Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Public Buildings and Grounds. Report of the Special Committee of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution Relative to the Fire
Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.) Search this
Place:
Washington (D.C.)
Category:
Smithsonian Institution History Bibliography
Notes:
38th Congress, 2nd session
Bound in a volume entitled, Smithsonian Institution, 1846-1897, (Q11/S6A22/ 1846/Arch).
Summary:
Senate testimony of the Fire of 1865. Includes sections on the origin of the fire, "the character and extent of the loss sustained," and suggestions as to what should be done. Also includes summary of the Smithson bequest, events surrounding the construction of the Smithsonian Institution Building, and the active operations of the Smithsonian, including a description of the publications, the International Exchange Service, meteorological studies, astronomical studies, explorations and expeditions, and several scientific divisions.
Gives history of the Library, Museum, and lecture series. Included in this deposition is "Testimony Relative to the Origin of the Fire, Losses, Etc" which is comprised of statements by Colonel B.S. Alexander, and SI Employees Spencer F. Baird, William J. Rhees, W.Q. Force, William De Beust, Henry Horan, Thomas N. Woltz, Roger Sullivan, Theodore N. Gill, Fielding B. Meek, William Stimpson, Henry W. Elliott and Henry M. Bannister as to the events of the fire and of their personal losses.
