Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-29
A GREAT CHARITY.
ST. Joseph's Orphan Asylum-A stately
and WelI-Eq tipped building.

ST. Joseph's Orphan Asylum-A stately
and Weli-Equipped building.
The new St. Joseph's orphan asylum has
recently been opened, and some account Of
it will be read with interest. The location,
TO begin WITH is magnificent one 1t is on
North avenue, about mile from the centre
of the city, and on a high bluff overlooking
Lake Champlaln. The prospect from the
building is IA glorious one. Ga one side is the
lake, with the AdirOndacks in the back
ground on the other the valley OF the
WinoOski river, the city, and the village of
Winooski, with the Green Mountains in the
distance. Connected with the building are
ample grounds, which will in time be i'm
proved and beautif3 The asylum is ex-
lremely plain and simple in its architecture
alton. 1t is of brick, 40 by IS feet, with
wing in the rear 60 80. 1t is four stories
in height, H. 135, 70 and II feet, rcspec-
lively All the interior partitions are of
solid brick, and the total amount of brick
used in the construction of the building was
about !, 420, 000-all of which was furnished
by Francis Leclair, Esq, of Winooski.
The new asylum had its genesis in this
way: The managers of the Old institution
on Pearl street, finding that ancient building
fast becoming too small for the many de-
mands made upon them, determined some
five years ago to erect Il new orphanage.
For this purpose the beautiful site Just des-
cIibcd, which was formerly owned by the
heirs of the late Henry B. Stacy and which
includes fourteen acres of land, was select
ed and in the spring and summer of 1879
the foundations were laid. The stone is red,
tie ana Isle La Motto gray limestone. In this
Mr.. G. N. Willard) 1100pcrch of stone were
used. After this there was delay of two
years, when work was resumed, the contract
for the brick work being awarded to Cum
mings & Son Of Rutland, whose practical
skill is attested by some of the largest public
buildings in the State of Vermont. Mr.
James Ross was entrusted with the charge Of
framing the timbers and with the general
construction Of the woodwork. The frame
Of the roof is of great strength, and it re-
quired some skill and considerable care to
prepare its many parts so that when put to-
gether 1t would form a complete and perfect
whole. For some twenty months Mr. Ross
had from ten to twenty-five skilled work
men under his control and he also superin-
ended the woodwork, both interior and eX-
terror. The location being at a great lumber
mart, the proprietors were able to choose Il
variety of woods. The interior finish is of
well-seasoned pine, white wood, ash, cherry
aud black walnut. The floors are all made
of the best Canadian spruce, kiln-drIed and
without a knot, and laid in narrow strips. w.
y. Crombie, Esq, for his firm, priced and
carefully selected most of this lumber. The
frames for the doors and windows,
the sash and glass, stair rails and balusters,
brackets and dOrmer windows, and inside
blinds were made by Messrs. Sibley and Io.
gan Of Mr.. D. h. Booths establishment. The
Stating was done by Mr.. |. Rogers The
dome is covered with bright galvanized iron
shingles, surmOunted by a beautiful gill
cross, which will he notable landmark for
boats approaching Burlington. rhe painting
and granting was done by Louis Hillare anC
John Spence. The oils, paints and hard
ware were furnished by &. l. Hagar ant
| Ferguson & Adsit; the lime (ovcr 400 bush
els ny S. H. Weston of WinoOski the bolt!
aud iron rods and braces by Alex. Crosby
| Phelps; the nails Ga carload), spikes, cemen
and plaster by o. j. Walker & Bros III,
ron columns, castings, &c, by w. H. Brink
the chandeliers, lamps and shades by A
| BOuun. To secure perfect freedom from
gaseous Odor5 and moisture and to hinde
rats, &C., from burro~ing underneath tn,
b isement floor, the entire ground surfac,
was cemented with Portland cement.
As one enters the grand hallway the eff &C
is striking-the lofty ceiling, the wood Il
grain and natural finish, broad stairway o
cherry and ash and the brightly poishe,
brass rails, This leads directly to tn
chapel, which is located in win
at right angles to the main build
. ing. This is perhaps the most beautiful
chapel in the State. The altar is of tn
: finest white marble, deliCately carved an
, Oruamentod, Above it is niche, in whc
is "a striking statue OF the Mother OF Sorrows
| contemplating the body of the dead ChIist
5 1t was ordered expressly for the chapel frol
r the famous house Of Froc- Robert, Paris
France. The chapel is deliberately and yer
> beautifully decorated (the work Of W. .
, Ilndall) and Is IN every respect a perfc,
e gem.
70 The asylumis heated throughout by steam
s Two horizontal boilers Of thirty five hOrs
r power each distribute an even tcmpcratu
r Of 70 degrees in all pats Of lha bulldog, Il
pressure required bcllg an average Of TIM
c pounds OF steam. The hot water uuparat.
/ works. by steam, and has a capacity Of su
% plying 90 gallons Of boiling water TO any pa
j. OF the structure. The ClAihes-dGyng ~
IddluS NhOI YET cuuItly completely VIII ul
d be Iun by steam. All these were pu in |
If Pitkin Bros. & Co., of Hartford, Conn; ,
i are OF the latest aud best design, aud wui
e most satisfactorily.
IT In plumbing, the best that monty cou
!, buy was procured, aud no pains were spar,
9 to attain the highest point reached b. mo
81 ern sanitary engineering. The water close
- and bathrooms for the children are on ca,
It ilorr at both ends of the building. Tn,
y WIRE made expressly for the asylum by Il
d j, l.. Mott iron works, NV York. II
G bath tubs are about four feet square, ~
when full OF water they nre minatu
1t ponds, where the little ones can be bath
lc and washed most thoroughly. The clust
2. and baths for the adults are in the centre
IS the building. The closets are all of Nh
e porcelain and of the ventilated hopper pr
IT, tenn. The bath-tuhs are of eighteen. oun
copper and with The basins finished in IT.
e. lan marble, make a neat and pleasant bat
Of room. In almost every room is was
- sink, made of iron, extra. heavy and por,