey Fen eS YOUR abt Ra ate via bla Geos = /aiel ee’ in pa 17, 26
Archeological laboratories and storage of collections.......-....-.-.----------- 117
SSO DAO SPACE. OF, 6.5 ss seit a smeapemre a one wig bn wid ee ease sa oie 116, 123
TRONS A TIRO WIRE fOFeece 208s COS ee edu be whole e ge sng Simmel 7
RE Pty cee nel a8 286) I OR TO Seti alai aye osaie ae ah ole 21, 40, 41
Biological laboratories and storage of collections.......-...--.--------- 117, 119, 124
SRT GMMIDINION SPACO LOF- 2...) 2 ion = ie cee a wa ate ee ese eee 115, 116, 123
Birds, division of, laboratory and storage of collections...........-.-.-.----- 117,124
Re RIGAUD LVR Super esgt hi Se Saw aiw biota ola ale Se ciwnle'gi’> eine 115
IITEPRI efoto Ae tarts « onic xloierai gin = een se-nimldeseid aiden Wine ella bona einen n= 80
Building:
Comparison of, with other museum buildings...........--...---------+--- 9, 100
Sennett ttl OL, PLOPTCsd Ole 2. odw ws tisle oe San nok nemesis adm wee win aims 13
MIRA WIAOUE Se clic Sidi tin ao nnn Sti in a emma a Sistem mie einiw she am miele SL 12
BENE RGHOU 2 EN, 8 AS ach atic aNd wot win min inl chat ce 22
MITRE MAE CLA TUL Sa Se asi irl tn ait ae Shae ree wid a alee taal ae
Mieecerpinenl Gf, PeNCTAL sue ae ee iin can ne se ie ee ees ose eee 16
Dimensions of. (See Dimensions and areas.)
Exterior walls of—
Seanelor anieveonsiriciol Glo... Sos oh). abet cn'e sine yaaa ais oem ee 22
“SUES EEE BETTE] 1g RE one gan ee ORR RR, ee 17,19
PI CMRINTERHETILG Oo. a(t cies. Bien alate we mode Clu & ot nis calle, aim apart 18
Interior of—
Permanent O60 cisco 75 oes 4 Vasa niors m ane nein e Selanne see's sa9e an 100
Description and dimensions, general............-..----------+----+- 20
WPURESER IESE Eo Siete Sie oie ocak eines beta eas tn ol simran wie aie 65, 68, 101
Floor space, apportionment of, by subjects....-......--.------------ 123
one lla Vc talifete ae ge fe eM Sng 8, cap ann oy f eeP On T e 21, 121
GINVENBIONE BIN ATONE 625k oe a woogie ee si othe alaie ama = 20, 119
EVASION OF, DY BUOTIOS Se sino cas os Soe Slats ows ni ns Skee
Miconumement SUNG OF 550 co: . son's cleats ssw ian wists 2 we nlcle cc wthis «3/05 line's 20
Partition walle character of. (i. .\0,. 0 te) o's viele a ad Selae sienim tila 60, 63
Screen walls in exhibition space.............-.---------------++-+: 62, 113
Srmictiital f6avuUnren... xaos cas ya'sa ics = ese cen te wipiadi= pereige Sinn sein g's = 19
Sai Visioni: OF 416 BLOMIES: |: . Lo sedo. 2b eee e Tha ctiew wee sais 59, 62-65, 103-118
Plans, preparation of......-.-.------------ eee e cece reece eee e tet e tenons 10, 12
Clocks:
PUMPER MT 88. Sg 8, oe wlohe Ula Oe an Aaa Siete sale 2b Asia 0 a wie 97
WabchMen’ SHEPVICE....- 0... 1 on ee se eee ce etn cence ce we weenie cance nees 96

Collections. (See National collections.)

