208 REPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



client, before proceeding with an account of the operations: of the year, to repeat 

 triefly the facts connected with the origin and results of the tire. 



It may be well, however, for the better information of those not acquainted with 

 the Smithsonian building, to premise in regard to it the following particulars: It 

 consists of a main edifice 200 feet long and 50 wide, with two large wings and two 

 connecting ranges, having in all an extreme length, in an east and west direction, 

 of 450 feet. In front and rear of the middle portion are projections, terminated l)y 

 high towers, two on the north and one on the south side; moreover, on each corner 

 of the middle building is a smaller tower, and also one on each of the two wings. 



The whole of the first story of the main building, in a single room, is devoted to 

 tlie museum; the upper story, in three apartments, was assigned to the lecture room, 

 the gallery of art, and the cabinet of apparatus. The west wing is entirely appro- 

 priated to the library; the east wing to the residence of the Secretary and a store- 

 room for publications and specimens of natural history. The east connecting range 

 contains the laboratory and office rooms; the west range is an extension of the 

 museum. In the large towers were the Regents' room, the offices of the Secretary, 

 storerooms, and workshop. 



Though the original jjlan was mucli admired for its architectural effect, it was 

 soon found that, in relation to the means at the disposal of the building committee, 

 it was too expensive to admit in its construction of the exclusive use of fire-proof 

 materials; hence, while the exterior was to be constructed of cut freestone, it was 

 concluded to finish the interior in wood and stucco. Fortunately, this plan, which 

 was carried out in regard to the wings, the connecting ranges, and the towers, was 

 abandoned before the completion of the main building. After the exterior of this, 

 including the roof, had been finished and the framing of the interior was in place, 

 the latter suddenly gave way and was precipitated into tlie cellar — a mass of broken 

 timber. The attention of the Regents having been called by this accident to the 

 insecurity of the woodwork, they directed that the further progress of the building 

 should be stopped until means could be accumulated for finishing the remainder of 

 the edifice in a more stable manner and with fire-proof materials. In accordance 

 with this direction, after an interval of several years, the construction was recom- 

 menced under the direction of Capt. (now Gen. ) B. S. Alexander, of the Engineer 

 Corps, and the whole of the main building, except the inside of the towers and the 

 framing of the roof, which had previously been completed, was finished in a sub- 

 stantial manner in iron and brick work. The architect advised the removal of the 

 roof, but as this would have swelled the cost of the l)uilding still further beyond the 

 estimate and the means at connnand, and as the covering was of slate, the framing 

 under it was thought to be in no danger from fire. This, however, was destined to 

 be the part on which the first attack of the element was to be made. Through a 

 mistake in some workmen, the i)ipe of a stove which had been temporarily used in 

 one of the ui)per rooms was introduced through the wall into a furring space resem- 

 l)ling a Hue, but which discharged the heated air from the combu.stion into the loft 

 immediately under the roof, instead of into the air through the true chimney. « 



^Previous to the fire the large room partly occupied by the Stanley collection of 

 Indian portraits had been fitted out with about 200 feet of cases around the walls to 

 receive the ethnological specimens in the possession of the Institution. While 

 engaged in rearranging the pictures above these cases, the workmen, with a view to 

 their own comfort, unfortunately placed the pipe of a stove in a ventilating flue 

 which opened under the roof, and thus caused the conflagration which destroyed 

 the ujjper part of the main building. Fortunately, none of the ethnological articles 

 had been placed in this room, and consequently these specimens, with those of the, 

 nuiseum and of the general collections, have been preserved. (Secretary Henry. 

 Report for 1864, p. 31. ) 



