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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report 1898 Librarian’s Room & Offices
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
One major change in the Librarian’s Room was the removal of the four hanging fixtures
and their replacement with fluorescent hanging fixtures. The terrazzo floor was covered
with gray and black linoleum tiles. Horizontal Venetian blinds were also installed in the
windows, but the brass curtain rods were left in place.
The room today is painted in ivory, turquoise, red, and gold. The wood paneling is ivory
with gold accents. The plaster wall above is turquoise with a border pattern of red and
gold. The ceiling cornice and raised detail of the ceiling are tan, while the recesses of the
coffers are turquoise. The color scheme is the same as the Trustees’ Lobby above.”
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 174
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Historic Structure Report Children’s Room
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1990s Restoration Room No.
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Use/Name Changes of Room
Heliotype Scientific Periodicals
Monograph Patent Library #1
1895 Children’s Room
1897 #10
1898 Children’s Room
1902 Children’s Room
1908 Children’s Room
1916 Children’s Room
1959 Teacher’s Department
1964 Education Department
1972 Social Science Department
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BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 175
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Children’s Room
Library as Completed in 1895
Purpose
The Children’s Room was primarily designated for “the better class of ‘juveniles’-—the
books—“boys’ and girls’ fiction and books of travel and adventure written for the
young.” Several written accounts indicate that at first, the room may not have been
designated a Children’s Room. An account written at the opening of the building in
February 1895 says this room was to be used “as an overflow for the larger reading room”
and a place to keep relics and articles of historical merit. No mention of children was
made in this account.” Walker’s 1895 New England Magazine article also calls this room
the “Room for Relics.”*” In an 1896 account, this room is labeled the “Registration
Room” because the library card registration desk was located within it as well.*” Small’s
detailed account, however, seems to indicate that it was the Children’s Room when the
library opened in 1895.
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
The Children’s Room was located at the north end of the 2nd floor corridor opposite the
Delivery Room. The dimensions of the room are identical to those of the Delivery Room,
but there were several differences in its treatment. The Children’s Room had two large
windows at the gallery level of its north wall and six smaller window openings at the main
level (fig. I-61). All of these are contained within the large arched windows of the
Boylston Street facade. Two leather covered doors in the east wall led to Bates Hall, and
one in the west wall led to the Elliott Room. The Children’s Room also had a gallery that
ran around the east, north, and west walls, that was accessed by spiral staircases at the
southern end of the east and west sides. The spiral staircase on the east wall was later
removed (between 1908 and 1929) (fig. I-62).
The Children’s Room was plainly finished, unlike the lavish Delivery Room. McKim’s
original drawings indicate that the floors were to be marble; walls and ceiling—plastered;
jambs, trims and fireplace—marble; bookcases and window trim—cherry; gallery
floor—hard pine; and gallery railing and staircase—iron. Small indicates that, as built, it
had a terrazzo floor, a skirting of pink Knoxville marble, and plaster walls and ceiling.
The only hint of decoration was the red Verona marble mantel on the east wall that
projects slightly from the wall and is topped with a simple cornice. The walls of the main
floor and gallery were lined with low, built-in bookshelves that could be reached by the
children without the assistance of the librarian.*” Framed documents, paintings, and
other educational items hung above the bookshelves.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 176
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Patent Room (a.k.a. Elliott Room)
Mr. Elliott has hitherto lived in Chicago where he has practiced his profession as decorator with
great success and this decoration of Mrs. Porter Palmer’s new house and said to be the finest things
of the kind in this country...
The Trustees and McKim approved of the choice of Elliott, and the commission was
granted to him in September 1893.™ Elliott, a Scot who settled in Boston in 1897 when
he married a Bostonian woman, then set out to Rome to carry out the painting.” It was
installed on the Patent Room ceiling in 1901. A description follows below.
Library Alterations to 1909
Purpose
In 1896 the Library contemplated making the Patent Room into an additional space for
the Children’s Room. This was actually done in 1898, and the contents of the Patent
Library were moved into the space formerly used for bound newspaper files on the same
floor in the west wing (see “1898 Patent Room”). The new Children’s Room (also called
Children’s Reference Room and Teacher’s Reference Room) was made into a general
reference reading room with maps, photographs, and a kindergarten library for teachers
in the gallery. It was finished in dark oak.™”
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
There was some extensive remodeling in this room in late 1901 after Elliott’s painting was
installed. Elliott, dissatisfied that the gallery in this room obscured the view of his
painting, requestea to have it removed.
I avail myself of this opportunity to state that it is of the greatest importance for the decoration to be
seen under the most favorable conditions from the first—i.e. with an unbroken coup d’oeil of the
composition. The existing balconies render this impossible as they interfere from every point of
view. I therefore venture to hope that the Trustees will not disregard so serious a detriment to the
work on which I have spared neither time thought nor labour.”
A series of events followed, ending with the removal of the gallery. About ten days after
the Elliott painting was installed the Librarian was authorized to remove the spiral
staircase leading to the gallery.”” In a December 1901 Trustees’ Meeting, a letter
submitted from Fox & Gale Architects presented a scheme for completely removing the
gallery and relining the walls with bookcases.™” The Trustees approved, and the architect
was instructed to begin work on December 13, 1901." The Fox & Gale drawings referred
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 181
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Patent Room (a.k.a. Elliott Room)
to in the Trustees minutes are held in the BPL collection, and a plan drawing in the 1902
Trustees’ Annual Report confirms that the gallery was removed in 1901 (fig. I-64).
Fixtures and Furnishings
An early photograph shows long rectangular wooden tables with two double shaded lights
each filling the room. This same photograph shows sconces with upturned semicircular
glass shades mounted on the pilasters separating the bookshelf sections.
Artwork
On March 17, 1901, the Elliott ceiling decoration “The Tnumph of Time” was opened to
the public for viewing. A concise explanation is found in the 1916 Handbook:
The painting contains thirteen winged figures. The twelve female figures represent the Hours, and
the one male figure, Time. The Christian Centuries are typified by twenty horses arranged in five
rows, of four each. In each row the two centre horses are side by side, and between these and the
outer horses are two winged female figures representing Hours. On either side of the car in which is
the figure of Time are the Hours of Life and Death. Seen from before the door of the Children’s
Room the design begins in the neighborhood of the nearer left hand corner, and describes a semi-
circle, with a downward sweep over an effect of clouds, back to the left again, to a point about two-
thirds across the canvas, and culminates in a disk, the sun, before which are the leading horse and
the figure typifying the Twentieth Century. In the nearer right hand corner is a crescent moon with
a full disk faintly showing. The decoration is divided in the centre by a beam, but notwithstanding
this division, the composition is consecutive.*”!
There was significant discussion regarding the framing of the Elliott painting, generally
regarding the issue of cost and who would fund it. In June 1891, McKim wrote to Thomas
A. Fox that he had received from Elliott a photograph, drawings, and a model of the
frame he desired.
After a careful consideration of his design, and recognizing it as an excellent example of the form
posed in the framing of Italian ceiling decoration, we commend it heartily to the Trustees ... In view
of the existence of the girder, running through the centre of the ceiling, and the fact that a
decoration of this size must be adequately framed, we hope that the Trustees will see their way clear
to allowing Mr. Elliott, after nearly five years of labor, the sum necessary for the framing of his
work.*”*
The Trustees solicited Harold Williams again to see if he could raise funds for the frame,
but correspondence indicates that he declined to accept the responsibility, suggesting
that Mrs. Barett Wendell may be able to take on the cause.” Mrs. Wendell and Charles
G. Loring of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts began to help in fundraising, but the
money must not have been raised by March 1900 because a letter from Abbott to
Bowditch expressed that the least the Trustees could do is pay for an adequate frame.“"
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 182
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Patent Room (a.k.a. Elliott Room)
By November 1900, the Trustees had approved a frame in accordance with plans
recommended by McKim and the money was “at hand” allowing the work to proceed.”
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
In the 1916 Handbook, the Patent Room is called the Teacher’s Reference Room,
although the contents of the room may not have changed. The 1921 handbook says that
the John Adams collection, formerly housed on the Special Library Floor, was kept
behind chains on the upper shelves of the bookcases.*” Physically, few changes occurred
in this room after the 1901 renovation. In 1927 it was repainted, and in 1929 new
bookcases were installed.*”
In the 1960s modernization, both the old Children’s Room and the Teacher’s Reference
Room were slated to be the location for a new Music Department. The Teacher’s
Reference Room was to become the repository for the Brown Music Collection formerly
housed on the Special Library F loor.*” This was never done, but the Elliott room is
labeled “Judaica” in a set of 1964 plans.
In 1968, when many changes were occurring in the library due to the demolition of the
1918 Blagden Street annex, the Elliott Room was used temporarily to house the
Government Documents Department. It served this purpose until July 1974 when the
Government Documents Department was relocated to the old Newspaper Room on the
ground floor.*” At the end of the Summer of 1975, the Public card catalog was moved
from the Abbey Room to the Elliott Room.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 183
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Newspaper Reading Room
(hair!) Newspaper Reading Room
1990s Restoration Room No.
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Use/Name Changes of Room
Heliotype Stacks
Monograph Lecture Hall
1895 Newspaper Reading Room
1897 Newspaper Room
1898 Lecture Hall
1908 Lecture Hall
1916 Lecture Hall
1964 Lecture Hall
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Plan as built in 1895 N—->
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BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 184
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Newspaper Reading Room
Library as Completed 1895
Purpose
The room, originally intended to be a Lecture Hall, in the northwest corner of the 2nd
floor, had a change of fate when a New Hampshire citizen, Mr. William C. Todd, offered
the Library $2,000 per year to be followed with $50,000 later, expressly for the purchase of
current newspapers. He expressed his interest in this endeavor and justified the need for
a newspaper reading room in a letter to the Trustees dated June 16, 1893. He wrote:
Newspapers now form a large part of the reading of the whole community. I have heard
businessmen say that they read the newspapers daily, occasionally a magazine, hardly a book in a vear
... yet many newspapers are too expensive for ordinary readers, and a large part are desired only for
occasional use."
At the time of the offer, there was no designated space in the Library building for
newspaper reading, and Todd specified that a “suitable room” be furnished. Accordingly,
the Lecture Hall space was re-designated as a Newspaper Reading Room.
Physical Description
Architectural Details, Finishes, Fixtures, and Furnishings
The Newspaper Room was officially opened to the public on May 3, 1895. It eventually
housed a collection of local, national and international papers for all to peruse.*'’ The
room was simply finished with terrazzo floors and a Guastavino arched ceiling of terra
cotta tiles painted white. Newspapers were displayed on oak racks and there was a
multitude of tables for casual reading.*’* Other than these entries from the Trustees’
minutes and Small’s account, a description of the room is taken only from an illustration
in the February 1895, Boston Daily Globe article contained in Appendix 11.6. Standing files
ran around the perimeter of the room for upright reading. The room received natural
light from four large arched windows on Boylston Street plus smaller windows at the floor
level on its north wall and courtyard windows on its south wall. At least one large
chandelier hung in the room and supplementary sconces were hung between the
windows above the newspaper racks.
Library Alterations to 1909
Shortly after the Library opened to the public, additional furnishings were provided and
the need for improvements in heating was discovered. In May 1896, Mellish, Byfield
Company was hired to provide shelving for bound newspapers at a cost of $3,533."
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 185
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Newspaper Reading Room
Heating had been a problem since the opening of the building. As early as 1896, the
Trustees realized that additional heating would be required in the Special Library Floor
and in the Newspaper Room and Bindery below. The Trustees’ Annual Report of 1896
noted that 366 feet of radiating surface were added to this room. This repair afforded a
great improvement according to the report that reads, “With these additions, there has
been no difficulty in keeping a comfortable temperature in these rooms, part of which
during last winter were at times uninhabitable.”
In 1897 the Trustees contemplated the addition of a gallery or mezzanine level to house
the patent collection.*” The 1898 plans indicate that no gallery was built, but the
Newspaper Room was moved to the northeast corner of the ground floor where the
peniodicals had previously been housed. The enclosure of the driveway on Boylston
Street had provided interior space for an expansion of the Penodical Room into that
space, leaving the large room in the corner for the newspaper collection. Incidentally,
the patent collection was not put in the gallery of the new Newspaper Room. It was put in
its own room in the west wing of the building (see “Statistical Department”) .""°
This transfer of the Newspaper Reading Room to the ground floor, once again made
available the space in the northwest corner of the second floor for its original use as a
Lecture Hall. Horace Wadlin wrote that the Lecture Hall was formally opened on May 17,
1899, with a program that included the unveiling and presentation of a bust of Walter
Scott by the Westminster Committee on the Scott Memonial. In the following years free
lectures were given on a variety of subjects from municipal administration methods to fine
arts.*'’ The Lecture Hall was accessed through its own entrance on Boylston Street.