128 INDEX

Page
Congress, action of, relative to building-.......-- 22 Joo2ee0 sess. 22 eee 11, 14
Couris of building: <2 00 5... oe. a 8 ea eee ye oe ee eat 19, 32, 103
Dimensions and areas: AS
Cubic contents of building”. 022 .Le20. 42952). 2). See eee eee 29
Exterior of building: (5.222.072 2 ee es 2 ei) 18,28
Ground area covered by building. 5:4: 222. )22.2.2205 2a PA let
Interior of building J2.2 2058 ete. ce geese Bee 20, 103-125
Apportionment of floor space by subjects...............-.----...---- a 3 ees
Available floor space, extent of... .25..2---2.---2--2. 225.2 ee 21, 1a
Division of floor space by stories.--....--2...-2222---- 08. «eae 182.
Unit of measurement....-.-------- Sole cial sie elt ca taser ye i pete 20
Dome’ of rottmdacs. <2 2022 se oee 5 bone Caos eee er 354
Doors:
Entrance. (See Entrances.)
Tnside— :
Miscellaneoris. 12 2. sggee bee os dee oe ee ne ar Veaen
Pattern and materials of.-.22)2...2252..222 000.0. 42. =. - ee Ta
South pavilion... 1/2..222 050.2 Scale OS a ye
My pieal room. i506) <0 sas te eee ee Se ee as ee 60,73
Vestibule and lobby (north entrance)..........--..--------+-e++--+- Ba
Electrical equipment:
Connections ;with other buildings..22. 0.222.222 25-502. oe eee ~ 90
Engines’and generators-..-.--2-..2 0220.0 2.222 loc on 85
Lighting fixtures: S022. 2 Sei. See She cee ee ne rr 88
Machinery, character and layout......-.- 222. 2-222. -2-2 «= 222s yi
1/0?) << PRR Coie GI AE OMENS Whe NS ESL MAR oi 90
Switchboards and distribution panels__-...-2..2.-.-.2-5-22 2 =-- see 85
Wires‘and outlets, distribution of.2.20..-5..-.---)1./---22---5 ee 86
Hlectricity, use:of. 2-50 8 et Ne ee es 84.
Blevatora. 2A Ee Se Es Or 21, 76
Pindraneds o.oo LoS eu eR a eS ee 100
Ootirties Soest os 2 Uae ee ES he ees cet ween eee 32, 72
Brerphitee 0 oe 0 ae TO ee ee 21, 2972
Pablié; north oc ha ee Si *
doors, outer grille’: 2c 56S 5002 US ee rr 56
vestibule and Jobby © ios ah2 1.2205 See ee ee ee 54, 103, 123
Owns Le ae TS ro ee 23, 25,26
gates, outer prille (it). 20 LL ko Se 50
vestibule eo 8c ee L CIEE PIS coe oe ee 50
Under south approach :2)2020.. i 22S. US Se eee 28,72
Ethnological laboratory and storage of collections.............---------------- LEZ
Ethnology, exhibition space for...--....---2.-22--21----- UR a 115,123) -
Exhibition, installations, arrangement of...--.-!2.-.---) 222 02.-42 2) ee i
Space provided fore 2 220 52S Nee ee Cee 101, 104, 113,116,123
Fire protections oo. os nebes bos Oi sees eee. ates oes a ees er uc See
FORVICE$ ooo cine seem ttn gence oes oan Cleon eee ok aeee panel eres er
Fishes, division of, laboratory and storage of collections..........-.-------- 106 108
exbibition space fom. 4:2 Jac h. Sie dekh Oe ee he
Floors, finished, character om . 22.22 32.52 222. 5 Se Seon ee ae
Foundations of building. .--..-- Bay ACs ASD AS De eines ct
Furniture, character, and materials used in construction of..........-.------

