The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-03
THE NEW BROOKLYN ORPHAN ASYLUM.


4 The new Brooklyn Orphan Asylum, which is to be
occupied in few weeks Is large, elegant and sub.
stantial building 1t has just been completed at
cost Of quarter million dollars and has accommo-
dalton for 500 boys and girls. The institution is
thirtyseven years in existence, and Is deservedly
one Of the most popular and generally acceptable
charities In our sister city. II is under the direc-
ton Of benevOlent-mnded ladies' the wives, sisters
daughters and mothers Of the most respected cti-
zens OF Brooklyn These ladies assisted In their
responsible duties by all advisory committee OF gen.
tlemen. The membership consists OF persons be-
longing to nearly every Protestant denomination
and the harmony OF their counses Is fully atested
by the undated zeal and interest manifested In pro-
noting the religious and physical welfare of the
hapess children In their charge. The old asylum,
on Cumberland street, has been found inadequate
in many respects and two years since it was deter
mined by the Board Of Managers to provide better
and larger one. The plans prepared by Mr. George
Hathone, architect, were accepted, and under his
direction the building has been brought to its pres
ent finished state.
EXTERIOR APPEARANCE
The asylum Is built In the modern Gothic style,
with three stories Including Mansard) and base
ment The entire 'front.' OF the latter is granite the
upper stories of Philadelphia brick with alter
nate arches, courses and bands of light yet low
feestone The front south elevation on Atlantic
avenue, has five dvisions-centre, two wings and
two connecting parts. The entire front Is lS5 feet
In length, and depth so feet The building stands
in the centre Of the large square acquired by the
Board of Managers, and the remaining space is as
described below to be laid out In walks drives and
beds OF shrubbery. The centre, 81 feet wide pro-
jects four feet and has large gable In 'front.' with
porch of granite. The two wings are each 80 feet
wde aa 5asy aso feet while the two
I cess. The wings are surmounted by four towers
one on each corner--iisng 80 feet above the cor
n 80 feet high, which can be seen at great distance
THE MAIN ENTRANCE
IA is reached by two flights OF granite steps ascend
"A ing eight feet from the street the windows in tho
Il French roof are Dormer, OF Gothic design, with
Il light pillows. The rear or north elevation, on Her.
ID kimer street. Is plain with tile exception OF WINGS
ia which project ten feet, and with the east and west
N fronts follow the general plan of the Asylum.
~ Though the appearance OF the building would lead
the observer to think considerable outlay has taken
III place for Ornamcn alton and enect, such Is not the
rs case. In the judgment OF the building committee
G ornamentat,on has only been used in combination
IN with good taste and utility, and in erection the
~ entire ediiice a comparatively small amount was
~ only spent for that which could In any sense be re-
~ garded solely supernuOus in the actual uses and
IN necessary preservat on OF the building.
81 THE INTERIOR.
"a The main entrance leads TIN ough two handsome
n carved doors to the main hall, II feet wide and
s hall midway Is corridor 10 feet wide and feet
I; IN length little in the Is q wide staircase,
i
RI committee room, reception rooms, work room,
a library and matrons apartments. At each end OF
81 the corridor are two large class rooms 26 feet by
81 81 feettose In the east end for the instruction OF
q girls in the west Tor boys In the upper stories OF
6 the main building are rooms for teachers, attend
"a ants, matron, wardrobes, lavatories and sewing
n rooms. These are divided by Railways and corri-
81 doris similar to those first floor and are all re-
4 markaby well lighted and ventilated. In the sec
z ond and third stories of the wings located the
81 dormaterles for boys and girls, separated by the
several rooms occupied by teachers, &C. The base
Than
d bakery and large dining han for the Children %
4 feet by " feet.
The site OF the building on Atlantic avenue be-
n tween Brooklyn and Kingston avenues, and also
81 half from the City Hail. and IL readily reached by
q the cars. The locality is healthy, open and fine
block is $50 feet BY 1856 feet ana Consists Of rtV
NJ four lots which were purchased four years since by
81 the Board OF Managers. The property at present
E owned and occupied by the Asylum, on Cumberland
III street has been sold to the homeopathic College,
III OF Brooklyn, who intend TO convert t without delay
Ia into hospital, for which, with some necessary I'M
E provements and alterations, 1t seems to be well
M adapted.
~ THE GROUNDS.
II All the work, both inside and outside, on the
~ Asylum, has been finished, and there only remains
a the erection OF suitable enclosure and the laying
a out OF the grounds On the Atlantic avenue or
q main front there is to be an iron railing OIL
4 tasteful design, with ornamental stone posts The
i approach is BY two carriage drives, ten feet
wide, through two highly ornamental wrought iron
gates rne grounds WIN be planted t WITH
appearance OF the Asylum will be exceedingly at
tractve. The rear unoccupied space Is to be laid
out in two large playgrOunds-one for boys and one
for girls. These are divided by roadway ten feet
wide, covered with gravel The fences are to be or
light wood, seven feet high, with openings OF
unique style. Grass borders five feet wide, extend
around the enclosures, and provision has been
made for the children having full scope to indulge
In open air sports ana healthy amusements.
MANAGERS
The affairs OF the A YUM are managed by oil
Board, consisting OF eighty ladies' with an advisory
committee, as before mentioned. The officers
elected last year are Mrs. j. b. Hutchinson First
Dlrectress; Mrs. IL A. Dana, Second Directress
Mrs. J. w. Mason, Treasurer; Mrs. f. T. Wood, Re-
cOrding Secretary; Mrs. J. b. Craig, Correspond
Z Ing secretary.