Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-12
UNIVERSITY
Exercises at the Laying Of the First Corner
Stone.
The Venerable Bishop Bowman and
to Place the Stone I'm Position.

The corner stone of the College of His
tory, American University, will be LAID the
2lst instant at 2 o'clock with appropriate
ceremonies. This building will be the
first finished of the great group of build
ings that will constitute the material part
Of the American University.
Rev. DR.. Beiler. the vice chancellor, has
not yet heard from a number of those in
vited to participate in the program Of ex-
ercises at the laying of the corner stone.
but. If favora BILE replies are received from
all the principal participants. the program
will be as follows: Singing Of the American
University Ode, composed for the occasion
by the Rev. George Lansing Taylor. LII.
D.. of Connecticut; prayer; responsive read
ing of the Scripture: addresses by Bishop
Jno. F. Hurst, chancellor of the university;
ex-Gov. Robert E. Pattison of Philadelphia,
Pa; Bishop Alpheus w. Wilson, Baltimore,
Nd, of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South; Rev. Jas. NJ. Buckley, ID. d., of New
York city, editor of the Christian Advocate;
Bishop Charles H. Fowler. d. D., of Buffa-
10, N. Y, and Bishop Chas. c. McCabe of
Fort Worth, Texas, and then the laying of
the corner stone
The university authorities have requested
that the corner stone be laid by the vener
able Right Rev. Thos. Bowman, ID. d.,
senior bishop of the Methodist, Episcopal
Church, and by Grover Cleveland. President
Of the United States. The stone is to be
the ritual of the Methodist Church. While
1t is net finally settled. it is thought likely
that representatives of the order Of Free
Masons will be asked to perform the Ma
sonic ceremonies arranged for such occa-
SionS.
The Hall of History, with the exception
OF a central projection of % feet, will be an
oblong structure. with ia feet frontage by
depth of 30 feet, two stories, finished
cellar and attic. The design is in the pure
Grecian order of architecture. The Poto-
mac blue stone base has a concrete footing
OF broken stone and hydraulic cement,
ranging from four to six feet vide and
| two feet thick. The belt course is Of
granite. Superimposed On this and extend
| ing to and including the cornice will be the
| big blocks Of marble, each of which will be
secured to the interior brick walls by steel
| tie straps. The basement walls are four
| feet thick and the superstructure will be
three feet. Hydraulic cement mortar will
be used throughout the building. The en-
trance will be on the west side, through
| recessed porch. whose pediment will be
| supported by Ionic columns. The basement
! story, in which the corridors will be finished
| with red press brick. will contain steam
| heating plant. fuel rooms, lavatories and
| laboratory. The last two will be finished
| with white enameled brick.
| The principal story will be divided into
| study rooms museum and library. The
halls are to be fioored and wa!nscoted with
| marble.
The second floor will contain a large
lecture hall. series of study rooms and
| coat closets. A heavily timbered lip roof
| covered with copper will close in the
| structure.
| The staircases, architraves ard trim
| mfngs throughout are TO be of cabinet fin
| ished Quartered oak Incandescent electric
| lights will be used as iluminants. The
| floors are constructed on an Interesting
| plan. On the 3x14 joists, which are placed
| twelve inches from centers. a false floor is
| laid and covered with sand TO depth of
one inch. and on this is placed the finished
| tongued and grooved flooring.
| The College of Languages, which is the
| gift of General ]. Watts de Peyster of
| Tivoli, \. Y. is the next building that will
| be commenced neat frame office build
| ing has been erected at the entrance to the
| grounds. and on the day of the dedication
| of the College of History 'Old Glory and
THE American University will be thrown
| to the breeze for the first time.