Gas, use Obs. 6. 8 oe Sons ec ES ee i

INDEX 129

Page
Geological laboratories and storage of collections. ...................-- 117, 119, 124
Ree Scher 5 5a waren «Ae e Tae ec oleae 4 ow ang SO is Colao ce ca Ue 104
Geology, exhibition space for............. La et py Mee TU foe Gop AAP ee ' 115, 116, 123
Heating of building:
Deere PeRINOr IONS il TACIBUNE. 2 onan ut prin wins oq ee ce ueiednne once 83
REMC IEDC Le ie eta es Lis ds has Mai ors 2 es AS be digs Se Seiden’ ms 82
(See also Steam plant.)
History, American, provision for collection of. ...........2-....2....2-.2222- 7
REE LENE TOI eters go ke UES PMs yar) Mid na ee ok lew nse nieeewae 78, 125
IN et ities ee Ree ey eG L Ee Sb bccn aee steno teiy Steve m wb Sco ve 98
Bert Collections, provimionrior: = 2.) 2 2c oo. ke uk oe ews stews ee 7
Insects, division of, laboratory and storage of collections....................-- 117
INBRED EA JEM ee SI ed der nae Dele paki y a ainiais ds 101, 104, 106, 117, 124
(See also under various subjects of collections. ) k
RRR aa tte Tea Tet Moe ia al ETS nag olan See erased sad aegeae s 78
Lectures and meetings: Z
Sma CA EAC A MMMONL. COS. 32 O95 Stok = Sal Sd Se Selo ae sales We Lees a pele 122, 124
ITER PERE MDI arr eects re REL yer SI eae ls1S Bole ee Wibta lath ea hd diode takin vie. 21, 40, 41
SUSE Re UE Tee ET ag 105
EIT SIRYS ST aT [8] 75 Sea ee a SP 103, 124
INS PORSCIENG TUBB APN foula's wed o Wiaba'y, oer wad Line around nie nS ein Sloe 88
dr alcoholic. appelitiom PagMm!. 6200.26 22 teehee Sill. e aciae 111
GRMN as a et yl eh a ec iE hl wl eta wl 90
STipUN Rea ENUM ee al hah oe TRU) a nae rm ie hc ety ate 43
STEEPED 85/225) en oe ote tle, wera is aithalelal a ohare 89
CML Tra ts 1 Wicd IE ISB ARAL NU app ES [TN yA MNS AQ (OO 89
Rreelea pit tale: 28s ui at te AL Le bathe et aes ae enN 89
TLE Gay GIS CUO TAIT CE oe 2 Vaart, ciate copa Ueno Oke iele Bhs pate 87
PUT ULEUINSSS (2) C1 Cn AUR et a BEC or PC EARS emer Fudge ST 90
LT "Fes Nag SSS A RTM be be ae Ul rer Re eh te eg agen 101, 112, 114, 117
(See also Windows, Skylights, and Lights, borrowed.)
DMT RTOW CH. ANG. (EATIAOINE, 60s oo ce oie SL Lhe hee ce ddd steaks 62, 64, 74
BER ia Tee AS SGECEMICY. Cah yt Sh tees OSC Si. Ble wed MS ats Ss a ei el gt 52
PRR St cL) I Dee nea I en Sa AL SUAS kc 8 Been 57, 59
SCTE C1 ESS IS ae eon ae poe geneel eA ds eR A URS OF eR RYE 15
Mammals, division of, laboratory and storage of collections................. 104, 124
POE LTUITE TTA} O02) 6238 70 Seg eb pe Ane oman Den Ales yA EA ASRS er aS IR NE SP 115
Marine invertebrates, division of, laboratory and storage of collections. ...-- 106, 108
SUMC TRU tgs Osh ep eat ie Ae io eS anita i ty s ee t 21
MEMCRIERIOO USS 2 Saks oli se Bois tea eaepae a ne CRIN A ia Sola ees coe 124
(See also Steam plant and Electrical equipment.)
Minerals and gems, exhibition space for. .......---..2.22..2-0ee eee eee ences 116
Mollusks, division of, laboratory and storage of collections.................. 108, 117
National collections:
PEM GIREN, GCOINPNPU NNN tay. Gres fod Act ns ae esas Sn ala ew hte Sees 7
eon Lot. CMpta ANG, STOWE 2 arts ens oe wheres oa wea oe be oe 7
Condition of, leading to necessity for third building..............-...... 8
Custodianship in Smithsonian Institution..............-..-.------------ ri
Natural history branches most prominent... .-.. 2...2.2.---02+.02--2-400- 9
RSP NATO oo. a eo)es Mba te we Ao, a eh oc Oda 62, 113, 123
National Museum:
TE se I Re ae a aS Mee UE A Ia oa MRP Ae ee Fs
Relations to Government scientific and economic work.........---.--- oan 9

80120°—Bull. 80—13——9

130 INDEX

Offices: Page
Buildings and labor... 56.222 225kte Ue i ee ale 103
Generales kee ee eel UN IN ee oo te eran ete ate a 117
Property and supplies./-/)0)0 fos 02 SiON 2 ee ecco ie Bie are 106
Registration and shipping. ..:: 0.002.222. yc 3522 see cee 106
Space occupied; Dy-co eo ocsine mn eicinwin « -j¢ 2 cae Oe aie et 124

