Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-28
Reconstruction of the U. s. Patent
Office.


quent occurrence In other cities. Wide streets
and the absence Of extensive business blocks
and large manufacturing establishments. ac-
count, In part, for IT, However to the priceless
archives OF the government In its marble and
granite palaces fire has done most lasting and
irreparable damages ON December Is. 1856.
all the records and models OF the Patent Office
were destroyed by fire. A senate report dated
January 9, 1887. states National pride must
now stand Iebuked by the improviGence which
exposed SO many memorials and evidences OF
the superiority OF American genius to the de-
struction which has overtaken them" The
erection Of a new building was at once author
and occupied In the year 1910: the east wing In
ls49; the west wing In ls56, and the north wing
In 1867.
With massive marble building, the popular
faith grew that whatever might be the security
offered to the records OF the government else
where, the important and valuable archives
sheltered under its roofs We're beyond the
reach OF accidents. In addition to the records
original drawings and models OF the Patent
Office, which, by themselves form a collection
of ineStimable value and world wide fame the
records OF the General Land Office and OF the
Bureau of Indian Affairs were, by degrees.
transferred TO this building.
ON the forenoon OF September "a, 1871
general alarm was sounded-the Patent Office
was on FIRE. Before long the great danger was
dlsclC sed, and caused intense anxiety. The
four wings OF the building are each about 275
by G9 feet In size; have three stories, and are
arranged around courtyard so as to form a
hollow square. The model-halls comprise the
whole OF the third story; they include four
grand halls, opening in TO each other, and
aIlordlng promenade around the four sides OF
the quadrangle. This great gallery contain
ing about 100000 models OF American inven-
ton. Is 1requented daily by visitors from all
classes OF the nation-mOSt for instruction and
much for pleasure. Two of these four halls
with their whole contents, were, within a few
hours, totally consumed from floor to roof.
leavlng the bare side walls standing, with the
enriched marble work on their inner faces cal
QlSlntpQratpd. AnDarp0tly
irony of fate. the terrible scourge fastened itself
upon and brought down the roofs OF the west
and north wings, which, being OF latest date
neared modern fire-proof work. while those OF
eal ller Gate, formed exclusively of timber were
with difficulty, placed beyond the reach Of the
devour1pg element by the strenuous services OF
the fire brigade.
After protracted discussions on the recon-
struction OF the building, IT was decided by Con-
gieSS that the external architecture should not
De changed; that the reconstruction should as
hear as possible approach absolute fire-proof
Work, aGd that there should be full latitude
given In the disposition OF the space as well as
In the architecture and decoration within.
Footing on these premises. Congress adopted
the plans or MeSsrS, CluSS & SchulZe. architects
or Washington, and the work, under the SUPER
intendency OF the architects, controlled by a
poafd or supervision, approaches completion
very rapidly. Absolute fire proof construction
was construed to imply the absence OF all COM
@ oustl6le matter and the protection OF all ex-
poSed metal work by thick castings OF fire-proof
material. In explanation of the illustra-
tion of the new design, 1t is necessar,
TO state that the windows in the old
Sidewalks 90 not reach above half height OF
the model-rooms. since they are arranged TO suit
the exterior architecture OF the building. This
necessitated recourse OF skylghtS, which are
not looked upon favorably In this most trying
climate. Hence, continuous double SkylfghtS
are provided along the centre of the halls. With
an intermediate space from which sidelight is
thrown on and through the galleries. The outer
skyEght is covered In with heavy hammered
no pirran
rbbeo glass, and by this mellow, agreeable light
Is transmitted to the halls.