Soon after the opening, the Trustees’ Minutes recorded that authorization was given to
the purchase of “50 sections of seats—3 seats in a section at $1.50 per seat” for the hall.*""
Herbert Small, in his 1908 handbook, said the Lecture Hall could seat 300 people
comfortably. He described it as lofty and well ventilated with a deep stage at its west end
(fig. I-65)."" Undated McKim drawings of the Lecture Hall have been found in the
McKim Collection at the New York Historical Society, but it is unclear whether these were
created for the original Lecture Hall or the 1898 Lecture Hall. Even if they are the
original drawings, it is possible that they were re-used to transform the room back to this
purpose.
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
Documentation suggests that few major changes were made in the Lecture Hall between
1898 and 1953. A record in the Trustees’ Annual Report for 1911 indicates that the walls
were washed and re-tinted. By 1921, the Trustees say that ventilation is “criminally bad”
and the Hall is “distressingly dingy,” but improvements were deemed impossible. In
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 186
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Newspaper Reading Room
1924, however, ventilation was improved by the installation of a ten horsepower air-
washing machine with electric fan and the appropriate connections with air shafts.~
1926 the Lecture Hall received a thorough renovation including cleaning, the installation
of new stage draperies, and the addition of emergency exit lights.” Further
improvements, were made in 1928, including the addition of a new moving picture booth
and equipment, a new screen and stage curtain, and acoustical draperies. In addition,
lighting, both general and on the stage was improved (fig. I-66).** A July 1947 Ames,
Child & Graves drawing, revised in November of the same year by American Architectural
Iron Company also indicates the addition of a fire escape from the Lecture Hall.*”
In
In his 1953 “modernization” campaign, Milton Lord planned to make a “virtually new
hall” in the space that he stated, “has long needed to be improved.”*” He did not
describe the extent of the improvements except for the installation of a mezzanine floor
to house small meeting rooms and conference rooms, and the addition of a kitchen “to
permit a greater variety of library uses under increasingly pleasant conditions.”” A study
drawing made by Ames, Child & Graves in January 22, 1953, illustrated the changes
proposed.*” The drawing was revised several times that year as well.
In March 1975, the Science Reference Department was moved into the Lecture Hall, thus
ceasing its previous function.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 187
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7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
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Government Documents & Social Sciences
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report 1898 Patent Room
Library as Completed in 1895
The room, which became the Patent Room and Statistical Department in 1898, had no
identified function when the Library opened in 1895. The room is not described in any
of the historical accounts of the library primarily because it was not open to the public,
and probably was not a finished space.
Library Alterations to 1909
Purpose
In 1898, the patent collection was moved from its room on the north side of the 2nd floor
(Elliott Room) to a similar sized room in the 2nd floor west wing. The room could be
reached from the courtyard and from the Special Library Floor. At this tme the
Statistical Department was also contained in this room. The Statistical Department
contained the collection of American Statistical Association. In addition, Small’s 1908
handbook reports that manuscripts and broadsides were also kept in this room.”
Physical Description
Architectural Details, Finishes, Fixtures, and Furnishings
On June 16, 1898, Smith & Lovett were contracted for ironwork, presumably to build the
new galleries illustrated in drawings by Jenney & Fox.” In addition to the first gallery, a
second gallery was built at the level of Stack 6. A circular staircase extended from the
main level of the Statistical Room up to the second gallery. The first level gallery was
deep enough on two sides to have rows of bookcases coming out perpendicularly from the
wall instead of flush against it. A photograph of the room, taken after the gallery was
installed, showed bookcases covering the walls below and on the gallery floor (fig. I-67).
When the galleries were added, the lower level of the room was extended north to the
staircase wall, the windows were relocated, and their size was reduced to make room for
the installation of additional windows. Rectangular wooden tables with double-armed
lamps, like those in Bates Hall, were placed on the main level. Small windows on both the
west side and courtyard side of the room naturally lit the room.
In 1902, the Patent Collection was moved again from this room to the former Bindery and
Printing Rooms on the ground floor (fig. I-89). This led to several physical changes. In
1903, the room was refitted and 60 additional electric lamps were installed.“ In March of
the same year a contract was executed for shelving in the Statistical Department.” No
photos have been found illustrating the room at this point in time.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 189
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Special Library Floor
proposal for decorating the “Architectural Library” (as built Music Library), McKim
admitted difficulty in finding funds for the job. In response to a letter from LaFarge
wondering whether his proposal is still being considered, McKim wrote:
In regard to the decoration for the Architectural Library I will do what I can ... I can only regret
once more that you had not reached this decision in Mr. Ames’s lifetime; for all will be more difficult
now than then. To him we looked for a large part of the financial support; and how it will shape
itself now I cannot tell until I have seen Mr. Sargent.™
The only two rooms constructed from McKim’s original design are in the east wing, the
top level of the Bates Hall Reading Room, and the room above the Grand Staircase. As
built, the floor had a large vaulted hall at the top of a straight flight of stairs leading up
from the Venetian Lobby. At the center of the west wall of the hall, up five steps, there
was a room designated the Music Library. There were identical domed rooms at the
north and south ends of the hall. The north room was called the Barton-Ticknor Library,
named for the donors of the collections it housed. It led to a long open reading room
spanning the full width of the building that housed a variety of special collections in the
alcoves on the outer wall. The south domed room was the Fine Arts Library, that led to
the Fine Arts Reading Room, spanning half the width of the building. About halfway
down the south wing, through a wide door, this narrower reading room opened up to a
full width configuration identical to that of the north wing. The entire length of the west
wing was another full width reading room with alcoves housing more special collections.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 192
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Historic Structure Report Sargent Hall
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Sargent Hall
Library as Completed 1895
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
From the Venetian Lobby on the Bates Hall Floor runs a long straight staircase leading to
the two-story hall on the Special Library Floor. The hall, now called the Sargent Gallery
for the painter who decorated it with wall and ceiling murals, is the entry point into all of
the Special Libraries. As built, the staircase had walls of Amherst sandstone, treads and
risers of Yorkshire sandstone, and a railing of Alps green marble. A landing halfway up
the staircase contained a door to a balcony affording a view of Bates Hall from the second
level of the grand vaulted space. In the stair hangs an Amherst stone tablet dedicated to
McKim. A testimonial to McKim is carved in recessed letters outlined in gold. It states:
Charles Follen McKim
1847-1909
Faithful servant of the arts
Incomparable friend to youth
Honored master of his profession
In this building enduringly is revealed
the splendid amplitude of his genius
an inspiration to all men.
Sargent Hall is a two-story space, 84-feet long by 23-feet wide (figs. I-68, I-69, D-23). The
floor was of Yorkshire sandstone, and the wainscot and stair balustrade were built of
Amherst sandstone. The walls above the wainscot were of white plaster. The vaulted
plaster ceiling rested on piers dividing the wall into panels and had three large
rectangular skylights admitting the only natural light into the space. At each end of the
hall and in the center of the west wall were doors leading to the special libraries. Each
door surround was also constructed of Amherst sandstone.
The elevator was on the west wall, and another door symmetrically placed at the other
end of the west wall led to a small space called a lobby. This space connected the Music
Room to the Barton Library. There was no real need for a “lobby” in this location, as one
could enter both of these rooms from the hall. It seems that this small room was created
by virtue of McKim’s strict adherence to a symmetrical plan.
Fixtures and Furnishings
Three large skylights provided natural light for the hall. Wall sconces designed by
Sargent supplied additional lighting.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 194
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Sargent Hall
There were no furnishings in the hall.
Artwork: John Singer Sargent Murals “The Triumph of Religion”
At a-dinner with McKim, Abbey, and St. Gaudens, John Singer Sargent had expressed
interest in decorating the special library for the Spanish Literature collection, but he was
ultimately contracted to paint the Special Library Hall. Primarily a portraitist, Sargent was
an interesting choice for the commission. The 1895 BPL Handbook relates that Sargent
was commissioned around 1890 for the end walls of the hall, and there is correspondence
dating to 1892 regarding specifics of his design. However, his first contract was not
officially signed until 1893. The contract, dated January 18, 1893, indicated that for a fee
of $15,000, Sargent was to provide:
...a series of mural decorative paintings for the space above the height of the door at the two ends of
the Special Library Hall ... including the whole of the two ends of the Hall and the Side walls and
barrel vault to the first pilasters, a distance of about eight feet four inches.’
Sargent’s proposal describes his scheme “The Triumph of Religion,” as a portrayal of
certain stages of Jewish and Christian history.“ Sargent’s scheme for the end walls was
not confined to the flat walls, themselves. Correspondence with McKim indicates that he
actually had a part in the design of the three dimensional architectural details of the
space. He negotiated with McKim to change certain details, and actually redesigned
elements to accommodate his mural design. For example, Sargent pleaded with McKim
to provide a “very accentuated projection at the top of the wainscot” to support the plinth
he would create on which his painted prophets would stand. Sargent wrote:
...1 feel that building up my prophets in this manner is a great feature in my decoration, and I beg
you not to let them be flat on the wall without plinth or moulding below to accentuate their living
oe 442
and realistic character.
Sargent’s scheme, incorporating low reliefs and three-dimensional gold ornaments, was “a
distinct departure from traditions of mural painting,”*” inciting mixed views among the
critics. After portions of the north wall composition were exhibited at the Royal Academy
in England in 1894, an article in the Gazetie reviewed them positively:
Undoubtedly, the achievement of this year’s exhibition is the great lunette and section of a ceiling
exhibited by Mr. J. S. Sargent, and hung in Gallery No. VI. It isan important piece of decorative
painting enriched with gold and gilded ornament in relief, and in places, with jewels. It represents
in vivid allegory the opposing circumstances under which early religion developed itself ... It is
impossible, in a short notice, to do justice to the wealth of thought displayed in this magnificent
3 : . 2 : A 444
piece of decoration, in which a very daring treatment has solved a very difficult problem.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 195
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Sargent Hall
lunettes and edge of the skylights. Structural modifications were necessary to execute
some of these decorative additions.” Of this architectural ornament, Sargent wrote:
I have tried to make a good selection of Renaissance ornament throughout and not do anything that
would irritate the ghost of McKim. With the exception of some hints and warnings from a Belgian
refugee, and architect of the name of Adrien Blomme, I have not consulted any architects, as I felt
that Messrs. Gale & Fox were the only ones that I ought to consult.*”
Sargent’s alterations were some of the most significant departures from McKim’s design
undertaken after his death. Sargent’s admitted consideration of McKim’s design
sensibilities was notable.
Correspondence indicates that the Trustees were getting anxious for Sargent to complete
the work of his contract because almost 20 years had passed since its execution. Taking
on the responsibility of creating architectural detail for the hall surely contributed to
Sargent’s tardiness in finishing, and in April 1914 Sargent wrote a letter of explanation to
the Trustees. In the letter, he apologized for taking so long and assured them that he was
working diligently on the lunettes. He explained that he wanted to send them together
with the three large east wall panels for the full impact.”
Shortly after this correspondence, Edward Robinson, then curator of the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York, assured the Trustees that Sargent could be trusted and that
he was working seven out of twelve months a year to complete the BPL commission.
Robinson had actually visited Sargent, and could personally vouch for the fact that his
work was progressing. Robinson wrote to the Trustees, “Indeed, it was largely if not
wholly owing to his interest in [the BPL murals] that he gave up portrait painting several
years ago, which—as he told me—he found too great an interruption.” That Sargent
was willing to completely sacrifice his portrait painting career, for which he became
famous, must have been assurance to the Trustees that Sargent would fulfill his contract
with them.”
In 1916, in preparation for the installation of the lunettes, repairs were made around and
upon the skylights.” Sargent’s murals for the ceiling vault in the South end, the six
lunettes, and the ceiling medallions were installed that year. The prevailing tones of
these new additions were reds, greens, blues, and grays. As in the end walls, gold was used
generously to highlight both the paintings and the architectural ornament.
