REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



The restoration of the building has been prosecuted during the last year as 

 rapidly as the funds at the disposal of the committee and the character of the 

 work would permit. 



It will be recollected that the damage occasioned by the fire consisted princi- 

 pally in the destruction of the roof and upper story of the main building, the 

 interior of the large north and south central projections, and the towers con- 

 nected with them. 



It will be further recollected that in the reconstruction of the building, as 

 stated in the last report, the committee were governed by the following consid- 

 erations : 



1. To render the work entirely stable, both as to material and mode of con- 

 struction. 



2. To render it thoroughly fire-proof. 



3. In view of the great cost at present of material and workmanship, and 

 the means at the disposal of the committee ; to do first, such work as would be 

 necessary to preserve the stability of the several parts of the building, and pre- 

 vent injury by the weather. . 



Immediately after the fire, a temporary covering was placed over the main 

 building in such a position as not to interfere with the subsequent erection of the 

 permanent roof. To secure the northern towers, a 9-inch lining of brick was 

 laid in cement from the bottom to the top, and firmly united to the original wall. 

 In this and all the other parts of the building reconstructed, wrought-iron gird- 

 ers and brick arches were substituted for wooden beams and floors. 



The large south tower was so much injured that thirty feet of the upper por- 

 tion had to be taken down and rebuilt, the cost of which was much enhanced 

 by the necessity of recutting a large amount of new stone for the facing. This 

 tower has been divided into six stories, affording as many large rooms, the 

 lower for an extension of the museum, an upper one for the meetings of the 

 Regents, and the others for storage, &c. The offices for the accommodation of the 

 Secretary and assistants will be in the northern towers and connecting space. 



The principal access to the second story of the main building is by two large 

 iron staircases, one on either side of the northern entrance. These have been 

 completed. 



All the towers and connections with the main building have been covered with 

 substantial roofs. After much inquiry and personal investigation it was con- 

 cluded to adopt the plan for the roof of the main building of wrought-iron 

 framing, and slate covering, the latter secured in place by wire to iron purlines, 

 and pointed underneath by a coating of cement. 



A contract was made for the roof in July with the Phoenix Iron Company, of 

 Philadelphia, the proposals from which were the lowest ; but owing to unex- 



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