Evening star., 1920-07-14
FREERART GALLERY,
HELD BACK BY WAR,
NEARS COMPLETION
Beautiful Structure in Smith
sonian Grounds Being Made
Ready for Opening.

Exterior work on the Freer Art
Gallery, in the Smithsonian 1nstitu-
ton grounds, is completed. and with
the installation Of interior decora-
tions and equipment one of the most
beautiful buildings of it's kind in the
United States will be thrown open to
the public. The date of opening, al
though indefinite, is tentatively set
about six months hence.
The war. with its resulting short
age of labor and material and the
abandonment of all work except that
considered most necessary, held back
considerably the construction on the
gallery, which stands just to the west
and a little in rear of the old Smith
sonian building at the corner of 11th
and B streets southwest. But since
the armistice the exterior of the
building has been rushed to compile
ton, and at present the structure
presents the appearance of a finished
'edifice.
Inside Work Unfinished.
Inside, however, the building lacks
much of the work which is needed to
finish it. This work has been held
back because Of inability on the part
of those in charge of the project to
secure the necessary material. For in
stance, some of the expensive and
rarely colored glass which will be used
for the skylghts has been ordered Tor
more than two years, and no definite
date for it's delivery to Washington
has been promised.
The interior painting needed to color
the walls is yet to be completed, the
heating system must be installed and
the large carpet covering the marble
floors of the gallery has not been laid.
At present gang of workmen Is
clearing away the rubbish incident
to the construction work which has
been in progress for several years.
Most of this; has been removed and
the grounds surrounding the bullu-
ing are being prepared for planting.
The structure will be surrounded by
a garden, similar in appearance to
Smithsonian Institution, and the gar
deners already are prepared to begin
putting them in order for next spring.
Exhibits Of Art Expected.
Some Of the exhibits of art have
been ordered sent to Washington and
are on their way. Immediately upon
their arrival they will be installed
or stored away for instant display
when the remaining interior work is
completed. Others will be ordered
as space for their exhibition is pre-
pared.
The Freer gallery of art was pre-
sented to the Smithsonian Institution
by Charles Lang Freer. millionaire
railroad and business man and one
of the leading connoisseurs of art in
this country. His collection was per-
haps the greatest gift the institution
ever received, and the building is pro-
vided to house it. the sum for this
structure being 100000.
Mr.. Freers collection Of art is rec
ognized as one of the most valuable
in the world. comprising a number of
very rare paintings by famous artists.
Although plans yet are indefinite con-
cerning additions to the collection,
it is believed that the Freer gallery
of art will be used more or less as a
national gallery, in which from time
to time other paintings, will be in
cluded. L
DR.. walcott Directing work.
DR.. Charles D. Walcott, secretary
Of the Smithsonian Institution, at
present is directing the. work of prep
aration on the part of the govern
ment, but when completed the gal
lery will be governed by board OF
directors, the members Of which are
yet to be named
Washington bids fair to become a
mecca for lovers of art from all parts
of the world. as well as this coun-
try. The fame of the Corcoran CAL
lery of Art has long been recognised.
Starting, as it will, with the Freer
collection, the Freer Art Gallery will
become in time the chief competitor
of the former institution.