Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-29
Local anu State News.
Maine Insane Hospital.


have been made about the premises within the
last two or three years. One day last week
we visited the institution and jottcd down a
few notes for the benefit of those who are in
terested in its benefcent work, and all friends
of the unfortunate should be interested in it..
The New CHAPEL BUILDING.
1t twas not until after years of persistent
and persevering effort on the part of the
Superintendent and the Chaplain that the rep
resentatives of the people at the State House
could be made to believe that the wants of the
hospital imperatively demanded enlarged
accommodations. The room used in the hos
pltal for this purpose answered very well
while the patients numbered only about two
hundred; but when the number increased to
three hundred and even four hundred, and
more than one half of these were attentive.
listeners to divine services, the persistent de-
mands for chapel appeared reasonable and
proper, so much SO that last winter, when ap-
preparations were unpopular, and when strict
economy in all things seemed to govern leg
islative action the sum of 81, 800 was APP
PioPiiatSu " SOlHlUeuCS tue enterprise Oh
building chapel. This sum will be amply
sufficient to complete the exterior. similar
appropriation will be necessary to finish the
building. The building, which is now being
constructed, is situated G2 feet west from the
second male wing of the hospital proper.
Work was commenced on the foundation
some two months since. The brick work is
up to the roof, the gable ends will be finished
in fortnight, and the entire building COM
pleted on the outside by the middle of Octo-
Der. The contract extends to the 18th of
October for the completion of the brick work.
When completed, the structure will present
very neat and tasteful appearance. 1t i. of
the Norman style of architecture with mix
ture of other styles, from plans furnished by
Mr.. George M. Harding of Portland, to whose
superior skill and taste in his art the building
will stand as an enduring monument. The
building is 4tx7l on the ground, and two
stories high, with 4 spacious basement
Height Of first story 10 feet, of second - feet
The basement is to be cemented and used as
depository for the dead bodies of those who
may die at the hospital, where they will 6e
placed to await burial or the disposal of their
friends. Hitherto there has been no place
fit for the reception of dead bodies. The re-
mains may be taken from this room through
passage to be provided to the chapel above
for funeral services. The first ground story
will be finished into twelve dormitories for pa
tients, and provided with bath rooms supplied
with cold and A IL tbaxa
will be large and airy lighted by day with
large windows and by night with gas and
heated with steam Each room will be 1lxl7
feet. Private patients, or the help of the
hospital will be furnished with lodging accom-
modations here. A corridor 10 feet wide will
run the entire length of this story.
The chapel, in the second story, is about
44x53 feet, and will have frescoed walls The
finish is to be carried into the roof with mock
rafters, which will come into view and be fin
ished with pendants. This room will also be
lighted by gas and warmed by steam. In the
west end is the chancel for the chaplain's desk
with ante-room on each side and back of
which will be placed a large and beautiful
memorial window. A similar one will be
placed in the front end of the chapel over
the door of the main entrance, and in rear of
the orchestra and gallery for singers. The
frames for these windows, fine specimens
of carved work, are from Wyman's manufac-
tory in this city. An audience of 800 will be
accommodated with movable settees, placed
in a circular position in two sections on each
side of the main aisle, with aisles at the walls.
Should the occasion arise for a larger audi
ence they can easily be accommodated by ex-
ira seats Movable seats are adopted be-
cause the room is to be used sometimes for
other than religious purposes-such as dane
ing, lectures, charades, lyceums, &c.,-in
which case the seats can be compactly packed
into ante-rooms at each side of the main en-
trance. There will be six stained glass win
dows on each side of the room. The front
end of the building is to be surmounted with
tower for bell weighing one thousand
pounds and from this will rise graceful spire,
on the top of which will be placed cross
The top of the spre will be sc feet from the
foundation. On the west end of the building
there will be placed neat ventilator. The
slate for the roof comes from the famous Ban
gor and Piscataqus slate quarries, the best
slate that the manager of the works, DR.. Lap
ham, could find anywhere. They have plac-
ed upon some of the wings of the hospital the
best of WEIGH and other imported slate, but it
is found to be inferior to that from the quar-
ries of our own State. This Bangor and Pts
cataquis slate seems to have an elasticity
about it wanting in other slate.
THE OVERSIGHT OF THE WORK.
This mes devoved entirely upon DIR. VIM.
b. Lapham of this city, chairman of the build
ing committee of the board of Trustees, and
who has held that important position for four
years, acting of course under the scrutiny of
the Governor and Executive Council, pur-