246 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSETTM, ]9(W. 



heating upi)ariituK throughout, for the gas and water fixtures antl the ekictrie appa- 

 ratus required for clocks in the building, for signals, alarms, etc. 



Before the building can be occupied it must of course be furnished and fitted up 

 with cases, of which, as might be expected, a large provision is required. According 

 to a calculation, the cases that will be needed, if placed end to end, will extend to a 

 distance of more than <S,000 feet, witli a total of slielving surface of al)out 75,000 scpiare 

 feet. The frontage of the cases will be over 14,000 feet, so that, allowing for the cross- 

 ing from one case to another, a journey of at least 3 miles will be recpiired even to 

 take a cursory glance at all the objects in the collection. 



The question of the best material for the cases has not been definitely settled, 

 the choice lying between iron and hard wood. In order to assist in determining this 

 question satisfactorily, arrangements have been made to obtain working plans of the 

 cases used not only in a number of museums in the United States, especially in Cam- 

 bridge, Boston, and New York, l)ut also in pyurope. The new building now being 

 erected for the collections of the British Museum is one where it is supjjosed the 

 best experience has been made use of in the plans of the cases, and arrangements 

 have been made to obtain copies of the same. The new iron cases of the national 

 museum at Dresden are also under investigation. Iron is more expensive than wood, 

 but involves less danger of decay, and there is also an especial advantage in the fact 

 that the material may be so much thinner as to increase the interior space, while the 

 objects in the cases are less obscured. Of course it must not be forgotten that the 

 National Museum is expected to discharge its functions for an indefinite period of 

 years. 



The provision of Congress directed that the new building should be placed to the 

 east of the present Smithsonian edifice, at least 50 feet from its southeastern corner. 

 The question was considered of having the interval greater than this minimum, but it 

 was found that this would involve the extension of the building beyond the boundary 

 of the Smithsonian reservation and carry it to the unassigned portion of the square. 

 Although there was nothing in the act to prevent this encroachment, yet in view of 

 the possibility that the southeastern portion of the public land between Seventli and 

 Twelfth streets would l)e required for some other purposes, jjerhaps for a Congres- 

 sional Library, it was thought best to encroach upon it as little as i>ossible. 



In addition to its answering the purpose for which it was primarily intended, it is 

 confidently believed that the new National Museum building will exercise an 

 important function in serving as a model for similar establishments elsewhere. 



Of course in a city where the cost of land is a matter of important consideration, 

 the one-story plan can not always be carried out, the usual position of story above 

 story being necessary to secure the desired space. Most colleges and universities, 

 however, have ample grounds belonging to them, the occupation of which by large 

 l)uildings is allowable. Under such circumstances the same amount of fireproof 

 space can Ije had for from two-thirds to one-half the usual cost. 



The office of member of the building connnission has been by no means a sinecure, 

 weekly meetings having been held, with scarcely an interruption, from the first 

 organization, as shown by the full reports kept of the proceedings. General Meigs, 

 as consulting engineer, until his recent departure on a tour of duty, was present at 

 every meeting and contimially aided the commission by his advice, rendered so 

 valuable by his long familiarity with building operations on a large scale and with 

 the whole question of the proper construction of contracts. He visited the grounds 

 nearly every day and closely inspected the progress of the work. To liim are also 

 due valuable suggestions on the methods of covering the roofs and on other details. 



Two sii}).seqiient reports were made b}' the building- commisyion — one 

 coverino- the yeav 1880, the other 1881. In these the progress of the 

 work and the dates of completion of important parts of the building 



