Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-04-22
NATIONAL HOME.
ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS
That Will Include New Barracks. New Coal
Shed and Other Improvements.

For some months past speculation
has been rife among the habitues Of
the National Home at TOgus. concern
ing the proposed additions and altera-
tons that were To be made on the
reservation during the coming season.
and as natural result Of prOfuse dis
cussion the majority Of the members
at the Home We're all at sea as To
what really would or would not be
done IN the lines above mentioned
The uncertainty, however, which was
fast becoming oppressive, has at last
been dspelled. and in accordance with
the action taken by the board Of man
ayers at their recent meeting in Wash
ington. d. g., matters have taken a
definite form. and what is TO he done in
the building line has been made public.
Those in charge OF the work are al
ready perfecting their plans. and ii j.
expected that operations along the DIFF
ferene lines will soon be commenced.
This means an expenditure Of many
thousands ~ dollars and a busy sea-
son for the contractors ana their men.
First in Importance Is the new doubl.
barracks. which will be built TO relieve
the congested condition now existing II
the Home Az regards quarters for the
men. IT Will b. large building about
2J0xi0 feet on the ground. and will ac.
commOdate 800 men. 1t will cost. com
pleted and furnished, 100000. In style
it will be somewhat colonial with twa
END ANA central gables. ana In general
appearance Will be unlike any other
building at the Home. 1t will be two
stories in height with pitch roof. both
floors being alike in arrangement. and
each having two barracks and a cen
tral lounging room. Ventilation will
De had from fire places and the build
ing viii be heated by steam and light
ed by electricity. 1t is possible that
the building may bc modified to some
extent to conform to tho proposed sitr.
The question ar the site for the pro-
posed barracks Is not definitely settled.
hut il is expected that il will be erect
ed on the east side Of the main avenue.
south az q Company barracks. and on
post" the hospital building. ana that
the space necessary will include the
ground now occupied by the orna-
mental battery Of three guns. This
will be removed. as it is becoming
somewhat dilapidatcd. What VIII ~
done with THE guns il not known. but
without doubt they will be 50 placed
as to continue to ne as ornamental as
heretofore.
The ncW coal shed will be built upon
the site uf the present one. and the
work Will probably be done in July
The new building will be an improve
ment over the old one, and the coal will
be unloaded from an elevated track
running through the shed.
The headquarters building, too. will
be the scene of extensive improve
ments. especially in the treasurer's Of
tic. An addition will be built at the
rear Of the south end TO correspond
with that on the north and occupied
by the Governors offices. Whereby m Re
room will be added to the treasurer's
offices. The vaults will be rebuilt. the
boiler in the basement moved to the
rear and the building itself rghted and
repaired. The interior will be newly
painted and placed in condition that
VIII greatly facilitate the transaction
of the large amount of business that
is carried on within its confines.
out on what is called the Rockland
road three new cottages will be built.
These will be erected on land adjoining
the cottages at present located there.
and will be built for the accommoda-
ton of the civilian employees at the
Home. Tenants have already been Sc
cured for two of them, and will move
in as soon as the cottages are ready for
occupancy.
In the building used for the barracks
OF ID Company. just across the avenue
from headquarters. work is going on
that Will be appreciated by all who
nave relatives and friends at the Home
The room on the first floor formerly
used by the company officers is being
freshly painted and will hereafter h
used as a waiting room for visitors
The officer of the day or an orderly
VIII be in attendance and parties desir-
ing to see any member of the Home
VIII find this room great convenience
while awaiting the arrival of their
friends.
Lincoln Litchfield of the Sd Maine
LOG inI