NATIONAL MTTSET^M BUTLDTNGS. 295 



the public exhi))ition ('(illections and the baseiiiciit and n]>iicr floor for the reserve 

 or record collections, workrooms, ofliccs, and otliei- general ami miscellaneous pur- 

 poses. This is an approximately equal division of the space between the public 

 halls and the other requirements of the Museum. The plan shows entire simplicity 

 of design, and has been drawn with reference to the use of brick and terra cotta in 

 the construction of the outer faces, although stone could lie substituti'd ior these 

 materials if so ordered. 



The interior arrangement al)ove the basement is a cond)ination of large and small 

 halls, the three largest halls l)eing lighted from above and having two series of gal- 

 leries of sufficient width to permit of their being screened off and made into series of 

 separate rooms for exhibition and other purposes. This arrangement has been 

 adopted as practically furnishing the largest possible amount of well-lighted floor 

 space in a building of the size ])ro[)(ised, and as presenting many other important 

 advantages. It is felt that a building i)ut up on these lines would in many, if not in 

 all, respects prove sui)erior for museum purposes to those of any existing museums, 

 either at home or abroad. 



The cost of erecting a building in accordance with the plan submitted in a most 

 simple though substantial manner has been estimated at about $3,000,000. The 

 plan has been so designed, however, that approximately one-half the building can 

 be constructed separately, with practically the appearance of a completed building 

 and suited to the different kinds of museum requirements. This half would consist 

 of the main or south wing and the middle wing, as represented in a separate draw- 

 ing. While this part would not provide for future growth, it would relieve the 

 l^resent congested condition of the ^Museum, make outside storage unnecessary, and 

 render possible a safe disposition and essentially t-onvenient arrangement of the 

 present collections. 



This half section of the building as planned could be erected for $1,500,000. 



At the hearing'' before the House Committee on Appropriations, on 

 Januar3' 23, 1903, the question of legislation for the new building- was 

 thoroughly discussed. It was not douT)ted that half the building could 

 be erected within the limit of $1,500,000 fixed hy the act of the previ- 

 ous ,year, and the entire building for not exceeding $3,000,000, ])ut in 

 either case the fronts would require to be constructed of brick and 

 terra cotta. There was no objection to the use of these materials on 

 the score of durability, but in view of the lavge size of the building, 

 its conspicuous position, and the fact that it would be expected to rank 

 among the prominent pu})lic structures at the capital, it was urged 

 upon the connnittee that stone fronts would produce a more dignified 

 effect, and that the change in this respect would not add extravagantly 

 to the cost of the building. Estimates showed, in fact, that if stone 

 were employed the entire building could be erected within the sum of 

 $3,500,000, and one-half tlu; building within $1,()25,000. 



The matter was not reported to the House in any form, ))iit in tlu^ 

 Senate the granting of the full siun was favorably considered, and the 

 bill as there passed was finally agreed to in conference as an item in 

 the sundry civil act for the year ending June 30, lOO-l. It is as follows: 



I'>iiilding for National .Museum: To enable the Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion to commence the erection of a suitable fireproof building with granite fronts, for 

 the use of the National Museum, to be erected on tlie north side of the ^hdl, between 



