Field Columbia** Museum — Reports, Vol. i. 



an entirely new roof-drainage system, removing the ornamentation 

 on the exterior of the Building, securing in place such plaster acces- 

 sories as seemed in danger of displacement, and re-plastering and 



patching the exterior, closing the unused entrances with iron railing, 

 cleaning and repainting all of the structural iron work of tlie Building 

 and putting iron guards at all of the windows. With the exception 

 of the tinning and the plastering, the work was performed by con- 

 tract, within an appropriation of $15,000. The Building is as nearly 

 perfect in condition now, as it appears possihle to make it, and 

 while the plaster work will be a continual source of annoyance and 

 expense, yet it can be cared for with the force at the disposal of the 

 Museum unless during the coming winter there is such displacement 

 as to require additional labor. This can only be determined by the 

 results as they transpire. It is estimated that unless something 

 unforseen arises, the Building can be maintained in its present physi- 

 cal condition for five years with the regular force of the Museum, and 

 possibly the expenditure of $3,000 per annum. Improvements in the 

 steam heating plant have been extensive. An independent line of 

 steam pipe has been constructed to the East Annex that will enable 

 heat to be forced into the extreme East end of the Building, without 

 the necessity of adding to the temperature of the system of the main 

 Building, through which system steam has been heretofore conveyed 

 to the East Annex. Water and steam pipes have also been laid to 

 the new workshop; to the Division of Physical Anthropology; to 

 Photography and other parts of the Building, as the establishment of 

 new offices, laboratories and working rooms have demanded. The 

 disadvantage of having the general workshop and taxidermy rooms 

 of the Museum located in the warehouse at Fifty-Sixth street and 

 Jefferson avenue, became so apparent, that by consent of the South 

 Park Commissioners, an independent brick building accommodating 

 workshops, laboratory and taxidermic rooms, has been constructed 

 to the North of the East Main entrance of the Building. It is almost 

 concealed from view, and at the same time gives ample room for 

 work, and its proximity to the Museum itself simplifies and system- 

 atizes the work. A special vault was built for the skin vats of the 

 taxidermists; the rooms all have sky-lights, and are fire-proof. The 

 location of the carpenter shop and paint shop in this addition will 

 enable workmen to take small jobs to the shop and prevent a great deal 

 of annoyance, noise and litter created by carrying on such work in the 

 Museum, while the Curators of Zoology or Ornithology are in quick 

 communication with their taxidermists. During the past year a local 

 telephone system has been established in the Building, giving prompt 



