THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 73 



EErORT or THE EUILDING COMMITTEE. 



TliG Building Committee of the Smithsonian Institution present the 

 following report of their operations and expenditures during the year 

 1855 : 



It was stated in the last report that the main or centre building 

 was nearly finished on the 1st of January, 1855. Since lhen_ the 

 whole edifice has been completed, and the final report of the architect 

 approved by the committee. After the construction of the new lecture- 

 room, the east wing of the building was entirely unoccupied. It con- 

 sisted of a single room 15 feet long, 45 feet wide, and about SOfeet 

 high. This has been divided into two stories, the lower one princi- 

 pally consisting of a large room at present used for the reception and 

 distribution of all the articles of exchange, and also a depository of 

 the extra copies of the publications of the Institution. The upper 

 story is occupied by a suite of rooms for the accommodation of the 

 Secretary, in accordance with the original intention of the Board, as 

 expressed in their resolution fixing the compensation of that officer. 

 The fitting up of this Aving was made under a separate^ contract with 

 Mr. Wra. Choppin, and the whole completed to the satisfaction of the 

 architect for $3,500. This sum includes both the finishing of the 

 large room below and the apartments of the Secretary above. _ 



The grounds around the building have been kept in repair under 

 the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, and it is hoped that an 

 appropriation by Congress will enable this officer to complete the de- 

 sign of Mr. Downing for the general improvement of the mall, and 

 the supply of specimens of our native forest-trees which may be used 

 for ornamental purposes. 



The whole amount paid on account of the building during the last 

 year, including furniture and fixtures and grounds, is |] 9,312 87, 

 which added to the sum previously paid for the same objects as stated 

 in the last report, ($299,414 14,) will make |318,727 01. Of this 

 Bum $308,184 49 are for the building and grounds ; and if to this we 

 add $4,569 10 due the contractor, and about $1,000 due on gas-fitting, 

 fixtures, &c., the whole amount expended on building and grounds, 

 exclusive of furniture, will be $313,753 59. The whole cost of the 

 building was at one time limited to $250,000 ; but this limitation was 

 made with the intention of finishing the interior of the main edifice 

 in wood and plaster. This plan was afterwards abandoned, and one 

 in which fire-proof materials were employed was substituted. 



A statement on file from Capt. Alexander gives in detail the work 

 done and the payments made thereon from the time he took charge of 

 the work until its final completion. According to this, the whole 

 amount paid for completing the interior of the main building in fire- 

 proof materials is $79,684 17. This sum is much larger than his 

 original estimate ; the cause of the difference, as stated by himself, 

 being as follows : 