Osteological collection, exhibition space for.............-.-.----------------- 116

Paleontological laboratories and storage of collections.......--..--.----.-...-- 104, 117

Paleontology, exhibition space for. ...-22 222-222 02202: (ace: ee 115, 123

Pavilion, north 222 ejects til il aaa A 18

outer walls, character and construction of. .....-.---.....-.-- 31
(0) VF | ee nae Nee REN Le UR HO a A Ae ee AES Dit CM oe 17
exterior features and construction..........-.--.-------..-.-- 23
interior above ground story ---.-.. 2.22 -))-.22 0 =e 44,111
interior of ground story --2225. 522222262. ee er 40

(See also Entrances.)
Picture gallery. (See National Gallery of Art.)
Plants, division of (National Herbarium), provided for in Smithsonian building. 15

Portico hose bP lG eS NN AS ie BN BN ON 17, 24
Ranoes See Se sb e a bia siccn op efey alata Ac Peo eat ene nt ee te ene tat el ee 18
Tnterior structural features. ....52. 222005 52-ce Ses te ee 33
Outer walls, character and construction of...........-...2.2s.-25.-2ceuae 28
Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, action by Board of....-..-.-.-..-... 12
Reptiles and batrachians, division of, laboratory and storage of collections.. 106, 108
exhibition space for... 2.42.) 2.02022 20 116
Rootsen sO sae se es os 23 SEA ee Buin LE a eee eee eee ee 19
South spavalioms: {FY ssh oh soo cca eile de oe eevee eel er 51
Wangs ‘and ramoes. oie oo) ih 2 5) a ate oie os Saipan eet ele 36
Rotana 2 oaks ao Ce 2h ik ae as ie Sed ols Me Reelin ee 17
Domes Olan teu sales is sath eats ay oes ate oI) ener eee ee 52
Exterior features and construction.-.... 2... <.-25--+- = 4-23} =-- eee 24
Interior features’and construction 2. .0. 225). 4.¢/3- 2-2-2 2 eee 45,111
Sewerage system... 1-.....---. 25-22 2--¢0-0-- 2222 eens ence ee eee 100
Shops for construction.and repain.:!.--..2!.+-1-.22-54-=-=22e)ee eee 105, 124
Skylights:
Rotutds, dome ea eee ee BBY hy
Wt ae le i a ONS Lol et lice Nee ee 20, Sat
Staite 22S o2iaed dina a eee ess ial mnie oar as oh miata eal hae 21, 75, 120
Steam plant:
Botlergand miginss 31) 30. 6. Wel pees eee eae hee er 80
Coal, kind used and method of handling...........--------------2+20suee 81
Connections with other buildings!) J.0- 22.005 220.2 oe ee eee eee 84
Machinery, character and layout of... ......-2-2.4.- 2-2 3:00 22 5 Ree 79°
Telephone servicen.2 24225 ey jee eS oe ee ee 97, 104
Motlet! TOOMBS). 5 sods se eS UO ele ere tse o mele eae oln al nin ee 77, 105, 125
Tunnels for distribution of pipes and wires..........-..---------------------- 78
Vacuum cleaning plant: 22-22-2054 -son 22 (sae 221s ee lle be 98
Vault under south approach, for'storage. JJ... 524/522 (slow eee eee 28; 10a
Ventilation: ay
Alcoholic specimen room: )...22522/ #722 ee ee eee 94,108
Attic plony i202 0 se0 me acdsee eee eee core eee ae oe Lise
Amid sors se oe eS eee ke Seek Ae nn ieee ee 41, 43,93
Engine and boiler rooms,¢ 2.5. sc2.ce0 2-2: cued eee ed cee - 95

General system......---- note e teen eee eee e eee tere eee reece tees 90

: Drinki ;
eg i

Connections and Se Git A EO eee 99

Let basa Site inte et aie tiara ae eH pinnate pu wtaeinve, otal "17

O

ray A

ITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRA’

il
88

088 01421

SM
Ll
39

1

2