Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-10-19
THE CORCORAN ART BUILDING.
FINISHING TOUCHES.
The LARGEST AND FINEST PICTURE
GALLERY IN AMERICA,
A Full Descriptien Of the Buildin
WORKS OF ART READY TO BE
PLACED THEREIN.
Mr.. Corccrsn's Private Collection D,rated to
the Gallery.
INTERESTING PARTICULARS Etc


of George Peabody, his intimate friend, will go
down TO posterity honored and reyered. Time
has dealt tenderly with him, and though his
hairs have long since been white he still enjoys
excellent health and presents q robust appear
ance, doubtless reaping as much pleasure in
distributing his wealth as he did in acquiring IT,
The princely contributions OF wealthy Amsri-
cans to all objects worthy of national or indi-
viduai sympathy have always excited the won
der of foreigners. History presents compare
lively few bright examples of men charitable
at all times, but among this few the name OF
Mr.. COrcoran ever will be conspicuous. HIS
declining years are rendered happy not in the
contemplation OF his gains, but in the judic cious
distribution OF his fortune. His munitcent ben
efactions to this community, not the result of
any spasmodic determination, have long en-
deared him TO our people. 1t would require too
much space to enumerate his many acts of PHI
lanthrOpy. Years ago, before Mr.. Peabody had
acquired his great wealth, he wrote to friend:
charity OF Mr.. Corcoran At home: but one Of
these days mean to come out, and then, IL my
feelings regarding money don't change, and l
have fortune. shall become Q strong cOmpeti-
tor Of his in beDevolence."
THE CoRCORAN ART BuILpING,
at the corner Of 18th street and Pennsylvania
avenue, erected and endowed by the generosity
Of Mr. CorcOran is q conspicuous illustration Of
his zeal in cultivating a love for the beautiful
ard contributing to the pleasure of his fellow
man. The building was commenced n 1859 and
Toofed In the Following year, about the time Of
the breaking out of the rebellion. Up to that
time about s120 600 had been expended upon the
building. exclusive Of the cost OF the ground
and but little progress had been made towards
finishing the interior, when it was taken posses
sion Of by the War Department for military
purposes. For eight years the government oc-
order was given to surrender ali buildings not
absolutely necessary for the public service and
accordingly, the Corcoran Art Building vas
vacated. The Office Of the Quar- artermaster Cen
eral, then located therein. was removed 10 the
old Internal Revenue OfHce, at the corner of
18th and F streets, and Mr.. C0rcOran placed in
possession.
THE TRUSTEES AND THE TRUST.
On the 10th of May, 1860, Mr.. Corcoran exc
cuted deed Of trust to James NJ. Carlisle, Jas.
g. Hall, Geo. W. Riggs, Anthony Hyde, JAS. q.
Berret, JAS. c. Kennedy, Henry ID. Cooke. and
JAS. e. Mcclure, Of this city, and VIM. T. Wal
tiers, Of Baltimore, the provisions OF which deed
were
LIST. Tha, they should organize into a perma.
nent board Of trustees, elect officers, establish
bylaws, &c.
I'd That the board should always be kent
full, and composed of nine members.
Sd. That the property At the corner OF II Jth
street and PennsylvxDia avenue known as the
AT Art Bullding, - should be devoted exclusively to
4th. Requiring the trustees to hold the pro-
pcTty for the perpetual establishment and M ain
tenance OF public gallery for the promotion
and encouragement of the arts of painting aud
sculpture and the fine arts generally, and that
II should be open to the public at least two days
each week without charge, and that at other
times a small charge might be made for adnis-
sion. to cover expenses.
9Th. That the trustees should employ such as
sistance as might be necessary.
9Th. That they should increase the collection
of paintings, statues and kindred works of art
ofwhich the private gallery of Mr.. Corcoran is
the nucleus, and cOniding to them the general
managene ent of the institution.
9TH. That If the property should be abandoned
or diverted from the purposes for which If is
designed it should revert to the heirs of MIR.
COrCoran-
sth. That the trustees should procure an act
OF incorporation, and transferring to the board
for the benefit Of the institution all rent due
from the government, and
9tb. ConhdinR to the hoard the system and
approIr ate m a'ures for increasing collection of
paintings, statues, &c.
The gentlemen above named accepted the
trust, and In May last Congress passed An
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
with these gentlemen named as corporators
The act which was approved on the lith of
May also authorized the Secretary of War, the
Secretary Of the Treasury, and the Secretary
of State, to ascertain and settle, upon prin-
ciFles of justice, q fair and just compensation
for the use OF the ground and buildings while
the same were occupied by the United Stat,
for the public service, and appropriated the
necessary amount to pay the rent found due
The act also remitted any tax claimed or due to
the United States by reason of the transfer of
tie property, or the execution OF the deed
above cited, and exempted from all taxes or
assessments by the municipal or United States
authorities the buildings and grounds. together
with all the works OF art contained therein.
TIE BUILDING
is of French renaissGnee style Of architecture
two gIa and stories high, surmOunted with Man
sard roof, and dome over the principa entrance.
IL is OF pressed brick with richly carved brown
stone tri INNINGS, and inches or alcoves at suit
able points for statuary. 1t has front OF 100
feet on Pennsylvania avenue and 115 feet on
18th street, and is 60 feet high from the gro ound
to the cOrnice al the base OF the roof. 1t is of
tre-proof construction throughout, the floor
being laid on brick arches and iron girders.
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TOOK POSSESSION
Of the building it had Just been rooted in. A
force of 30 wOrkmen was put TO work immsdi-
stely by the Quarterm aster General, and the
building temporarily fitted up for occupancy.
INCHES filled up, windows cut, &c, materially
altering
THE ORIGINAL DESIGN,
which WAS executed BY Renwick, OF New York.
It has now been restored, and as far as possible
the recent improvements have been made in
accordance with that design. The niches iva
been reopened, windows closed, sc.
COST OF PUTTING 1T IN oRDlR.
The building having been surrendered by the
government, in February last, Mr.. Corcoran
made the necessary arrangements for putting
the structure in complete order, and fitting IL M
in accordance with the original design, prepara-
tory to turning it over completed to the board
OF trustees, and since that time carpenters,
plasterers, painters, and other mechanics haye
been busily, EMPLOYED. New floors have been
laid throughout, every room and hall has boen
replasteIed, new tiling laid, new doors hr1ne.
and wood and iron work repaintsd. In short,
the whole intefier of tie building Is new These
Improvements have a.Il been made by M. DIR
coran, who has thus far expended over 500 boo
in the refittal OF the edifce.
THE INTERIOR
presents An attractive appearance, and by the
cloee Of the present week it 10 expected that
the work willbe completed, with the exception
of some painting and tinting, and the frescoing
OF the walls Of tho main gallery. An artist
will arrive here shortly from New York to cdm-
mence that branch 6f the work, and In the
course or two or three weeks the building Vih
be ready for occupancy. Il
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