Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-19
PROPOSED walrE HOUSE CHANGES.
Plan d coloael Bingham to Enlarge tho
Executive Mansion.

For twenty years or more the subject
of providing more commodious resi-
dence for the President Of the United
States. as well as more suitable ac-
commodations for the offices Of the ex-
ecutive, has been discussed, and various
plans have been proposed. Colonel
Bingham of the army, who succeeded
General Wilson as superintendent OF
public buildings and grounds, has IN
mind general plan for the enlarge
ment of the mansion. the details OF
which he intends to work out SO as to
bring the matter to the attention OF
Congress at the coming session. His
plan could be carried out at cost, per-
haps, inside of $30O, 900. His idea is to
provide for all the additional room
that will be needed for years to come
without destroying of detracting from
the architectural appearance of the
mansion as it nov is. He would do
this by throwing out wing from each
side of the building on the segment Of
circle. curving toward the back of the
building. One Of these would extend on
a curved line out from the east room
and one would occupy part of the
space now occupied by the conserva-
tory.
Each wing would end in portico
facing south, and if in the distant
future still more room were needed two
large additions. facing east and west,
could be built as extensions from the
southern Examinations Of these wings
The plan, however, cOntemplates max
ing the building complete without
these possible extensions. A sketch of
the front elevation. with the addition
of these wings, will show no material
change in the general architectural APP
pearance Of the mansion. The historic
old structure would be preserved in it's
individuality. and no shock be given to
the sentiment which surrounds it nor to
architectural pr0priety. Ionic col
umns, similar to those which support
the main portico, would be used in the
construction of the wings, and the lin
tells and entablatures would be the
same. The southern porticos of the
wings would be supported by colon
made. This proposed extension would
provide five or six additional bedrooms
and a state dining-room. probably cir
cular, about sixty feet in diameter in
the west wings, and in the east wing
ample office rooms connecting with the
rooms now occupied for offices, besides
a broad corridor and great reception
room, similar to the dining-room in the
other wing, as an extension to the
east room, which is altogether too small
for the accommodation of the immense
throng at the Presidents receptions.
The need of an extension of the build
ing is universally acknowledged. and
the fact that it can be done satiSfac-
torily at so small cost encourages
the hope that Congress will provide the
money. At present there are only two
bathrooms in the mansion, not half
enough room for the office work and
far short of sufficient sleeping accom-
modations. The five additional bed
rooms, with bathrooms, would amply
provide for the domestic establishment
The additional room downstairs would
relieve the strain at the public recep-
tions besides providing a suitable state
dining hall. An elevator in each of the
wings would add greatly to the con-
venience and comfort of both the res
idential and office portions of the build
ing.