REPORT OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM 

 BUILDING FOR 1881. 



Washington, D. C, January 1, 1882. 

 To General W. T. Sherman, 



Chairman National Museum Building Commission : 



Sir : We have the honor to submit a report on the completion of vari- 

 ous improvements in the National Museum Building, under the appro- 

 priations available for the purpose since January 1, 1881, the date of 

 our last report. 



To facilitate the carrying of steam to the great distances required for 

 heating the offices at the four comers of the building, the steam mains 

 were covered with thick layers of hair felt, protected by asbestos, as far 

 as the funds would permit, and a favorable result was obtained. 



The main halls were floored with white-veined, red, black, and gray 

 marble tiles, laid in chaste patterns. The marble tiling was surrounded 

 by a frieze of dark-blue Pennsylvania slate of sufficient thickness to^ 

 bridge the ducts containing the steam-pipes, wires, &c. ; and around 

 the frieze a border of parti-colored Portland cement pavement was ex- 

 tended. 



This tiling covers about half an acre, and was obtained after public 

 advertisement from the lowest bidder, Mr. E. Fritsch, of New York, who 

 completed it satisfactorily about the middle of September. 



An octagonal fountain, with sides of molded and polished granite,, 

 and floor of Portland cement, was constructed and finished in the early 

 part of August. The floor of the rotunda around the fountain was laid 

 with encaustic tile, according to our designs. 



Proposals for these tiles were invited from all the manufacturers in 

 this line in the country, as well as from the leading importers. The 

 United States Encaustic Tile Company, of Indianapolis, Ind., was 

 awarded the work as the lowest bidder, and completed it quite satis- 

 factorily about the 1st of October. It is a creditable specimen of a 

 branch of industry now being successfully introduced in the country. 



The four square halls were floored with best Georgia yellow pine,, 

 laid upon a concrete base, since this material was preferred for special; 

 reasons. 



S. Mis. 109 12 177 



