Building the dome, probably 1910. Workmen built this 

 wooden floor and then erected scaffolding to construct the 

 inner dome. The inner and outer domes rest on brick piers 



with space between them. "Flying buttresses" of tile tie the 

 two structures together. 



mounted in honor of President Wilson's inauguration: 

 "Much space is devoted to aeronautics and aviation. 

 This is enclosed in a large case, beginning with the early 

 experiments of Langley, and his steam flying machine 

 up to the Wrights, Curtiss, and others. A full-size copy 

 of Langley's experimental steam flying machine is dis- 

 played."^ Although Langley's machine had been on dis- 

 play in the Arts and Industries Building, many more 

 people were made aware of it by this exhibit. 



The first phase of foyer exhibits ended with the clos- 

 ing of the building in 1918. After World War I much 

 of the foyer, particularly on the east side, was devoted 

 to the War Collection. As one case of uniforms was 

 being installed, the Marine lieutenant supervising the 

 work for some reason wanted the glass removed after 

 it had been put on the case. The contractor warned 

 that it might break in the process. The lieutenant in- 

 sisted, and after the glass broke, berated the contractor 

 and ordered him to pay for it. An elderly gentleman 

 stepped up, explained that he had seen and heard the 



whole thing, introduced himself as Charles D. Walcott, 

 and offered to talk to the Marine Commandant as to 

 who was to pay for the glass. The contractor, who later 

 joined the staff and worked his way up to assistant 

 buildings manager, was forever grateful to Secretary 

 Walcott. 



War Portraits Collection 



It is important to mention again the War Portraits Col- 

 lection, which "comprised 21 canvases by American ar- 

 tists, portraits of distinguished leaders of America and 

 of the Allied Nations during the World War, and is to 

 form the nucleus for a National Portrait Gallery."- They 

 were shown for three weeks in May 1921 in Hall 10 

 and then were circulated to a few other cities. After 

 their return, some hung for almost a decade in the 

 foyer. 



After the War Collection left it in 1930, anywhere 

 from twelve to sixteen shows a year were held in the 

 foyer. Space was allocated by the building superin- 



Public Places 



181 