Sargent’s architectural endeavors in the hall received praise when the entire scheme was
finally installed. The 1916 Handbook said, “... Mr. Sargent has recognized the
importance of architectural detail as an essential of monumental decoration.” Of the
gold relief ornament on the ceiling, it continued, “The gold ornament thus designed, in
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 200
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Sargent Hall
contrast with the soft cool grays that bespeak the fundamental quality of the walls and
ceiling, sets off the mural paintings with a richly harmonious setting.”*”
The ceiling vault of the south end of the hall contained three groups representing the
mysteries of the Rosary: The five Joyful Mysteries, the five Sorrowful Mysteries, and the five
Glorious Mysteries. The Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries on either side of the vault were in
heavily modeled and gilded frames. The Glorious Mysteries in the center of the vault was
a low relief gold medallion. Outside the panels of the mysteries, were the emblems of the
four evangelists, the figure of Eve, Greek letters, the figure of Adam, and the “Good
Shepherd.” On the wall surfaces in the first bay from the end, Sargent painted the figures
of the Madonna and Child (east) and the Madonna of Sorrows (west). The Madonna of
Sorrows stood on a crescent moon behind a screen of lighted candles in relief.”
There were six lunettes, three on each side of the hall. Three represented Hebrew
themes, and the other three represented Chnistian themes. On the Hebrew side, the
lunettes represent “The Law,” “Gog and Magog,” and “The Messianic Era.” On the
Christian side, they are “The Judgment,” “Hell,” and “The Passing of Souls into
Heaven.”
The ceiling medallions over the lunettes were also painted and modeled by Sargent.
Above the middle lunette on the Hebrew side was the Ark of the Covenant. The modeled
ornament above the medallion was an ox’s head as a burnt offering. Above “Gog &
Magog,” there was a sacrificial goat in the medallion and a seven-branched candlestick
atop. Above “The Messianic Era” there was a seven-branched candlestick in the medallion
and modeled musical instruments above that. On the Christian side, above “Judgment” in
the medallion was the Tniple Crown and crossed Keys of St. Peter. Above that was a
modeled Crown and Palms of Martyrdom. Above “The Passing of Souls into Fieaven”
there was a Byzantine design of two peacocks drinking from a vase and a modeled
Tabernacle of the Eucharist with the wafer. Above “Hell” there was the “I.H.S.,” anda
modeled Chalice of the Eucharist.”
At the ume of publication of the 1916 handbook, the paintings for the east wall were not
yet installed, but the architectural treatment of the walls was finished. There were blue
frames with gold accents modeled onto the wall, but they were filled with drapery where
the murals eventually would be placed. The blue of the frames coordinated well with the
cool gray tones of the stone walls and floor.’ The two paintings, “The Church” and “The
Synagogue,” were uncovered on Sunday, October 5, 1919.*~ Although Sargent had
originally proposed to put a mural in the center panel of the west wall, this was never
executed. “The Synagogue” in a medieval depiction, is portrayed as a blind and
dethroned woman symbolizing the medieval church’s belief that the synagogue had
“forfeited its high place [as the forerunner of Christianity] through its failure to recognize
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 201
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Sargent Hall
the claim of Christ as the expected Messiah.” “The Church” is a hooded woman looking
triumphant, having gained the vision and leadership lost by the Jews."”
Although Sargent’s advocates maintained that the depiction of the synagogue was a
historic medieval portrayal, the Synagogue painting caused a significant amount of
controversy among local and national Jewish constituents. The vision of a fallen,
blindfolded woman was seen as a negative misrepresentation of the religion and its
institution. The main argument of most groups was that this representation was to be put
in a public location funded by public money. Several groups such as the Council of
Jewish Women and the Central Conference of American Rabbis protested the display of
this painting. An excerpt from the statement sent by the American Rabbis group
explained the reasoning:
..- The Executive Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in regular session assembled,
while admitting that the artist has a perfect right, nay, it is his duty, to set down in a pictorial way, his
conception of life, however biased and false it may seem to others, yet it asserts that such a
presentation of the Synagogue is contrary to fact and therefore unjust. It urges that inasmuch as the
picture will hurt a large section of the Community in their tenderest susceptibilities and deepest
convictions, it should not appear in a public institution supported by public taxation. Above all, it
protests against anything with such a clear sectarian bias being given the stamp of approval by a
public institution.
The City of Boston Law Department ruled, however, that the panel could not be legally
removed because it was installed by a charitable trust and could only be modified if the
trust could not be carried out. The circumstances did not warrant a modification of the
475
trust.
Sargent died before completing the entire scheme he had proposed, the only missing part
being the central panel of the west wall. A period of twenty-five years had elapsed from
the time the first installation on the north wall was made until the final two west wall
panels were installed. Sargent’s style changed noticeably from one installation to the next
as evidenced by several critical accounts. The 1921 BPL handbook explains,
Few such records of the progressive development of an artist, engaged upon a single theme exist
anywhere in the world; this room is the expression of the life-work of one of the greatest painters of
modern times.”
In February 1924, “The Synagogue” was damaged by a citizen who threw ink on it. A
report was presented to the Trustees by Mr. H. E. Thompson of the Museum of Fine Arts
in which he submitted a proposal for the removal of the ink without damage to the
picture.”
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 202
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Sargent Hall
Cleaning of the Sargent murals became an issue shortly after the final installation. As
early as 1933, the Examining Committee noted that the Sargent paintings needed
attention recommending that they should be cleaned or treated.*” An undated letter to
the Mayor of Boston, probably from the 1940s, related:
I went to see the Sargent frescoes in the BPL, I remember having seen them 40 years ago, not long
after Mr. Sargent had painted them.
They were so fine and the colour was beautiful in those days. Now I cannot say if the colours have
faded or whether smoke and dirt have covered them but they have lost their colour & brilliance. It is
a great loss to Boston, and I am hoping you will be able to do something about it.”
In response to this letter, the Assistant to the Director of the Library notified the Mayor
that:
We shall indeed wish to do something to accomplish a cleaning of these murals within the period
immediately ahead in order that we may come to the beginning of the observance of our centennial
Anniversary with them in good condition. The last cleaning of the Sargent paintings was done in
1940 under the technical direction of the Art commission of the City of Boston.
We are at present time looking forward to improvement in the lighting of the Central Library
building, following a complete & extensive lighting thus afforded it will be necessary to make certain
ees P Apeer ue . 480
that all of the mural paintings themselves are in as clean and pristine a condition as possible.
Although no records of the 1950s cleaning have been found, a letter criticizing a cleaning
job indicated that they were cleaned, albeit poorly. Mr. R. H. Ives Gammell, in a letter of
resignation from the BPL Centennial Committee, cited the inadequate cleaning job of
the murals as the main reason for his resignation. He expressed his disapproval, thus:
I have just visited the Sargent Hall where I was horrified to find that substantial portions of these
superb decorations have been, in my opinion, damaged beyond possibility of repair. The full extent
of the damage may perhaps be apparent since they were first unveiled in 1916. However, anyone
comparing their present appearance with the photographs available at the library can hardly fail to
be shocked by the changes which have taken place in many important areas notable in three of the
small lunettes which have been to all intents and purposes ruined.™
A final reference to conservation of the murals was found in the 1983-84 Annual Report
that said, “In the opinion of many art experts, the murals by John Singer Sargent were
almost destroyed by previous efforts at restoration.”
A report prepared by the Center for Conservation & Technical Studies, Harvard
University Art Museums in 1986 reported that the Sargent paintings were in structurally
good condition with a “disfiguring layer of dirt on the surface” as well as extensive loose
dust and grime.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 203
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Music Library
Tipe iy Music Library
1990s Restoration Room No.
704
Use/Name Changes of Room
Heliotype Art Room
Early plans Architecture Library
Monograph No plan
1895 Music Library
1897 Music Room
1898 Music Library
1908 Music
1916 Music Room
1929 Treasure Room
1964 Treasure Room
Plan as built in 1895 N>
SPECIAL LIBRARIES
SPECIAL SPECIAL
LIBRARIES. LIBRARIES
TRUSTEES’
ROOM
CONTINUED
FINE ARTS ROOM
BATES HALL. CONTINUED
CENTRAL LIBRARY. SPECIAL LIBRARIES
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 204
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Music Library
Library as Completed 1895
Purpose
The earliest references to this room indicated that McKim originally intended it to be an
Architectural Library dedicated to the memory of Trinity Church architect, H. H.
Richardson. Reportedly, the plan was for several architects in Boston to decorate the
room that would house the Library’s architectural holdings. It is assumed that this plan
was abandoned in 1894 when Bostonian, Allen A. Brown, donated his collection of music
books and scores to the Library. The earliest floor plans that designate the room as
“Music Library” date to 1895. Herbert Small described the collection of over 15,000
volumes as “the most complete musical library in the country, rich in rare scores, and
containing a great amount of historical and biographical material.” Garnsey related
that the collection included over 200 original operatic scores including a complete set of
Wagner’s operas. In addition to books and scores, the collection also included
American and foreign musical magazines and periodicals.*”
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
Entered up a flight of five steps in the center of the west wall of the Sargent Hall, the
Music Library, as built, had a low vaulted ceiling with arches supported by pilasters. The
walls and arches were finished in white plaster. Small indicated that the plain walls would
“probably sometime be covered with decoration,” but in photographs, it appears that the
only decoration was a decorative color scheme differentiating the walls from the other
details.*’ Coffers with rosettes adorned both the large arches at the north and south
sides, and the smaller arches over the windows and niches on the east and west sides. On
the south wall there was a Siena marble mantle with a frieze ornamented with low relief
lions and bears (fig. I-70).
Fixtures and Furnishings
The room was well lit by the three arched windows facing the court on its east wall.
Shades were put on these windows at an early phase in the room’s history. An early, but
undated, photograph shows a chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling and
standard double armed table lamps on the reading tables (fig. I-72). There were also wall
sconces mounted onto the pilasters.
The reading tables were long, oak tables with ornamental feet, similar to those in Bates
Hall. Windsor chairs were placed around the tables. Plain wooden bookshelves were
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 205
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Music Library
placed around the perimeter of the room and extended into the center of the room from
the sides. It appears that some of the bookshelves were stained a natural wood color and
some were painted white. There were also several wooden card catalogue cases
throughout the room (fig. I-71).
Library Alterations to 1909
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
The 1905 Annual Report said that the room was “entirely renovated under the direction
of the Library’s painter.” It is assumed that this means that the room was repainted,
and possibly small repairs were made to the plaster if needed. No major architectural
changes were made in this period.
Fixtures and Furnishings
No changes were reported in the fixtures or furnishings.
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
Purpose
The room served its original purpose as a Music Library until 1929 when it was
transformed into the “Treasure Room.” In 1925, prompted by reports on the fire safety of
the Library’s collections, the Examining Committee requested the creation of a room to
protect the rarest items.” As its name suggests, the Treasure Room was reserved for the
storage of the most valuable holdings of the library, such as the first five folios of
Shakespeare and the Bay Psalm Book, reportedly the earliest book printed in the
American colonies.” It was no longer used as a reading room, but more as an exhibition
space to view these old books. To secure the collection, the room was retrofitted with the
protective cases and fireproofing as discussed below (fig. I-73). The Brown Music
collection was moved into the former Barton Ticknor Room at the north end of Sargent
Hall.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 206
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Music Library
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
Significant changes were made in 1929 to convert the room into a fireproof repository.
All wooden bookcases were removed and steel and bronze “inclusive wall cases” were
installed. These cases were inset into the walls, their glass paned doors allowing the reader
to view the titles of the books inside. The drawings also indicated that two fire resistant
cases were installed.» The reading tables were removed, and free standing permanent
exhibition cases were installed. These cases had a base of pink Tennessee marble with
steel (painted to look like oak) lockable storage cabinets in the bottom, and glass
enclosed viewing cases at the top. All of these steel bookcases and exhibition cabinets are
still extant in the room. A 1928 drawing also details changes in the stone architrave and
plinths to receive a new bronze door frame for fireproof doors to be added behind the
existing door to the space.”
A new marble floor was laid, and an eight-inch high platform was installed in front of the
windows. A desk for the attendant was placed on the platform.
The room, at the time of writing this report is called the Cheverus Room, and is painted
in ivory and shades of tan.
Fixtures and Furnishings
In 1915 the table lamps and catalogue case lamps in the Music Library were replaced with
“semi-indirect fixtures.” As of 1921, there was a piano made by Benjamin Crehore of
Milton in 1800 housed in the Music Library.*”
A photograph taken after the Treasure Room conversion shows new bronze chandeliers
hanging from the center vault and the end bays of the ceiling. Sconces to match these
chandeliers replaced those formerly mounted on the pilasters. All of these lighting
fixtures still remain at the time of the writing of this report, and the windows have
louvered blinds.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 207
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Barton Library
7.3.3.3 Barton Library
1990s Restoration Room No.