The space between the Skylights is ventilated
to such degree as to prevent sweating by con-
densation OF vapor after rapid changes Of the
temperature and conditions OF the atmosphere
The objects on exhibition require close inspec
ton, hence alcoves were arranged on the main
floor and on two galleries. with well holes In the
centre OF the gallery floors for the transmission
or light to the less favored portions of the
rooms. Warned by the disaster which at time
OF so-called false ceilings was carefully avoided
Perfect safety and hygienic advantages were in
Sured by the use OF roofing arches formed OF
hollow hre-proOf blocks BY Suoh construction
the whole cubic contents OF the rooms were Sc
cured for useful occupation, and two galleries
are introduced where formerly there was but
one, OF same height as that Of the new gale
rieS.
To obvfate the Injurious effects of expansion
ara contraction, experienced with metal roofs
OF wide span, during the high temperature of a
centre nave and two aisleS by two rows of solid
piers which are carried up for support of the
roofs. These piers are spaced transversey. as
well as lOngitudinally to suit the pOiofs Dan
puf In the lower stories, and are built of bonded
brick work laid In Portland cement. as the most
suitable material for f1re-proof construction.
Iney Iorm prominent part in marked style,
the outgroWth of modern system of construc-
t1on, the solid reality Of which is admitted TO he
10 conflict with the dicta OF literary dilettanti
Inc PIERS ;, are ued. In pairs by hre-proof
frnf bod
tire nave, these are Surmounted by decorated ga.
bles which subdivfde the inner skylights rhyfh
mlcally into compartments. and establish for
the cultivated eye counter poise to the pres
sure eXeTted On the centre by the inclined planes
OF the roofs over the aiSleS The wide spaceS
between the piers OF each row are subdivided by
d0uole do wrought and cast-iron columns, with IN
teTmedlate nre-proof filling; these support the
galleries Which are constructed of rolled iron
beams With ceilings formed OF hollow. fre-proof
DOCKS, and floors of huge slabs of slate. In
Whlch superior material the country abounds.
In ORDER TO retain the entire space between the
ml0dle piers and outside walls for the f1re-nroof
InOOei cases, balconies, or baskets were DESIGN
ca on nrst gallery, Which project into the centre
helght OF the centre nave was subdued. and
brought Id sympathy with the lower masses by |
lts SIDES: The outlines of these balconies were
ha 50 as 10 Dreak the formal monotony of
tne almost endless repetition of straight archI-
tecsuraI nnes by the contrast of graceful curves
La foOrs and balustrades. The floors of the hall
Son1eo uafS uot uut Iull thickness OF the gallery
noOfs and even their reduced thickness has
been measurately lightened by nodded panels I'm |
their underside which shows on the main floor |
as ceiling. o-
The interior architecture OF the model rooms |
Is In modern Renaissance. q style which admits
OF doing full justice to all that is essential for
lne future occupation OF the building without |
requiring any concessions to the Classical trad !
lions OF which this style is an organic reproduc-
tlon. In the details all unnecessary decoration |
mas been avoided and a severe but pleasing dig |
nifty strived at by well-proportioned old masses.
Of colors.
The floors OF the center naves and commun,.
cadRg passages are being laid with marble tiles.
10 panels of white and black within borders OF |
Ied and French gray. The ceilings OF the galle-
against them, and all the spaces between the
cases are again relieved by the light wells No
asthet1cal reasons 1nterfered with a due consid
grafton OF the demands OF utility and scrIInn.
Ous cleanliness The gallery floors being or
necessity, repeated In small heights. their plain
)utnnes along the sides OF the center nave are
1ot disguised by any ornamentat1on whatever |
lefghts. 0--0A- A''''i0ou
Style is impaired to the piers along both sides
u the center nave by facings of the fre-proof
OF statuary marble-Keene's marble
emenL substantial ptlaSters with raised work |
re formed OF Egyptian and Vert antique mar
he nrst gallery tier OF lOftier and more elabo-
ate pllasters Is raised with pedestals of Vert
lntque, futed shafts OF polished Sienna marble
I'D capitals with superintendent consoles or
milk " hite PaIian) mar bic, the effect of which
enhanced BY moderate amount of gliding
or the prominent parts The superior merits
keeDes cement have induced an extensiye
nd fNov~