226 KEPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



Tlie firoproofino- was intrusted to Messrs. Cluss & Schulze, archi- 

 tcets, from whoso report the following- account of the work is taken. 



The reconstruction extended over the curtain l)et\veen the main l)nil(hn.<; and the 

 west wing, a ])uil(Hn<!: of GO feet in length and 54 feet in width, with an adjoining 

 turret containing stairs. It contains a basement where alcoliolic specimens are 

 kept. 



The main story is mostly occupied by an exhil)ition hall, extending up into the 

 roof, with a clerestory. Along the north front was originally an open cloister, 

 which had been for many years temporarily fitted up by framework for offices. 



Permanent provision was made for these purposes, and a mezzanine story formed 

 liy the insertion of a fireproof upper floor. 



Besides the old, rotten, cond)ustible floors and roofs, a complicated system of 

 decorative hollow columns and vaults, framed of wooden scantlings, boards, and 

 lathed plastering, had to be carefully removed, so as not to injure the outside walls, 

 consisting of a thin cut-stone facing, backed by ordinary rul^blework. 



In the reconstruction the Romanesque general character of the building was pre- 

 served with the greatest simplicity compatible with the surroundings, and also made 

 a necessity by the limited appropriation in conjunction with the increased cost of 

 decorations in the fireproof materials. 



The fact that the west wing and the central part of the Smithsonian 

 ])uilding had never been made entirel}^ fireproof was communicated to 

 the Regents by Secretary Langley in his report for 1888, in which 

 attention was also called to the proximity of much inflammable mate- 

 rial. He likewise explained that for certain reasons the fireprooting 

 of the west wing was the luore urgent. References to this subject were 

 again made in the Secretary's reports for 1889 and 1890, and the 

 importance was urged of gaining additional light in the center of the 

 main building b}^ the construction of a skylight in the roof and a well- 

 hole through the second floor. 



As these parts of the building were used for the National Museum, 

 an appropriation for the proposed changes was asked of Congress, 

 beginning in May, 1888, Senator Morrill, a Regent of the Institution, 

 pressing the matter with his customary energy. The first bills, relat- 

 ing mainly to the west wing, were passed by the Senate twice during 

 the Fiftieth Congress (ending March -l, 1889), but failed of action in 

 the House. 



The question was again brought up in the Fifty-first Congress (1889- 

 1891), originating in the Senate, and was discussed in several forms. 

 The most comprehensive measure and the one carrying the largest 

 appropriation was Senate bill No. 2033, reported on January 27, 1890, 

 by Senator Morrill. Its wording was as follows: 



That, for the purpose of fireproofing the roof of the main hall, and that of the 

 so-called chapel in the west wing of the Smithsonian building, and to put in a sky- 

 light and a wellhole to admit light into the central portion of the lower hall of said 

 building, and also to replace some woodwork of the towers, and other repairs, said 

 work to be done under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol with the approval 

 of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, flic sinn of $45,000 shall be, and 