705
Use/Name Changes of Room
Heliotype Reserved Bowditch
Early MMW Engravings & Fine Arts
Monograph No plan
1895 Barton Library
1897 Barton Ticknor
1898 Barton Ticknor
1908 Barton Ticknor
1929 Music Room
1959 Music Department
1974 Charlotte Cushman Room
Plan as built in 1895 N=
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SPECIAL LIBRARIES
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= | vueraries LIBRARIES
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MUSIC LIBRARY
GATES HALL. CONTINUED
CENTRAL LIBRARY. SPECIAL LIBRARIES
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 208
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Barton Library
Library as Completed 1895
Purpose
The domed room at the north end of Sargent Hall was reserved to house special
collections. The Barton Collection of English dramatic literature, for which the room was
named, was the major collection kept in this room from the beginning. The collection
contained 14,000 volumes including 1,300 editions of Shakespeare. This large
Shakespeare collection, Small related, was “unequalled in the world, outside of two or
three of the great English libraries.”"*” In 1894, the collection was reportedly valued at
$250,000.*” The other most prominent collection was the Ticknor collection bequeathed
to the library by George Ticknor, a historian of Spanish literature and former president of
the Library. The collection contained between six and seven thousand volumes of
Spanish books. At the opening of the Library, there were three other collections housed
in this room. The Prince collection, including 3,000 volumes relating to the early history
of New England, was formed by Reverend Thomas Prince, a minister of the Old South in
the first half of the 18th century. The Lewis collection also contained about 600 books
relating to New England and Massachusetts. Finally, the Barlow collection of Americana
contained books “almost all of unusual rarity” purchased by the BPL from S. L. M. Barlow
of Brooklyn, New York.”
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
The Barton Library was entered through a leather door at the north end of Sargent Hall.
It was a rectangular room wit: an elliptical domed plaster ceiling (fig. I-74). In each
corner of the flat ceiling around the dome, there was a round niche ornamented with
decorative plaster leaf patterns. The ceiling may have been painted with calcimine,
according to a later specification that recommends re-coating with calcimine. At the
north end of the room, there was a deep alcove of stacks on both the ground floor and
balcony level. The walls of both the lower level and gallery level were lined with
bookcases topped by a decorative plaster cornice. The floor was of the typical terrazzo
found in the rest of the building with a wide border darker than the field in the center.
On the west wall, there were two windows that let light in from the courtyard, and a
leather door that led to the north corridor wing. An oculus at the top of the dome also
provided light to the room.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 209
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Barton Library
Fixtures and Furnishings
The room contained long oak tables and Windsor chairs arranged in two rows. At the
opening of the Library, there was a bronze statue of Sir Henry Vane sculpted by
MacMonnies and donated to the Library by Dr. Charles Goddard Weld. Vane was the
Governor of Massachusetts in from 1636 to 1937. This statue remained here for a few
years and was later placed in a niche in the Entrance Vestibule.
Library Alterations to 1909
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
In 1905 the walls, piers, and ceiling were refinished in a campaign headed by the Library’s
painter.”
An undated photograph, most likely from this period, showed grated doors covering the
shelves on the first level. At the me of the photograph, there was an exhibition of prints
displayed on the doors, but they appear to be permanent (fig. I-75).
Fixtures and Furnishings
In 1897, lights were added inside the rim of the dome (figs. I-75, I-76).*”
As of 1899, there were several furniture additions to the room. These included: George
Ticknor’s mahogany library desk; a large, carved teak able with a marble top; and a heavy
armchair made of wood from the “famous old Elm” that stood on Boston Common.””
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
Purpose
The room held these collections until 1929 when the Music Library was moved in from its
original location off the west side of Sargent Hall. In 1974~75 this room was re-named the
Charlotte Cushman Room
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 210
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Fine Arts Room
At the time of this writing, there are metal free-standing exhibition cases in the Wiggin
Room, which most likely replaced the original wooden cases due to fireproofing
concerns.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 216
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Photographing Room
rhedets Photographing Room, Special Library Floor Gallery
1990s Restoration Room Number
801-804
Use/Name Changes of Room
Heliotype No plan
Monograph No plan
1895 Photographing Room
1946 Office of Curator of Prints
1972 Print Department
Plan as built in 1895 N->
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BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 217
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Photographing Room
Library as Completed 1895
Purpose
At the opening of the Library, the balcony area off the Fine Arts Room gallery was
reserved for the use of photographing prints and manuscript plates from the Fine Arts
collection. Well lit by natural light and located near the Fine Arts Department, this was
an appropriately designated space. Because it was a secondary space, very little
information has been found regarding its history.
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
The Photographing Room was the only self-contained room on this level. It was reached
by ascending the steps at the south end of the Fine Arts Room and turning east on the
gallery level. It received natural light from three large arched courtyard windows on its
north wall. In front of the windows ran a decorative metal railing which is still extant
today. The ceiling was vaulted and supported by piers that divided the space into two
areas (fig. D-26).°”°
Fixtures and Furnishings
There is built-in shelving that was most likely installed originally in the room.
No photos or records of the original lighting or free-standing furnishings were found.
Library Alterations to 1909
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
No information has been found to indicate architectural changes in this time period.
Fixtures and Furnishings
No noted changes in fixtures or furnishings were made.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 218
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Photographing Room
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
Purpose
Post-1945 references to the space call it the “Office of the Curator of Prints.” It was
presumably transformed after the 1941 donation of the Wiggin Collection of prints, for
which additional administration must have been needed. By 1964, the balcony was simply
labeled Print Department. By this time, the Wiggin Room was used primarily as an
exhibition space, leaving most of the storage to be done on the balcony level.
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
Changes were detailed in two sets of drawings, one from 1940 and one from 1948. Today,
the room looks much as the original McKim, Mead & White drawings detailed it,
indicating that no major changes were made at this ume. The replacement of the
terrazzo floor with a rubber tle floor is probably the most significant change recorded on
the drawings.”
At the time of wniting this report, the walls are painted light green and the ceiling is
painted ivory.
Fixtures and Furnishings
Today, two types of hanging fixtures exist in the Print Department. Their installation
date is not known.
The room contains tables and desks used for the Print Department staff and for Library
patrons who wish to view prints in the collection.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 219
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Special Library Floor Corridors
eecede0 Special Library Floor Corridors
1990s Restoration Room No.
706-718
Use/Name Changes of Room
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Monograph No plan
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BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 220
Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Special Library Floor Corridors
Library as Completed 1895
Purpose
The corridors of the Special Library Floor were reserved for housing of special collections
in the alcoves, and for reading in the spans between the alcoves and the large windows
facing the courtyard. One critic wrote that “Students will find large accommodations here
for the quiet pursuit of particular lines of investigation. It is intended to provide
opportunities for particular research in other directions as well.”"* At the time of the
Library opening, the North Corridor was said to house the following collections: John
Adams Collection of 2,800 volumes; Bowditch Collection of mathematical and
astronomical books; Thayer Collection of extra-illustrated manuscripts; Benjamin
Franklin Collection of editions of his writings and publications about his life; and the
Parker Collection of anti-slavery literature. Continuing around to the west corridor were
a Collection of British documents, the American History Collection, and at the south end,
a collection of United States Documents. The South Corridor contained the Fine Arts
Collection and Fine Arts Reading Room.” Other collections that appeared in these
corridors throughout the years included: The 20" Massachusetts Volunteer Memorial
Library of books related to the Civil War and other U:S. wars; the Galatea Collection of
books related to the history of women; the Library of the Boston Browning Society
containing books related to Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning; the Codman
Collection of books on landscape gardening and architecture; and the Artz Collection in
commemoration of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.”
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
The corridors of the Special Library Floor ran around the north, west, and south sides of
the building spanning its entire width from the outside wall to the courtyard wall. A
description of the corridors written before the Library opened simply described the
spaces.
..-an open grating runs down the middle of each of the four long rooms which surround the court;
between the grating and the street will be stored various special collections of books; between the
grating and the court is ample space for readers, lighted by numerous broad and lofty windows; no
better study-room could be desired.™
The corridors were lined on the courtyard side with rows of large arched windows with
radiators covered by grilles beneath. The plaster ceilings were vaulted, supported by
square piers in the center of the space and engaged piers between the windows. The
floors were originally of terrazzo (fig. I-84). Opposite the window wall, on the other side
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 221
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Special Library Floor Corridors
of the piers, there were galleried alcoves containing the stacks. In the south and west
corndors, the gallery floor undulated in a “U” shape in each alcove (fig. I-88), but in the
north corridor, the gallery floor covered the entire first level alcove area. In each case, a
metal railing ran around the gallery floor. The book railway and pneumatic tubes ran
through the galleries of the alcoves. The book elevator that carried the books to the
stacks below was located near the Fine Arts Room.
The finishes in these corridors were simple at the opening of the Library, although it
seems that this was not intended to be the ultimate appearance. Walker predicted that
the ceiling “in future times can be made famous by its decorations as is the loggia of
Raphael, and will recall similar galleries in Italian palaces.”*” The area that came to be
known as the Fine Arts Reading Room, was intended at one point to be an Architectural
Library (718). The space was supposed to be decorated by architects, in memory of H. H.
Richardson.” However, none of this decoration was ever carried out (fig. I-82).
Fixtures and Furnishings
Early photographs of the corridor reading rooms show that they contained the typical
long oak tables and Windsor chairs arranged in rows. The west gallery had flat map files
at each pier.
There were double globed sconces on each of the pilasters and piers running the length
of the corridors. The tables had the typical double-armed desk lamps.
Library Alterations to 1909
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
No significant architectural changes were made to the corridors in this time period. In
1896, there was 2,150 feet of radiating surface added on the floor improving the
conditions for readers.*” In addition, in 1907 the vacuum cleaning system was extended
to include the Special Library Floor.”
Fixtures and Furnishings
No evidence of changes in fixtures or furnishings during this period was found.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 222
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Special Library Floor Corridors
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
Purpose
These corridors always held special collections, but they were moved around in this time
period when other changes were made throughout the floor. Until 1921 the Fine Arts
Department was housed in the south corridor. The 1921 Handbook related that it had
been moved to the West Corridor (where it is today). The old Fine Arts Reading Room
area in the south corridor later became the Science and Technology Department.” In
1929, the Music Department was moved into part of the North Gallery adjoining the old
Barton Ticknor Room.” In 1940 plans, this area in the North Gallery was designated as
the Rare Book Department.” In 1966, the Science and Technology reference collection
was moved from the south corridor to the Patent Room in the west wing. After its move,
the alcove area of the south corridor was closed off and used for storage. The partition
wall closing off the storage area was used as additional exhibition space.
The current configuration seems to have been arranged between 1973 and 1975 after the
opening of the Johnson Building. The West Gallery housed the Fine Arts and Music
Departments. The Rare Books department was moved into the Johnson Building with a
new entrance at the north end of the West Gallery. This corner of the floor was renovated
into the Serge Koussevitzky Exhibition Area.
Physical Description
Architectural Details and Finishes
These changes in collection locations necessitated physical alterations in some cases. In
1927, $250,000 was appropriated for improvements on the third floor. A full set of
drawings prepared by Fox & Gale architects at that time details the changes made. The
North Gallery received the most significant alterations. Bronze gates were installed at the
entrance to each alcove so that collections could be locked up (fig. I-87). In the center of
the long hall, a glazed wood screen was installed to bisect the length of the space. The
end closest to the old Barton Ticknor Room was still a reading room, while the west end
contained many desks and was seemingly an administrative area. The terrazzo floor was
covered with rubber tile at this time as well” There is evidence today of further
alterations made in the North Gallery in 1934. Partitions were erected in the west end of
the gallery to make a small office. Now, only scars remain in the floor ules from where
the partitions were removed.”
In. 1964 there were some additional changes made to all corridors. Specifications fora
contract with ABC Electrical Corp. indicate that a new rubber tle floor and base were to
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 223
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Special Library Floor Corridors
be installed atop the terrazzo floor in the south and west corridors. They were instructed
to provide “latex type underlayment for leveling the floor and to repair any defects that
might interfere with the proper laying of the floor.” The rubber tile was specified as
“1/8" x 9" x 9" homogeneous Rubber Tile in the Marble Series as made by Armstrong or
equal.” In the North Corridor, repairs were made to the plaster, and all materials were
refinished as necessary.”
Fixtures and Furnishings
In 1923, fifteen 300-watt indirect ceiling fixtures were installed in the west corridor (fig.
