NATIONAL MUSEUM BUILDINGS. IVU 



The Smithsonian building occupies a central position in the reserva- 

 tion, its main entrance being on the axis of Tenth street extended. 

 The Museum building, finished in 1881, stands 50 feet to the eastward 

 of the Smithsonian ))uilding, with its front face nearly on a line with 

 the rear face of the latter. It extends back to B street south, and on 

 the east overreaches by about 65 feet the limits of the reservation. 

 There still remains at the southwest corner of the reservation, border- 

 ing on B and Twelfth streets, sufficient space for another structure of 

 smaller size than the Museum building, should it ever be considered 

 advisable to make such use of it, but otherwise all new buildings must 

 be placed outside of the reservation. 



The Army Medical Museum, erected in 1880, at the corner of B 

 and Seventh streets southwest, is the only other structure in the 

 Smithsonian park, and further extensive building operations within 

 this square must be carried to its northern side. Such action has been 

 necessary in regard to the additional large building for the National 

 Museum authorized by Congress in 1903, the center of which, like 

 that of the Smithsonian building, will be on a line with the axis of 

 Tenth street. 



As to the present condition of the park it ma}" be said that all traces 

 of the old canal and creek have long since disappeared, and fairly 

 good paths and driveways now lead to the Smithsonian and Museum 

 buildings. Unfortunately, however, no improvement can be noted in 

 regard to the trees and shrubs, which were to be made so prominent 

 a feature. None have been planted for many years, and the older 

 ones are dying out or being destroj^ed by natural causes, much injury 

 having been produced by severe storms. There has been a constant 

 trimming and cutting down, but no attempt to add or build up in this 

 direction, and the general effect is of a park lacking care and culti- 

 vation. 



THE SMITHSONIAN BUILDING. 



HISTORICAL ACCOUNT. 



In his account of the Smithsonian building and grounds, ^'^ the late 

 Dr. George Brown Goode has said: 



That the Smithsonian Institution, before it could begin active, operations, must 

 have a liome of its own, wcnild doul^tless have been regai-ded as a necessity by any 

 one considering the requirements of tlie future. Richard Rusli, liowever, ajipears to 

 have Iteen the tirst to state this idea in words, wliich lie did in a letter addressed, 

 November 6, 1838, to the Secretary of State, in response to a request of the President 

 for suggestions in regard to the proper manner of carrying out the bequest. * * * 



In bills introduced in the Senate in June and December, 1844, by the Library 

 Committee — Rufus Choate, Benjamin Tappan, and James McP. Berrien — appeared 

 the first definite characterization of the building, which was to be plain and durable, 



«The Smithsonian Institution, 1846-1896: The History of its First Half Century, 

 pp. 247 et seq. 



