THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 69 



REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE, 



The building committee of the Smithsonian Institution presmits the 

 following report of their operations and expenditures during the 5'-ear 

 1854. 



It was stated in the last report that the work of completing the build- 

 ing was commenced by Mr. Gilbert Cameron, the original contractor, 

 under the direction of Capt. Alexander, of the engineer corps, on the 

 13th of June, 1853. It has been uninterruptedly prosecuted from that 

 time to the present, and the committee are now pleased to inform the 

 Board that the main or centre building is finished, with the exception 

 of a few and unimportant additions. 



It was, however, discovered, in the progress of the work, that many 

 changes and additions would be required, in the plan adopted, for the 

 better security and adaptation of the building, which would involve an 

 additional expense ; but in the present state of the Institution, and in 

 consideration of the long delay in finishing the edifice, the committee 

 thought it best to press on the work. 



The main building, which is 200 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 60 feet 

 from the basement floor to the upper ceiling, is divided into three 

 stories. The first story consists of the basement, separated into two 

 large rooms, and the space between them for the heating apparatus. 

 The two apartments are intended for store rooms and other purposes 

 connected with the mechanical operations of the Institution. 



The second story consists of one large room, 200 feet long, 50 feet 

 wide, and 25 feet high, the ceiling of which is supported by two rows 

 of columns extending the whole length ; at the middle of the space 

 corresponding to the principal entrances, are two wing walls, by which, 

 with the addition of screens, the whole space may be divided into two 

 large rooms, with a hall extendmg across the building between them. 

 This story may be used for a library or a museum, or for both, as the 

 wants of the Institution may require. It is finished in a simple but 

 chaste style, and has received general commendation. Indeed it is, 

 perhaps, in appearance, one of the most imposing rooms in this country, 

 apart firom adaptation to its purposes. 



The floor through the middle part is formed of cut stone, that of the 

 other parts is of w^ood, which, resting on the arches beneath, without 

 space between to contain air, is considered sufficiently fire-proof, and 

 not subject to dampness from the variation of temperature and humidity 

 of the atmosphere. 



The upper story is divided into three apartments without pillars, a 

 lecture room of about 100 feet in length in the middle, and two rooms, 

 each 50 feet square, on either side. These rooms are intended for 

 collections. The one on the west may be connected with the library, 

 and that on the east with the museum. The latter has been fitted up 

 with cases in which to deposit the collection of apparatus presented to 

 the Institution by Dr. Hare, the other with a separate case to contain 