1.85). The 1928 Annual Report notes more new lights in this corridor that year.””
Fluorescent light fixtures detailed on the 1931 drawings of the West and South Galleries
still exist today.” Photos dated 1929, show hanging fixtures in the North Gallery which
are still extant today (fig. I-86). The exact installation date of these fixtures has not been
found.
In 1964, new box lights and hanging globes were installed in the alcoves.”
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 224
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Stacks
7.3.4 Stacks
Library as Completed 1895
The design of the interior of the Boston Public Library was innovative in many ways. One
of the most original elements of the building’s design was the placement and construction
of the stacks. McKim’s heliotype drawings of 1888 locate the stacks in a U-shape on three
sides of the building—filling half of the north wing, the full west wing, and half of the
south wing on each floor. This design was to hold two million volumes, a number that
Jordy points out was equal to the capacity for the new Library of Congress building. As
the design matured, however, the stacks were limited only to the southwest corner of the
six floors, approximately half of the area of McKim’s original design. The stacks were
ventilated and lighted by windows on both the court side and the exterior shell of the
building.
The new elements of the stack design were twofold. First, their placement in a centralized
block as closed stacks was only just being developed in America, and meant that there
would be a new system for patrons to obtain books from the collection. Second, the
construction of each level as an independent unit was a convention that was slowly taking
root in library architecture, and enabled the eventual reorganization of these spaces for
different uses.
In the old BPL building on Boylston Street and in most libraries around the world at the
end of the nineteenth century, the stacks surrounded the patrons in one large reading
room or in various specialized reading rooms. In the new design, the placement of most
of the collection in a location inaccessible to the public, meant that patrons could no
longer browse the shelves as they were used to doing. Although centralized stacks were
beginning to appear in American libraries in the 1880s, they had not achieved unanimous
acceptance by the library community. William Frederick Poole, the compiler of Poole’s
Index to Periodical Literature and the librarian of the Newberry Library in Chicago, still
advocated the design of a series of individual reading rooms with open shelving. He
publicly criticized the design of the Boston Public Library stacks in an interview published
in the Library Journal.*” Jordy cites Professor John J. Boll, a historian of nineteenth-
century library buildings, as reporting that the Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve was one of
the first libraries to have some semblance of the modern stack in its design, so it is
apparent that McKim again used this building as a source for his design.” It also seems
clear that the program for the building required this type of organization. According to
Jordy, the Trustees specified that the building contain a centralized stack. The Newton
Circuit describes this element of the building design as a primary goal of the program:
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 225
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Stacks
The main idea [of the design] has been to produce a building in which the book stacks shall be
removed from the main hall or delivery room, without hindrance to the promptness and efficiency
of deliveries. This is a decided departure from the original notion of a central hall surrounded by
stacks. This is the first time that the idea has ever been carried out, and if the arrangement
embodied in the new building proves entirely satisfactory it will undoubtedly exert a great influence
on Hoel: construction, as the progress of this work is watched with interest by architects the world
538
over.
This design element was noted in the contemporary literature as an innovation and also
somewhat of a loss in traditional library atmosphere to which the public was accustomed.
In Century Magazine Lindsay Swift wrote that the books “no longer form an important
adjunct to the architectural features, or continue to give an esthetic aid to the minds of
readers long used to the silent dignity of their presence.” In fact, the situation was not
as drastic as he makes it sound. Bates Hall did contain reference books in the shelves
around the perimeter of the room, and the Special Libraries would also retain their
collections within their designated reading rooms.
The pneumatic tube system and book railway used to request and receive books was the
innovative mechanism incorporated by McKim to facilitate smooth delivery of books. The
use of this system involved sending paper requests through a pneumatic tube system to
the designated stack where the book was located. The slip was received by an attendant
who would find the book, send it on the book railway system to the centrally located book
elevator, which would transport the book up or down to the Delivery Alcove behind the
Delivery Room. Another attendant stationed in the delivery alcove would retrieve the
book and deliver it to the patron. These mechanisms are discussed in more detail in
“Delivery Room,” Section 7.3.2.3 of this report.
The second innovation of the stacks was their construction. While they were not built as
true stacks, a shelving system supported on a self-sustaining frame, the stack levels at the
BPL were constructed each as an independent structural unit. Jordy explains that
“McKim placed wooden cases on floors supported by steel beams and tile arches, and
brought to a level surface by a thick layer of concrete.” This design feature became
important as early as 1898 when the interior design of the library began to be altered to
accommodate its changing needs. As the years went on and the needs of the library
changed and grew, stack space was needed for offices and other library uses as well as for
book storage. Because each floor was its own independent unit, walls could be moved
around and book partitions could be moved as needed to create spaces of varying size not
anticipated in the onginal design.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 226
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Stacks
Library Alterations to 1909
Changes to the stack areas occurred almost immediately after the Library opening. By
1898, parts of Stacks 1, 2 and 5 were equipped for administrative uses, and in Stack 2 an
office was created for the Branch Library Distribution department. For example, the
Librarian’s office was moved from its original location behind the Delivery Room to Stack
Level 5 even farther back (see Interior Plan Evolution, Bates Hall Floor). These changes
inevitably meant the loss of book storage space for the creation of office space. The
adaptation of the stacks for other uses also prompted the enlargement of some windows
on the Blagden Street elevation to over double their original width.”
Maintenance also became an issue in the stack area. In 1905 a vacuum cleaning system
was installed in the stacks, and it was extended in 1907 for cleaning of the books and
2
shelves.”
Library Alterations 1910 to 1972
Fireproofing was another concern in the late 1920s, which prompted the Examining
Committee to recommend the substitution of steel shelving for wooden shelving
throughout the library. The shelves were subsequently changed as per this suggestion.
The most major changes occurred after 1942 when the completion of the New England
Book Depository enabled the removal of over 100,000 seldom used books from the stacks
in the library to this storage facility off site. This relocation of the books allowed for the
stack areas to be reused for administrative functions, such as the Cataloguing, Receiving
and Ordering Departments, previously housed in publicly accessible spaces within the
building. For years, the Examining Committee had urged the Library to move these
administrative functions out of their prominent, easily accessible locations off the
Entrance Hall to make room for collections, such as the Children’s Department, that they
believed should be more easily accessible to the public.
In a series of changes orchestrated by Ames, Child & Graves Architects from the mid-
1940s to mid-1960s, many alterations were made to the stack areas, further lessening the
space for book storage. These additions included areas for (1) Personnel Administration:
Personnel Office, In-Service Training Course classrooms, a Staff Library, Staff Hospital,
Coffee Shop, and locker and toilet rooms for staff; (2) Book Selection, Cataloguing, and
Classification Departments for Home Reading & Reference and Research Services
(original Catalogue and Receiving & Ordering Departments), Book purchasing and
preparation, and Book stock for Branch Libraries; (3) Administrative offices; (4) Chief
Librarians of Division of Reference & Research Services and Division of Home Reading &
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 227
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 7.0 Architectural History of the Building: 1895-1972
Historic Structure Report Stacks
Community Services; and (5) Business Offices.”* These changes are detailed on a series
of Ames, Child & Graves drawings from 1946 to 1965."
Currently the stacks are still used for a variety of uses, including book storage of the
library's Research Collection. The Johnson Building now houses open stacks for the
Library’s circulating collection, but in the McKim building, books are still requested by
the patrons on small slips of paper and retrieved by attendants.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 228
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1990s Project: McKim
8.1 Introduction
8.1.1 Background
8.1.2 Restoration Planning
8.1.3. Construction Phases
8.2 Exterior
8.2.1 Dartmouth Street Facade
8.2.2 Blagden Street Facade
8.2.3 Boylston Street Facade
8.2.4 Interior Court
8.3 Interior
8.3.1 Basement Floor
8.3.2. Ground Floor
8.3.3 Stack One
8.3.4 Bates Hall Floor
8.3.5 Special Library Floor
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report
8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
8.1 INTRODUCTION
8.1.1 Background
During the eighty years that the McKim Building functioned as the main public library of
the city of Boston, it had been modified to try to accommodate the library’s expanding
departmental and programmatic space requirements and provide the stack space
required to house the ever expanding collection. These alterations had changed the
appearance and function of many of McKim’s interior spaces.
With the opening of the Johnson Building in 1972, the overcrowding in the McKim
Building was greatly relieved.” The general (lending) library was moved to the Johnson
Building and new stack space enabled fragmented and crowded research collections to be
assembled in more accessible spaces in the McKim Building.*” In the short term, the
freeing of space in the McKim Building also enabled the Library to undertake general
maintenance renovations while they began long-term planning for the restoration of the
McKim Building. is
Between 1973 and 1975, the McKim building underwent improvements including new
lighting and repainting. The Rare Books and Manuscripts Department was equipped with
an independent air conditioning unit and the area formerly used as the staff lounge,
located between the courtyard and the Johnson Building, was painted and prepared to be
opened as the new publication and sales area. The Public Facilities Department oversaw
the cleaning and repainting of the exterior iron and metal work, the painting of various
interior rooms, repairing furniture, and re-plastering of many large areas of deteriorated
plaster in the stacks and corridors of the McKim Building.™”
Beginning in 1979, with much of the reorganization of the Research Library Department
completed, the emphasis shifted to achieving energy efficiency in heat and electricity
usage. Plans were begun to upgrade the heating system, but no changes made. The fiscal
year 1979-1980 represented a year of continued stringent efforts in energy conservation
with substantial reductions in energy usage in the Central Library.”*
The Stull Report also states that the exterior of the building underwent extensive
restoration from 1978 to 1980, though it gives no details about this work.”
In 1981, the Subcommittee on Buildings began to focus on the condition and
maintenance of the McKim and Johnson Buildings. It was agreed that, although the
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 229
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Introduction
McKim building was a fine facility, it would eventually need to be altered to serve the City
and region’s needs.” In 1981, a team of consultants, directed by Stull Associates, Inc. was
commissioned to research and document the original building configuration, the changes
over the years, the present conditions, and to create a restoration program. This project
was funded with the assistance of a matching grant from the National Park Service,
through the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The restoration survey concentrated
on all rooms judged to be of some historical interest including all public spaces, the
Trustees’ Rooms and a number of the staff offices of architectural merit. The final report
from these efforts included an inventory and recommended restoration program or plan
for the public spaces, the artwork, space use, mechanical, electrical and structural systems,
as well as cost estimates and construction sequencing.
The Subcommittee on Buildings, upon reviewing the completed Stull Report, felt that
there might not be the needed funds to fulfill all the requested or recommended
renovations. The Committee, therefore, set forth an order of priorities. First and
foremost was the replacement of the mechanical and HVAC systems that were determined
to be out of date and a hazard. Secondly, the building would need to be renovated to
comply with current safety requirement codes. Thirdly, the exterior of the building
would need to be made weather-proof and tight. Lastly, an improved natural connection
and accessibility between the McKim and Johnson buildings left much to be desired and
would require further study and implementation to increase the visibility and the interest
in the McKim building and its collections. It was suggested that since city funds might not
be adequate to cover the entire cost of the renovation program, perhaps the outstanding
art and architectural elements requiring work would be attractive and appropriate for
private funding. Discussions of the Trustees also touched on the need to consult expert
professional conservators with regard to any work undertaken on the murals or other
ornamentation.”
The Report of the Examining Committee for the Fiscal Year 1983-84 concurred that all
the departments in the McKim building were dealing with antiquated HVAC systems and
that the building posed “a major threat to its collections.” It was noted that water was
dripping onto bookshelves as well as inside walls and windows. Inadequate lighting was
noted as being a constant problem throughout the building, particularly in the third floor
Sargent Gallery (703), Print Department (801-804), and Humanities Reference
Department (705). Restrooms were targeted as needing substantial work since they were
in deplorable condition. The Committee stated that although $12,500,000 had been
made available by a loan from the City, it was felt that this amount would be insufficient to
cover the expenses outlined in Stull’s extensive report written three years earlier. It was
urged that every effort be made by the appropriate library and City officials to get the
restoration program immediately underway since with each day that passed without
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 230
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Introduction
Zone 1: Areas to be Restored
Most Architecturally Significant Features and Spaces
Areas designated as Zone | are the most architecturally significant spaces
and features of the Boston Public Library building. They contain the best
preserved building fabric, are most representative of McKim’s design for
the building, and are most frequently viewed by the public.
All work carried out in these spaces should preserve or restore their
historic appearance. Prior to initiating restoration work, thorough
historical research and materials analysis should be undertaken to guide
restoration decisions. Alteration, removal, or replacement of significant
architectural features should not be permitted. New mechanical systems
should be integrated so that they do not detract from the appearance of
the original building fabric.
