106 REPORT OF THE ARCHITECT. 



anchored and leaded, in the most substantial manner. Immediately following 

 this work the frames and sash of these windows were made and inserted, strictly 

 in keeping with the general style of the building. 



The ceiling of the museum in lower story being now beyond accident, it was 

 repaired, and received, with the side walls and intermediate archings, a plain 

 frescoing. The towers and buiklings, north and south of the main building, were 

 being roofed in at the close of last year's report. In the early part of the season 

 the brick arches for the fire-proof floors were turned, concreted, and tlie j9oors 

 laid. During the summer they have all been finished ready for occupancy. 

 The caiTiageway leading to the northern main entrance has been paved, mainly 

 with flagging on hand, the unsightly ceiling repaired and appropriately decorated, 

 the roof has been put in order and tlie unstable battlements securely fastened. 



The northern main entrance door leads to the vestibule, which has an orna- 

 mental tiled floor of alternate colors; is finished octagonally, four sides being 

 occupied by niches designed for receiving statuary ; it has a marble case, and is 

 finished in oak and frescoed in complementary colors. 



Tlie vestibule is flanked to the east by the janitor's room, which is floored with 

 German tile, and to the west by the reception room, which is finished in imita- 

 tion of walnut and has a floor of encaustic tiles. The three stories above the 

 vestibule and adjoining rooms are fitted up for tiers of three communicating ofH- 

 ces, each tier forming a compartment, secured by fire-proof iron doors, consisting 

 of two layers of sheet-iron, with intermediate frame and air-space. Wooden 

 flooring on top of the fire-proof arches lias been preferred for otiice purposes. 

 The higher stories of the towers form rooms of a miscellaneous character, are 

 approached by iron stairs and floored with pressed bricks on tlie concrete. Tlie 

 main stairs and stairway have been finished with tiled floors and landings, 

 plastered and frescoed. 



South of the main building a hoist has been introduced, extending from the 

 basement up to the fourth story. Private stairs cut to shape from old stone on 

 hand reach up to the same height, and iron stairs, similar to those in north 

 towers, lead up to the higher stories. The first story contains vestibule and 

 general accommodations. The second story contains a properly fitted-up pack- 

 ing room and bath room. The third story contains the regents' room. The 

 fourth, fifth and sixth stories are finished for storerooms and miscellaneous pur- 

 poses. 



All modern and useful improvements have been introduced in the restored and 

 newly fitted rooms. In the introduction of Potomac water provisions have l)een 

 made for fire})lugs of sufficient size in the different stories, nortli and south of 

 the main l)uilding, and the water can be shut ofi' from any one section without 

 incommoding the rest of the buildings. The same provision is made for the 

 gaslight arrangements. Speaking tubes lead in all directions, tending to facifi- 

 tate the transaction of business. 



No funds l>eing at disposal to introduce a contem|)lated modern and improved 

 heating apparatus for the whole of the buildings, one of the functions of which 

 would have been to perfect the satisfactory worlving of the new gutters by means 

 of exhaust pipes at and around the inlets to the down-spouts, stoves were set in 

 the fall of the year which will heat the offices and other newly created rooms 

 for any length of time that may be found necessary. 



The roof and gutters of the east wing were found to be totally out of repair 

 and so arranged as to be difficult of remodelling. The slate roof had to be 

 taken up and relaid, the gutters were overhauled, renewed and soldered. Other 

 necessary repairs and alterations of a minor nature, demanded by the exigency 

 of the case, were attended to. 



The areas of casemate doors and windows around the main buildings were all 

 out of repair. Their cappings were broken and laid so low that the surface water 

 of the surrounding grounds backed into the basement. They were put in order 



