REPORTS OP THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 709 



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

 menced by Mr. Gilbert Cameron, the original contractor, under the direction of 

 Captain 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 adapta- 

 tion 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 base- 

 ment 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 pur- 

 poses 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 extending across the building between them. This 

 story may be used for a library or a museum, or for both, as die wants of the Insti- 

 tution 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 from adaptation to its purposes. 



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

 is of wood, which, resting on the arches beneath, without space between to contain 

 air, is considered sufficiently fire-proof, and not subject to dampness from the varia- 

 tion 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 the personal 

 effects of James Smithson. The lecture room, the optical and acoustic properties of 

 which are probably unsurpassed by any apartment intended for the same purpose in 

 the United States, occupies one-half of the upper story of the main building, besides 

 a portion of the front and rear towers ; its precise length is 96 feet, and extreme 

 width 62 feet. It will comfortably seat 1,500 persons, and, when crowded, will con- 

 tain upwards of 2,000. The apartments on each side of the lecture room, besides 

 being fitted up with cases for books, specimens, or apparatus, can be used for meet- 

 ings of associations, while large assemblies for public discussions can be accommo- 

 dated in the lecture room. 



The whole arrangement of the upper part of the building is made with a view to 

 aflbrd facilities for meetings of large associations which have for their object the 

 promotion, diffusion, or application of knowledge. If at any time the space now 

 occupied by the lecture room should be required for other purposes, the seats and 

 gallery may be removed and the partition walls which are unconnected with the 

 roof may be taken down and the whole upper story converted into one large hall. 

 Besides the main building just finished, the whole edifice consists of two wings, two 

 connecting ranges, and a front and rear projection at the middle on which towers 

 are erected. 



The whole amount paid on account of the building, the grounds, and furniture is 

 $2*99,414.14. The amount paid during the past year is $55,021.14, of which $13,000 

 is on the work previously done under the direction of the former architect. In order 

 to secure the faithful performance of the work, fifteen per cent, has been withheld 

 from the monthly payments until the whole should be finished. The sum which, 

 on this account, is still due to the contractor, has not yet definitely been ascertained. 

 According to an addendum to the original contract, the llegents were at liberty to 

 make any changes in the building or in the time of its completion which they might 

 deem necessary, and the contractor should receive pro rata, according to the prices 

 agreed upon, for work so executed, and reasonable compensation for damages which 

 might be sustained. 



The following; letter from the architect will {rive additional information : 