Zone 1 includes:
e Exterior walls and roof
e Interior court
e Entry Hall (210)
e Grand Staircase Hall (207)
e Second Floor Corridor with Puvis de Chavannes Paintings (403)
e Bates Hall (405)
e Delivery Room/Abbey Room (401)
e Elliot Room (407)
e Trustees’ Room (610)
e Sargent Gallery (703)
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Zone 2: Areas to be Preserved
Secondary Contributors to the Architectural Significance of the Building
Areas designated as Zone 2 are also significant architectural spaces;
however, these spaces are smaller in size and simpler in detail and finish.
As in Zone 1, these spaces should be restored and preserved. Where new
elements are required, or the restoration of original materials is not
possible, new materials and elements should match the original in scale
and appearance.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 232
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Introduction
Zone 3:
Zone 4:
Zone 2 includes:
e Newspaper Room (218)
e Government Documents (214-216)
e Microtext (202)
e Catalogue Room (406)
e Science Reference (410)
e Cheverus Room (704)
e Cushman Theater (705)
e Wiggin Gallery (702)
Areas to be Rehabilitated
Minor Contributors to the Architectural Significance of the Building
Areas designated as Zone 3 are less significant architectural spaces. They
contain fewer architectural details and are not the building’s principal
public spaces. In rehabilitating these spaces, significant McKim details
should be preserved and new finishes and uses integrated that do not
compromise their original design.
Zone 3 includes:
e Trustees’ Conference Room (611)
e Special Libraries (706-718)
e Print Department (801-804)
Areas Available for Redesign
Areas designated as Zone 4 contain few, if any, significant architectural
elements, either because they were originally unfinished spaces or because
they have been so altered that their architectural significance has been
destroyed. New materials need not match any existing materials found in
these spaces, however, they must be compatible with the historic building
materials found in the other more architecturally significant spaces.
Zone 4 includes:
e Basement <
e Stacks
e Administrative Offices
Service Areas
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 233
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Introduction
8.1.3 Construction Phases
As originally conceived, the restoration of the McKim Building was to be divided into
three phases. Phase I, which began in 1991, was to upgrade the mechanical systems,
modernize the elevator systems, remodel the basement for public use, and restore the
Grand Staircase Hall and Entry Hall.” It also included asbestos abatement, which was
performed by Hygeia, Inc.” This phase of work, which concentrated on the building’s
systems, was intended to lay the ground work for the future restoration of the building
and provide a glimpse of the dramatic visual impact of restoring the historic McKim
spaces—Grand Staircase Hall and Entry Hall. Phase I work also included the creation of a
“Tea Room” and “Bookstore” on the Boylston Street side of the ground floor. Although
constructed during Phase I, the “Tea Room” and “Bookstore” rooms continue to be used
for library space, while other spaces are renovated.
The major spatial use changes implemented during Phase I was the remodeling of the
basement for public use. Access to the basement is provided by a new stair located under
the Grand Stair. (This space formerly housed the McKim Building’s Mechanical Room
and could be entered from a door in the interior court. With the renovation, this door
became a window that looks out into the interior court.) The basement spaces were
remodeled with a center hall, with public lavatories and library research
collections—Government Documents and Science Reference
Departments—symmetrically placed on its north and south sides.
Phase II work began in October of 1996 and was scheduled to be complete by the spring
of 1998. Its original scope included the following: restoration of the public rooms on the
Bates Hall floor (except the Abbey Room), the renovation of the stacks and office spaces,
and the remodeling of the northwest rooms on the ground and Bates Hall levels to create
new passages between the McKim and Johnson Buildings. The repair of the arcade and
main roofs and the wood window sash were also originally included as Phase II work,
though the main roof and most of the window repair were eliminated due to cost over-
runs. The work in the original Phase II contract is nearing completion as this Historic
Structure Report is being completed (summer of 1998). Bates Hall was completed on a
fast-track and reopened in September of 1997.
Rather than moving onto Phase III of the project, additional phases of Phase II have been
created. Phase IIA, which is currently in progress, includes the repair of additional
windows. Phase IIB will include the restoration of the courtyard and the repair of the
main roof. This work is currently scheduled for the summer of 1999. Phase IIC will
include the remaining interior and exterior restoration work (including the Ground
floor-south, Abbey Room, and Special Library Floor). A request for proposals for the
architectural services to perform this work is presently being reviewed.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 234
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Exterior
8.2. EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING
The majority of the work involved in the various periods of restoration have focused on
the interior spaces and their finishes. However, as interior conditions have been assessed,
those affected by the deterioration of the exterior material have required the
coordination with restoration and repair of necessary exterior elements, such as the roof,
windows and masonry. In most situations, the work executed on the exterior facades and
roof has been simple maintenance and repair or in kind replacement.
8.2.1 Dartmouth Facade
In 1995, the platform along the Dartmouth Street facade was substantially repaired with
the installation of a new waterproofing system.
During Phase II, in coordination with the restoration of Bates Hall, the existing copper
rosettes at the intersections of muntins on the large arched windows were removed,
restored, reinstalled and repainted, and the existing wood windows were modified,
restored and re-glazed with insulated glass.
8.2.2 Blagden Facade
During the restoration work of Phase II, the existing marble panels in the large arched
window openings were all replaced with new marble infill panels. In addition, the
existing copper grilles were removed, restored and reinstalled at all locations. These
grilles were also repainted to match the restored windows. The rosettes at all windows
were restored as they were on the main Dartmouth facade. Some existing windows were
also restored.
8.2.3 Boylston Facade
Phase II work on this facade called for the initial investigations of the arched windows.
The existing marble and grout layer were removed to expose the masonry substrate,
fastening, edge, sill, window and other areas that could have conditions that affect the
installation of new elements. New marble infill panels that were installed matched the
existing at all marble panel locations. In addition, the existing copper grilles were
removed, restored, repainted and reinstalled to match all the windows. Some existing
windows were also restored.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 235
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Exterior
8.2.4 Interior Court
In addition to the major reorganization and relocation of the Research Library
Department shortly after the opening of the Johnson Building, attention was turned
towards the replanting plans for the central courtyard. Members of the Garden Club of
the Back Bay began working on the first phase of restoring the courtyard to its original
format—a formal, Renaissance cloister garden. Plans included introducing bright
splashes of color through begonias and geraniums to evoke a cheerfulness characteristic
of the Italian formal garden.””
While the plans for the Phase II work make note of work on the roof, cheneau, iron
grilles, gutters, and flashing, this work is labeled as N.I.C. (not in contract). Phase II
work, which was executed at the time of writing this report, included only work at the
arcade and balustrade—the installation of new lead-coated copper flashing, the raking
and repointing of all defective joints, the rebuilding and cleaning of the marble
balustrade along the promenade, and the installation of new Pennsylvania slate pavers on
pedestals on the balustrade level. The arcade roof received a new waterproofing system
consisting of a new PVC membrane system with insulation and new through-wall flashing.
New granite steps and thresholds were installed and entryways and a new painted steel
guard rail similar to the window grilles at the courtyard level were installed just inside the
balustrade. Windows at the balustrade level were modified (sills raised to higher
elevation) and restored. Other windows in the project work area were also modified,
reglazed with insulated glass, stripped and repainted.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 236
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Basement Floor
8.3 INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING
8.3.1 Basement Floor
Only a few descriptions of the basement level spaces and the main basement stair have
been found in the historic drawings or photos. What does exist, indicates that this space
was used historically to house the majority of the mechanical systems, in addition to
stacks. The'1950’s Open Shelf Department in the southeast corner of the Ground Floor
extended to the basement where a poetry corner, a smoking area and soundproof
listening booths were housed. This basement level public room was reached via a new
stair that was added on the north wall of room 202 (original Catalogue Room) during
these 1950s changes. In the 1960s, Ames & Graves recognized that this level could be
successfully used to house additional services. The men’s and women’s lavatories were
relocated in the area that is currently the stair hall lobby (B12). Book sorting was also
moved to the basement level, where the main basement stairs are currently positioned.
Before this new stairway was created, the basement was accessed through the elevator and
a series of small staircases. The Phase I work converted much of this usable basement
space into public reading and reference rooms and discretely introduced new mechanical
and sprinkler systems.
Government Documents Work Room (B01)
According to the Phase I plans, the alterations to the area presently referred to as the
Government Documents Work Room included: replacement of the existing plaster walls
with new gypsum wall board on 7/8 inch furring channeling and; new carpeting replacing
the rubber tile on a new concrete slab floor. The existing acoustical tile ceiling was
retained.
Corridor (B01a)
In this area during Phase I, new white and black rubber tile was installed as replacement
for the existing concrete and brick flooring. New acoustical tiles were suspended from
the concrete and Guastavino tile ceiling. New gypsum wall board and flush metal fire
doors were also installed.
Government Documents Office (B01b)
During Phase I, this space received new carpeting that replaced the pre-existing rubber
tile flooring. Gypsum wall board also replaced the original plaster walls.
Blagden Tunnel (B02)
The rubber tile flooring was removed and replaced with concrete in this area during the
Phase I work. In addition the plaster wall and ceiling surfaces were removed to expose
the existing granite, brick and Guastavino tile structural materials.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 237
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Basement Floor
Government Documents (B05)
Phase I work for the Government Documents Room included laying new tweed carpet
with a solid border (to replace the existing rubber tile) on the new concrete slab floor
that has new HVAC ductwork beneath it; installation of new oak casework with adjustable
shelving; installation of new quarter-sawn oak plywood paneling on walls and columns
with oak cap and base; installation of new oak service and information counters; and
installation of new electrical wiring with a system panel and several floor boxes with brass
plates. Above the oak casework, a low spring vaulted ceiling was finished with textured
plaster and painted metal vents. There were also eight new half-round globe ceiling-hung
light fixtures installed at each bay and a new built-in electrical clock on the east wall. Also
included in the work was the positioning of seven free-standing steel shelves, the
installation of sprinklers, and recessed lighting over the service desk and entryway on the
north wall.
Elevator Lobby (B06)
During the Phase I work, this area received new marble floor pavers and thresholds, a new
l-inch projecting limestone base, cap, and walls, new plaster ceiling, new ceiling-mounted
and wall-mounted light fixtures, a new green marble and bronze drinking fountain, and
new oak phone enclosures. In addition, a new decorative bronze elevator and janitor’s
closet doorway were installed.
Stair Hall and Lobby (B12, B08, B11, B18, B19)
The central lobby and corndors on this level were also substantially altered in Phase I
since they were now to be open to the public. In those areas that remained closed from
the public, such as corridor B18, new acoustical tile ceilings were suspended from the
existing Guastavino vault. New 5/8 inch gypsum wall board with plaster veneer was
installed on the walls and rubber tile was installed on the floors. In B12, the basement
stair vestibule or lobby, new marble floor pavers were laid with 12 types of marble. A
newbronze stair rail; limestone bases, walls, and cap; and six new ceiling hung lighting
fixtures were installed. Glass exhibit cases with flush bronze framing were installed in the
niches or recesses on the north and south walls with bronze woven wire mesh to fill the
arches. The stair itself was given an entirely new structure and was renovated with new
marble treads, risers, stringer base and landing, and plaster pilasters. In addition to the
six hanging light fixtures in the side bays, four new torchieres were placed adjacent to the
large piers in the central bay and two wall-mounted fixtures were installed on either side
of the door to Science Reference and Government Documents.
Science Reference Room (B15)
The Phase I work done in this space correlated to that done in the Government
Documents Room. A new carpet with border (replacing the existing terrazzo) was
installed on a new concrete slab floor that had new HVAC ductwork beneath it. This
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 238
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Ground Floor
8.3.2 Ground Floor
Original Catalogue Room / New Microtext Storage (202)
The SBRA 1990 plans for Phase I indicate the removal of the stair between the basement
level and ground floor and the removal of the dumbwaiter, shaft, and all related
equipment from the basement level up to and including the mezzanine of the ground
floor. The floor and ceiling were enclosed and patched to match the existing
surrounding finishes and new floor penetrations were made for HVAC ductwork and
future floor grilles.
Basement Stairs and Corridors (206, 208, 207)
Given the symmetry seen throughout the McKim building, it is no surprise that there are
matching corridors leading to a central basement stair. However, what is visible now is
not part of McKim’s original design. Currently, the staircase to the basement level is
located directly under the grand stair. However, in 1980, prior to any restoration work,
the rooms presently referred to as 206, 207, and 208 were not corridors and a stairway.
