Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-24
MISS TELFATR'S REQUEST.
THE INTERIOR OF THE ACAD-
ENVY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.

How the Old Mansion is Being Rehtted
and Will Become one of the Finest Art
Galleries in the Countrywide Pur-
chases In Europe An Additional
Building Contemplated for Their Re
ception.
The work of refitting the Telfair Man
sion, ON st. James square, now Telfair
Place, as the Telfair Academy of Arts and
Sciences, has been progressing slowly, in
accordance with the plans approved by
the Board of Managers. The work,
which was begun some months
ago, was for q time suspended until
the return of the Director, Mr.. Brandt,
who was sent to Europe to purchase
works of art. Mr.. Brandt is now in New
York, and the work Is being performed
with his approval Under the terms OF
the will OF Miss Telfair the Board of Man
ayers are required to limit the improve
ments so as not to essentially change the
architectural features of the original
structure. Hence, though several neces-
sary improvements have been
! made in the building, they are
not of such character as
| These Improvements are, however, quite
marked in the interior, where the ceiling
of the main hallway has been raised and
covered by a skylight forty feet long and
seven feet wide. The visitor, in passing
into this hall, is agreeably impressed with
the architectural effect Of the changes
made in this respect.
The hall is forty-five feet in length, four
+ teen feet in width and about thirty-three
feet in height, and is terminated at the
rear 10y an ulcove fourteen feet wide, four
teen feet deep and about thirty-three feet
in height, where an iron and marble stair
way seven feet wide faces the main
entrance and leads part of the way
to the second floor, terminating at a
landing whence two flights Of iron and
marble stairways each about four feet
wide complete the means of ascent to the
second story. The ceiling to this alcOve
or recess is finished in a skylight of
ground glass laid in large panels, each
glass being from One-half to fve-eighths
of an inch in thickness. the walls of
the hall and alcOve will be finished in
plaster and Ornamented by a subdued
color. The balustrade to the stairway is
of iron supporting a massive rail of
beautifully carved mahogany. Two
massive chandeliers will be suspended in
the main hall. and one over the stairway
in the alcove.
Whatever alterations have been COM
pleted in the structure are visible In the
hall and alcoYe alone. The other apart
ments are materially unchanged.
On the right of the hall is the largest
room in the building. 1t is 80 feet in
length, including the depth Of a wide bay
window at the rear, and fleet wide. The
ceiling is Il feet ,n;;-h. This is tho "~'"
room to the right OF the main entranne of,
tuG hIsC moor. On the south size of the
nan mere are two rooms, one ,neosttrino
10 by 70 feet, and the othe- rs hv o. feet
Al the far end of both the iarger
rooms on this floor there was a
rba rom sing out Immediately TO
hav~ Of the hall. Both windows
been bricked up and recess
formed in their stead suitable for the dis
play OF a piece of statuary or other work
OF art. When the improvements are fin
ished, and the apartments furnished, these
alterations will hardly be noticed except
by person familiar with the original in
terror of the building.
In the second story there are two
rooms on the north side of the main hall
and three on the south side. The ceilings
are eleven feet in height. The two rooms
overlooking State street are each about
22X20 feet, while those on the south side
are each about lSX2O feet.
A number OF plasterers are engaged in
finishing the ceilings and walls, but some
be done. All the improvements have a
substantial look, and everything SAVIOR
ing of gaudiness will be assiduOusly
avoided in the col0rs and fixtures.
Mr. Brandt, now in New York, is ac-
companied by Gen. Henry r. Jackson,
and is making arrangements for forward
ing some Of the art works as they arrive
from Europe, besides looking after
other matters relating to the
Academy. Some of the designs which
Mr.. Brandt arranged tor in Europe will
not be ready for shipment to this country
for several months, hence the work of i'm
proving the building is not being pushed
as fast as some unacquainted with the
circumstances might suppose. Dur
ing Mr.. Brandts absence the archI-
tect, Mr.. ochwaab, is closely watching
the details of the work. The collection
which Mr.. Brandt secured will more than
occupy all the available room in the build
ing, and as it includes number of rare
and costly works, it is intimated that an
additional structure, two stories in height
and measuring sixty feet on side, may
yet be built in the rear of the present
building, forming one Of the most availa-
bic and best arranged art and picture gal
leries in the country.