Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-11

Insane Hospital, in this city, designed for chap
ell, and other useful purposes, was dedicated last
evening with appropriate services. The building
has been erected under the personal supervision Of
committee of the board Of Trustees, consisting
of E. W Woodbury., e. J.. Pattsnga and John
w. Chase who are we'll satisfied with the faithful
work Of the contractors.
The architects of the edifce are F. II. Fassett
Son of Portland; contractors and master builders,
Foster s Dutton of Watervie; most of the lum-
Der, of first class quality, was furnished by J. p
Wyman Of this city, who also manufactured the
doors and sash; steam and gas piping by W. Ii.
Pencil & Co.. of Portland; water and sewerage
pipe, Williamson & Greenwood OF this city;
bricks by Levi Hicks of this city, stone work by
Frank Pierce of this city; boiler and water tank
by Whittier Machine Co., of Boston.
The building as it now stands, reckoning every
thing entering into its construction, cost S2i
co. The price fixed by the contractors was Sl9,-
.,00 but during the progress OF tue work, the COM
mittee felt justified in making certain alterations
and additions which of course have added to the
expense and certainly they were wise in so doing,
when we remember that this is building that is
to stand permanently. Ground was broken on
the 3lst of May last, and the contract was COM
pleted on the 3lst of December last.
The new edfce is located eighty FIVE feet in the
rear of the central main building of the hospi-
tal and fronts eastward, projecting about ten feet
beyond the line of the wings. The building is
three stories high, Of BRICK with granite trim
mings, although the appropriation would not al
low the incorporation Of all the trimmings marked
out by the architects. The main building is soA4o
-s,L 0vO fao% he n
plan. 1t is three stories high and although the
building committee say that it is Of the Roman
esquc style of architecture we til ink the word
composite would better express the idea. 1t
presents beautiful, graceful appearance and the
only feature out Of keeping with the general
comelv shape and style, is the infntesmai cupoia
Tor inverted spur with which the building is sur
mounted \ strong and enduring truss roof Is
covered with Maine slate, and surrounded by
neat iron bau.ttade. The building is pronounced
as near fire-proof IS the nature of the materials
would admit. The walls are vaulted and sixteen
inches thick; the lower floor. are CT brick and
cement, and the others are protected by two
inches of concrete laid between the timbers.
The first story is 70 be devoted to the purposes
Of a kitchen. and is connected with the main build
ing bv subterranean corridor, IS feet long, built
of brick lighted in the day time by sky lights or
dead lights, and in the night by ga. light. Aeon
crete walk is to be laid here, and through it will
be laid tramway, on which car filed at the
large elevator in tie kitchen with food, will run
to all parts of the building to supply the various
departments with nicely cooked food. To pro-
vide kitchen accommodations, was one grand
reason for starting the new building enterprise
The steam from the cid kitchen fills the building,
leaving disagreeable and unhealthful efluvia, and
is rapidly doing its part towards the destruction OF
the timber work. Tnc kitchen is 31I40 feet.
monster at is in the northeast corner, to be
heated by coal, capable Of turning out st one
baking meat sufficient to feed 500 persons.
boiler holding 200 gallons Of boiling water will
surmount this oven. Next on that side of the
building will be placed q cooking range, resting
solid masonry, and the masonry in turn resting
on solid ledge. Next will come boilers" holding
from 40 to co gallons. Above the ventllators over
the boilers will be placed curved curtains SO that
the steam may readily escape. On the opposite
side of the room will be placed various appurte-
nances and apparatus for cooking and near the
centre, tables sinks, etc. A door the south side
will give egress to all refuse stuff which may from
thence be car,ed off. At the southeast corner
there are three large brick refrigerators designed
severallv for meat, batter, and milk, with no con-
nection whatever with double walls and double
doors; two pantries, one 9xll feet, and the other
Okla feet, all twelve feet four inches in height.
The refrigerators are provided with shelves, and
places for the reception Of ice. The bakery at the
northeast corner, is 24x26 feet, and has huge
oven capable of baking up two barrels of flour in
one batch (not in pies, be it understood but in
bread.) This monster is heated by coal, and
resort to the old process of drawing the fire." A
kneajng trough and table. and other "fxins" ap
propriate for bakery will be placed in the room.
Opposite this, on the other side of the entry way,
Is the grocery store, l6,2i feet, where all the
stores of that kind will be dealt out. This has an
outside entrance for the reception Of goods. The
kitchen and adjoining rooms have bare brick walls
now, awaiting the touches Of the painter.
The second story is reached by flights of stairs
from the front hall, and by a corridor
ming from the main hail of the hospital In the
second story there is a sewing room l6S27 feet;
store room for clothing &c. l2xlG feet room for
the sick l6x24 feet: attendants room l0xl6 feet;
sitting room l2xl6 feet; reading room, and seven
sleeping rooms for help. All the rooms on this
airy and cheerful The finish, as is also that of
the rooms below is of white and common pine;
the floors throughout being of hard Southern
pine. How the managers Of the hospital have got
along so many years without these accommoda-
tions, is wonder. They have often on hand
$4,000 worth of dry goods, boots shoes, &C., to be
dealt out to the patients, and have not had sutf-
Gent accommodations for them. And then the
sewing rooms for mems and women's clothing,
which will be fitted up with wardrobes AMI sup
Piled sewing machines. What blessing and help
will these apartments be found in the management
and conduct Of this extensive and benevolent in
stitution.
The elevated corridor above mentioned,
running from the main building, leads to a
spacious entry-way in the second story OF the
new chapel building, from which, on each side,
broad flights of stairs lead to the chapel or assem-
bly, room, which is in the third story of the build
ing. This corridor il so arranged that the various
wards NAV he cmptied of their ratients without