Instead they were called a “Member’s Workroom” and “Graphics Department.” The
basement level was reached by several small private staircases.
SBRA’s Phase I plans involved major alterations to this area. At the time that the corridor
spaces were converted into an office space, a cast-in-place reinforced-concrete slab floor
was constructed, projecting out of the vaulted ceiling over the staircase. This construction
included suspended plaster ceilings, partitions, and other built-in elements. This work
also entailed removing the concrete floor slab and portions of the Guastavino barrel vault
ceiling, partitions, suspended ceilings, and striping the plaster back to the brick or unit
masonry furring. A new Guastavino dome and arches were constructed to match the
Guastavino dome at the opposite corner, where the north basement corridor and the
basement staircase connect. The new Guastavino dome received a glazed tile finish that
matches the tile of the existing dome. A new marble floor was installed in both corridors,
along with new marble treads, risers, stringers, and landings at the basement stairs. A new
bronze railing was installed down the center of the stair as well as along both walls. New
plaster was installed on the walls. The doors and transom centered on the west wall were
removed and replaced with a marble reveal and surround. In addition to a new hanging
light fixture at each landing, new wall mounted light fixtures were added on both the
north and south walls of the staircase and in the corridors.
Vestibule (209)
The 1990 SBRA Phase I plans and specifications called for the removal and salvage of the
two bronze handrails, installed in the 1950s during the Milton Lord renovations, and
necessary patching in the floor pavers with marble and mortar to match the color of the
existing marble pavers. The rest of the marble floor was cleaned and restored. New
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 240
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Ground Floor
decorative floor grilles were installed where new floor penetrations were made for the
new HVAC units. On the east wall, new wooden doors and frames were installed at the
three openings. The marble cornice, vaults, arches, sculpture panels, walls and base were
all cleaned. The MacMonnies bronze statue of Sir Henry Vane and the Daniel Chester
French bronze relief doors received conservation treatment.”
Entrance Hall (210)
The 1990 floor plans for Phase I called for the removal and salvage of the 1950 brass
handrails in the Entrance Hall. In addition, the built-in desks and the exhibit cases in the
four niches were to be removed.” Plans specified the cleaning of the marble floor and
the removal of existing floor boxes, hardware or other conduits. Scars, made from the
removal of these elements in the marble floor pavers, were patched with new marble
infills set in colored mortar to match the original existing marble color. As part of this
work, an artist documented, removed, and replicated the severely worn bronze intarsia
inlays. The new bronze inlay design along with new marble panels was installed in the
original layout matching the color and design exactly. It seems that when the Entrance
Hall was altered per Lord’s direction, two zodiac signs, Aries and Cancer, were relocated
to the base of the grand stair. This is because the two book charging desks that were
installed directly inside the entry doors covered these two marble panels at the corners of
a square layout. In order to keep the signs of the zodiac design complete, these panels
had to be moved. The spaces that were left behind were patched with a concrete fill
rather than with marble. With the removal of these desks, SBRA specified the restoration
of these two bronze inlays to their original location. At this time the rest of the marble
floors were cleaned.
When the Lord changes were made, the small square spaces between the Entrance Hall
and the basement stair corridors were closed up with partitions, doors, and counters.
Asphalt tiles or carpeting was laid down. The 1990 Phase I plans called for the removal of
all partitions, doors, or counters, the removal of the floor coverings, and the installation
of new 12-inch square marble floor pavers to match the marble floor in the north
corridor.
Ground Floor Corridors (203, 205, 211) .
The Phase I plans called for the removal of the existing HVAC units in both south and
north corridors and their replacement with new floor penetrations and new decorative
metal floor grilles. The work during the phase included the repair of the 12-inch square
marble tile floor in the north corridor. The existing terrazzo floor minus the marble
border stones in the south corridor was replaced with new 12-inch square marble pavers
that match those in the north corridor. The decorative painting on the plaster wall
surface above the marble dado was cleaned to determine the original paint scheme. The
walls were then repainted with the original Pompeiian motif in red, yellow ochre, and
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 241
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Ground Floor
olive green. An area of the original soiled paint was retained on the south wall of the
north corridor to illustrate the contrast between the condition of the restored and
original paint. New historic quarter-sawn oak doors were installed along the north
corridor. All the marble dado and door surrounds were cleaned, and new hanging light
fixtures were installed.
The elevator lobby, which is located in the south corridor just off the Entrance Hall, had
been altered over the years with the installation of wall-mounted display case, phone
booths, and a drinking fountain. The original terrazzo floor with marble border
remained until 1990, as did possibly the original elevator cab. However, Phase I plans
specified the removal of the elevator enclosure and the installation of a new two-hour
rated enclosure and a new cab and the replacement of the terrazzo floor with new 12-inch
white marble floor pavers and rose marble border. The display cases, phone booths, and
drinking fountain were all removed as well.
Original Lavatory/New Bookstore (212 & 213)
Prior to the restoration work, this area was the location of the women’s and men’s
lavatories.
Original Periodical Reading Room / New Catalogue Room (214)
During the 1990s, the Government Documents Department was moved into an area that
had previously housed the original Periodical Reading Room. In preparation for
receiving the Government Documents Department, this area was freshly painted and the
terrazzo floor cleaned and polished. The brick fireplace, long covered, was exposed. The
two adjacent rooms, formerly the Periodical Reading and Reference Rooms (215, 216),
were converted to work and stack space for the Government Documents Department.”
This room is at present being used as the Catalogue Room. The Government Documents
Department was moved back to its original location (B05) after completion of Phase I
restoration. As part of the Phase I restoration, the Rooms 215 and 216 were converted
into the Information and Tea Room, respectively.
The 1990 SBRA plans specified the removal of casework, the built-in southwest doorway,
and the built-in service desk and shelves. The existing terrazzo floor was removed and
replaced with a new marble floor with floor penetrations for new HVAC and decorative
metal floor grilles. Plans also called for a new spiral stair and modified landing in the
northwest corner to provide access to the existing balcony and matching the one in Room
406 (original Children’s Room). However, this was never built, and a straight stair was
installed instead. Existing bookcases and wall sconces were removed from the north wall.
On both the north and east exterior walls, the existing plaster was removed and replaced
by new textured plaster applied to new metal lath over new insulation and vapor barrier.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 242
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Ground Floor
New rectangular grilles were added beneath the windows on the north wall along with
new brick dado at piers and pilasters. The existing chandeliers were refurbished and
relocated in the eight central bays. The existing book elevator on the east wall was closed.
The Phase I plans also called for the installation of new insulated double-glazed windows
with UV filtering with the outer glass set in the existing wood frame.
Original Current Periodical Room / New Information Room (215)
This room is among the most changed in the past decade. The 1990 Phase I plans called
for the removal and salvage of the existing wood balcony and stair that wrapped around
the east, south, and west walls. This was necessary because it was specified that a new
partition wall be built on the north side of the room. This wall was to contain new frosted
glass in new wood frames matching the existing window dimensions and positions on the
original north exterior wall. The plans also called for new brick dado to match existing,
new textured plaster, new brick arches, and central oculus with built-in electric clock. On
the south wall, two new doors were installed, one in the existing opening (west) and one
in a new opening (east). The new doorway included a new frame to match the opposite
opening with a wedge-shaped brick flat arch and sandstone corner blocks. The existing
grilles on the east and west walls were removed and new brick was toothed in to match the
existing brick. Floor penetrations with new decorative floor grilles were installed. The
glazed door into the Catalogue Room (214) is new. The bronze wall-mounted light
fixtures were installed at this time on the east and west walls. The chandelier was
relocated from Room 216 to this room to make way for the installation of the chandelier
from the Grand Staircase Hall. The painted finish on the coffered terra cotta ceiling was
removed.
Original Boylston Street Driveway / New Tea Room (216)
It is likely that during the changes made under Milton Lord’s direction, rubber tile was
put down on the floor. In 1981, the Stull Report recommended its removal and the
repair or replacement of the original terrazzo floor. However, during the 1990 changes, a
new marble floor was installed, along with new marble dado, base, and door surround on
the east wall. The walls received new plaster base and skim coats with a new lighting
molding recessed into the existing plaster with concealed wiring beneath a new wooden
picture molding. The Phase I plans called for new glazed doors to be installed on the east
wall with a 1/4inch marble raised panel above. However, due to the current use of the
room these doors are not in place. The domed plaster ceiling has a large central globe
chandelier that dates to the 1950s. At the time of this writing, the plaster and paint in this
dome were already showing signs of deterioration and failure. On the north wall where
the three large openings suggest the original use of this room as the porte cochere, the
existing glass panels, doors, and fanlight received minor repairs. The hardware of the
small central sash of each fanlight was removed and the lights fixed.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 243
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Ground Floor
These changes were all made with the intention of converting this space from its current
use as a Periodical Room toa Tea Room. These changes in use prompted the changes in
the room next door (215). In order to make use of eating/drinking facilities, there
would need to be a support room adjoining the space to accommodate the service needs.
Room 216a, the Tea Room Support Space, was created by splitting the Current Periodical
Room (215) next door with the installation of a partition. This produced a small “galley”
kitchen along the exterior wall that opens out to the “Tea Room.” Within this space there
is a Stair to the basement and new food service equipment, new dumbwaiter, new stainless
steel ductwork, new HVAC, and new fan coil units (FCUs), along with new finish materials
like plaster, quarry tile floor and base, and light fixtures. Needless to say, these changes
have greatly altered the original appearance of this room.
Original Bindery / New Newspaper Department (218)
Phase II work in this space will involve substantial changes to make this room the New
Newspaper Department. They include the removal of the existing spiral stair to the
mezzanine, the existing dumbwaiter to the basement, the existing desk and newspaper
slots, the existing center partition, and the existing door and wall in 218a. The existing
wood balcony is to be refurbished, as are the existing wood cabinets. There will be new
wood newspaper cabinets, new metal shelving with metal end panels, new carpet and
electrical floor boxes, new marble stools and decorative grilles at window openings, and
new FCUs. The existing spiral stair will be replaced with a new metal straight stair having
14 risers. A new wall will be built to the center of the column and underside of the cross
beam. There will be new marble bases at the plaster walls and at the columns.
The Newspaper Room cabinets will consist of 1-inch by 3-inch strapping attached to the
wall, 3/4inch oak veneer particle board, 1/2-inch oak veneer plywood with edge banding
and solid oak molding and trim. The base will be marble. The Reference desk will have a
new framed opening to the stacks, a wood veneer counter top with solid wood edges
finished to match the balcony.
The mezzanine level of the Newspaper Room will have a new dumbwaiter, new work
counter with plastic laminate finish, new free-standing metal bookstacks with wood stile
and rail end panels at the end of each row. These bookstacks will be approximately 36
inches wide and 66 inches high. There will also be new bookcases built into the
perimeter walls on the east and west sides with lights mounted on the top of the entire
length of the bookcases.
The room will have new historic light fixtures suspended from the vaulted ceiling. On the
east wall there is an existing door opening leading into the Elliott Room. A new metal
railing with a cherry wood handrail will be installed at the stair. On the north wall the
existing decorative metal grilles will be removed, refurbished, and reinstalled with the
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 244
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Ground Floor
new FCUs along this wall. The windows will have new plaster with a splayed finish at the
reveals and new marble stools. There will be new newspaper cabinets along the south and
east walls.
Original Newspaper Files Room / New Northwest Corridor (223)
The area of the McKim building historically known as the Newspaper Files Room received
substantial attention during Phase II of the 1990s restoration. This area is the general
ground floor link between the McKim Building and the Johnson Building and, therefore,
it was the intention of the following alterations to provide a clear and open passageway
between the key areas of the two buildings. The demolition of this space included
removing all interior masonry walls and the masonry partition and door on the north wall,
removing the existing floor slab and structure, cutting a new opening in the north wall,
removing the existing plaster the full height and length of the north wall, and removing
the existing steps, posts, railings, and platform of what was the West Service Stair. These
stairs were removed completely down to the basement. The coverings of the four central
columns were stripped. The demolition called for the removal of masonry walls and
floors in this space from the Ground floor through Stack 3, doubling the original height
of this space to an elevation of 22 feet, 1-1/4 inches. A new metal elevator enclosure was
installed on the north wall between the McKim and the Johnson Buildings, and the west
service staircase was rebuilt. The stairway was finished with marble walls, ceiling, stair
treads, and landing. There are light fixtures at each landing. Finishes in the Northwest
Corridor include new plaster walls with marble dado. The center columns were fitted
with reinforced plaster covers. Plaster niches with marble sills were created over the doors
on the north and south walls. In addition to the new stairs, elevator cab, and handicap
lift, two new drinking fountains, new smoke detectors, and sprinklers were added. The
lighting consists of new custom lights in the center of each square of the new plaster
coffer ceiling. Two new ceiling hung light fixtures similar to the chandelier in the “Tea
Room” (1950s Grand Stair chandelier) were installed.
