NATIONAL MUSEUM — HUILDTNGS. 253 



of each front, at the sides of the entrance, are two tall towers, and at 

 the corners are large pavilions, all of which project about 12^ feet 

 from the main walls, thus making" the extreme linear dimensions of 

 the l)uilding al)out 325 feet. The amount of ground covered is 97,786 

 square feet, or about 2i acres. 



The primary feature of the plan consists of four naves or main 

 halls, the largest in the l)uilding, which radiate in the form of a Greek 

 cross from a central rotunda to the towers above mentioned. Follow- 

 ing the outer walls and extending from the naves to the pavilions are 

 a series of eight ranges, two on each side. This arrangement leaves 

 four courts, inclosed by the naves and ranges, which are roofed over 

 and form parts of the actual building. There are, therefore, 17 halls 

 in the body of the building, all designed for exhibition purposes. 

 These halls are separated })y heavy brick walls, having numerous 

 broad arched openings reaching nearly to the ceiling. The lower part 

 of these openings both from the floor and from the galleries are tilled 

 in with cases or screens, excejit where needed as passageways. The 

 main halls open broadly into the rotunda. There is one entrance into 

 each court, and one at each end of the several ranges for the circula- 

 tion of the public. 



The central rotunda attains the greatest height. It is octagonal 

 below, with a maxinmm diameter of 65 feet, and is surmounted by a 

 16-sided polygon, 67 feet in diameter, which contains a tier of large 

 windows, and is covered with a slate roof rising to a central lantern. 

 The height is 77 feet on the side walls, and 108 feet to the top of the 

 lantern finial. The four main halls, extending from the inner walls of 

 the towers to the rotunda, are 117 feet long by 65 feet wide, their 

 height being 42 feet to the top of the side walls, and 56 feet to the 

 ridge of the roof. The courts are about 63 feet square and of the 

 same wall height as the main halls. The ranges are all a little less than 

 50 feet wide. Those on the north and south sides of the building are 

 89 feet long, and those on the east and west sides 63 feet long, the 

 lesser length of the latter being due to extensions from the adjoining 

 pavilions. They are covered with lean-to roofs, their interior height 

 being 26^ feet at the outer walls and 31 feet at the inner. 



The several divisions of the building are clearly indicated on the 

 exterior by the unequal heights of the walls and roofs. A description 

 of these features as seen when approaching the north front will answer 

 for the other sides, as all are essentially alike. In the center of the 

 north front is the main entrance, bordered In- a tall, arched frame- 

 work of Ohio sandstone. Above and back of the entrance are the face 

 and gable end of the north hall, reaching to a height of about 55 feet 

 above the ground, bearing a stone plate with the inscription "National 

 Museum, 1S79."' and surmounted by an allegorical group of statuary 

 representing Columbia as the protectress of science and industry. At 