The new entry from Room 223 to the Newspaper Department (218) incorporates new
marble frame and wood doors.
Microtext Department (225, 226, 230, 235)
During the Phase II work in Room 225, the existing level 3 floor was removed to make the
area open to above. In addition, an existing door and frame, partitions, and windows
were removed. New smooth plaster walls, pilasters, and cornice were installed on all wall
surfaces while new rigid insulation with a vapor barrier was adhered to the existing
exterior (east) wall. The upper windows will have new splayed sides and bottom in a
smooth plaster finish. A new marble base was installed, and the vaulted ceiling was
finished with a rough acoustical plaster.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 245
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Ground Floor
Room 226 underwent some alterations during the Phase II work. These changes included
the installation of new wood shelves on the east and southwest walls, the removal of
existing partitions, and the removal of an existing door and frame. New gypsum wall
board, vinyl bases, and typical stack lights were also installed. During this work, reading
carrels were developed in the space between rooms 225 and 226. These carrels have a
solid wood desktop surface that is 2-feet, 6-inches deep, new plaster walls on either side,
and a low partition separating each carrel bay. The low partition has a 3/4inch solid
wood backsplash that is carried around on the three sides of the desktop with a 1/3-inch
solid wood reveal, and the partition is capped with a 1 1/2-inch by 5 5/8-inch solid wood
cap. This area also has new marble bases and a new plaster ceiling.
Room 230 had five new FCUs installed on the south wall during Phase II, as well as a new
sink, counter, and shelving on the west wall and a low partition with plastic laminate
countertops on either side.
Phase II work for Room 235 included the installation of two new wood paneling on the
west wall and adjustable shelves with wood countertops at the service counter and against
the south, north, and east walls. New smooth-finish plaster was added on the walls above
the new oak casework. New bronze grilles were installed at the pilasters where FCUs were
added. An existing wall and door in the middle of the room, anda new stand up
reference desk were removed.
The corridor that connects these rooms in the Microtext Department also underwent
some changes during the Phase II work. These alterations included the removal of the
existing partitions and interior windows and patching of all existing plaster where
demolition had occurred.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 246
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Stack One
Stair 6
The existing railing was removed and replaced with a new | 3/8-inch pipe handrail
during the work of Phase I. New rubber tle flooring was installed at this time, as was the
new standpipe.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 248
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Bates Hall Floor
8.3.4 Bates Hall Floor
Grand Staircase Hall (Stair 1)
The work in this area in the Phase I scope included the replacement of the glazing in the
existing wood frame windows with new stops, stripping paint from the window frames, and
repainting. All marble surfaces were cleaned. The Puvis de Chavannes murals and their
wood frames were restored, and the lion statues including the shield relief and lettering
on their bases received conservation treatment by a statuary conservator (Appendix 11.9).
The stair treads, risers, and platform landings were all cleaned, and the rubber treads
were removed from the bottom two steps. The existing light standards on the landings
were all refurbished. The largest alteration to this area during the phase of work was the
installation of a new chandelier. The large globe fixture that was installed during Lord’s
1950s alterations was found to be inappropriate given the academic nature of the
restoration of this area. The replacement fixture, although not original, is styled
appropriately from the same period. Historic photos, however, do not show a hanging
light fixture in the Grand Staircase Hall.
Delivery Room a.k.a. Abbey Room (401)
In 1975, while departments were being reorganized as a result of the opening of the
Johnson Building, Research Library Catalogues were moved out of the Abbey Room and
relocated in the Elliott Room. With this move completed, the Abbey Room was restored
to its original state and continued to serve as the delivery point for books from the
Research Library stacks. Restoration work included cleaning and polishing the marble
floor and refinishing the woodwork. It was at this time that the ornately carved teakwood
antique table with pink marble top was placed in the center of the room, although
currently it is located in the Venetian Lobby. This table apparently was the library table of
Antonio Panizzi of the British Museum from 1856 to 1877 and was presented to former
BPL trustee, George B. Chase.
In 1981, Stull Associates noted in their room-by-room survey that changes had only been
made in lighting and with the doors. The pigskin-upholstered doors into Bates Hall had
been removed or altered, and the double oak doors to the Pompeiian Lobby were
replaced with glazed doors around 1963. Over the years an addition was made to a single
window on the South wall, as well as lighting changes to illuminate murals in this dark,
“medieval” or “English manor” room.
Pompeiian Lobby (402)
The Pompeiian Lobby includes the elevator lobby. In the Phase I scope of work the
elevator enclosure was removed and replaced with a new 2-hour rated fire enclosure. It is
not certain if the original elevator was extant at the time of replacement. The small
janitor’s closet beside the elevator shaft was equipped with a new FF standpipe with a Fire
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 249
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Bates Hall Floor
Department valve and extinguisher. The SBRA drawings and specifications called for the
replacement of the original lion-head fountain spout. However, this does not appear to
have been done. The partition in the niche overlooking Stair 2 was removed and the
opening patched to match the surrounding finish where necessary. The light fixture
from the existing landing was refurbished and relocated, and the existing wood doors to
the Abbey Room (401) were modified. The sandstone panel over the doorway to the
Abbey Room and the paintings on the wall surfaces were conserved (Appendix 11.9). All
the marble and sandstone surfaces were cleaned.”
Puvis de Chavannes Gallery (403)
In 1975, while departments were being reorganized as a result of the opening of the
Johnson Building, the research library catalogues formerly housed in part in the
Chavannes Gallery were relocated to the Elliott Room. Once cleared of these catalogues,
the Chavannes Gallery was restored to its original state.”
The Phase I work for this space involved cleaning the existing marble floor and removal
of the existing frames, central glazed doors, and transom (including the floor pivot
closers) in order to modify and re-swing the existing gates and frame. Where the floor
pivot closures were removed at both jambs, the marble was patched. Within the stair
vestibule, the existing partitions to Stairs 2 and 3 were removed, and new wall-mounted
wood handrails were installed in the stairs. The existing decorative painted vaulted
ceilings and existing metal brackets were cleaned and touched-up with special painting.
Two new chandeliers matching the central Grand Staircase Hall chandelier were installed;
existing electrical conduits were removed; and all marble and sandstone was cleaned.
Venetian Lobby (404)
Phase I work in this space included removal of HVAC equipment and installation of new
HVAC. This work also included the installation of new face grilles in the niche on the
east wall. The marble floor pavers were cleaned, as were the sandstone walls. A new
ceiling-hung light fixture was installed, along with new lighting fixtures at the dome
spandrels. The existing decorative metal grilles were removed, while the sandstone dado
was sawcut vertically between the upper and lower opening to create a new opening. A
new decorative metal grille was installed matching the pattern of the grilles in the Lecture
Room (214) yet flush with the sandstone. The wall paintings were restored, and all
562
masonry surfaces were cleaned.
Bates Hall (405)
In addition to the various regulations for local and State codes, it was necessary during the
Phase II work to comply with the standards of the State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS). The Library, as a National Historic
Landmark and a private, non-profit organization, had applied for and received a grant to
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 250
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Bates Hall Floor
support the restoration and rehabilitation of Bates Hall as part of the larger restoration
and rehabilitation project already underway. As part of the agreement for the grant
award, the Library agreed to comply with all applicable regulations and procedures
governing Federal grants as well as the applicable Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
Issues addressed during the Bates Hall restoration included: removal of existing
partitions, casework, and terrazzo flooring located in apsidal ends; installation of new
access panels over the new fan-coil units on the east wall; treatment of the blind-arch
panels on the west wall; installation of new light fixtures; and conservation of the
decorative painting on the coffered ceiling.
Mechanical
Prior to Phase II, Bates Hall was heated through the use of steam radiators set into
recesses in the exterior wall beneath each window on the East wall. These radiators were
removed, leaving a wall cavity to be filled with a new fan-coil unit (FCU) and necessary
piping. In most areas, the FCUs were accommodated within the existing openings with
very limited granite cutting. Some bookcases had to be removed and reinstalled to allow
for the installation of pipe risers. Retrofitting the new FCUs into the old radiator location
proved to be a tight fit. It was desirable to provide a drain pan that was as deep as
possible. These drain pans were 1 1/2-inch deep, extended under the piping valves at the
ends of the FCUs, and included a leak detection system. Once installed, these FCUs were
to be concealed with a fiberglass access panel measuring approximately 2 feet, 6 inches by
9 feet, 6 inches. The panels were cast to match the appearance of the leather-textured
plaster panels of the west wall. They needed to be light in weight and operable to afford
access to the fan-coil units.
In addition to installation of a new heating system, efforts were made to allow for the
installation of the maximum possible raceways and conduits in the floors for electrical
and telecommunications wiring. The terrazzo floors of Bates Hall, which are not original,
were targeted as the logical areas to introduce the necessary conduits. Initially, only the
terrazzo fields in the north and south service areas were to be cut and replaced. The
central aisle in the main reading room, which is floored with marble pavers, was initially
intended to be carefully lifted to allow for the cutting of the setting bed, the laying of
conduit, and the replacement of the original stones. However, it was determined early on
as the initial floor work commenced that the available depth of the existing setting bed
was limited in its ability to accommodate the amount of new conduit planned. In
addition, the very tight joints between the marble pavers made it difficult to remove the
stones without damaging the stone edges or the adjacent pavers. In response to these
discoveries, the architects of Shepley Bullfinch Richardson and Abbott and of the NPS
decided to relocate the proposed conduit to the terrazzo floor area on either side of the
center aisle. This relocation was felt to be appropriate since the existing terrazzo is
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 251
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Bates Hall Floor
panels with mirrors glazed in the same manner and configuration as the east wall
windows. It was envisioned to be a subtle intervention consistent with the character of
Bates Hall, the period, and the Bibliotheque precedent. After much careful
consideration, the National Park Service determined that they would not approve of the
infill of the blind arches of Bates Hall’s west wall with mirrors glazed to match the arched
windows of the east wall. The plaster in the blind arches was therefore repainted to match
the original paint color.
Original Children’s Room / Catalogue Room (406)
The space, which was originally the Children’s Room, was converted for use as the
Catalogue Room in the pre-1990s restoration alterations. During Phase II of the current
project, Room 406 was still undergoing significant restoration with the planned
reinstallation of a metal spiral stair to match the one removed in the 1920s and the
original existing one in the northeast corner. New posts and railing to match the
mezzanine railing will be added at the east doorway. Work completed includes the
installation of new leather-covered doors to Bates Hall. The existing marble hearth was
cleaned while new 18-inch by 18-inch marble floor tiles were installed within a marble
border. Seven new floor electric boxes were incorporated in the new flooring. In addition
to the wooden balcony floor, the existing wooden casework on the north wall and around
the mezzanine were restored and refinished. All original finishes were restored; the iron
columns were repainted; the balcony fascia was cleaned and wax polished; and the
decorative plaster and cornice were repaired and repainted in original colors. Besides the
restoration of the decorative finishes, this space received a new Fire Department valve in a
cabinet on the south wall and new metal HVAC grilles in the marble bases. The electric
and telephone boxes were removed, and the walls behind were patched and refinished.
New wood casework was added to the east, south, and west walls. A new service desk was
provided in the Southeast corner of the room using portions of a desk salvaged from
Bates Hall. All windows were restored.
Original Patent Library a.k.a. Elliott Room / New Delivery Room (407)
In 1975 during the changes made in conjunction with relocating departments for the
General and the Research Libraries, the Elliott Room received the Research Library
Catalogs that had previously been housed in the Chavannes Gallery and the Abbey Room.
Before receiving the catalogues, the Elliott Room had functioned as the Government
Documents Department.
Through the work of Phase II, this space was restored for use as a Delivery Room.
Restoration work in this space was to consist of the removal, repair, and refinishing of the
decoratively leafed and glazed canvases on the walls above casework. The existing finish
was to be removed down to the aluminum leaf; any cracks in the leaf were to be repaired
and filled, and a glazing treatment was to be reapplied. During construction it was
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 254
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Bates Hall Floor
determined that the original finishes could not be adequately restored. They were left in
place (except for the south wall), and new canvas, leaf, and glaze were applied over them.
The existing wooden casework was repaired where necessary and refinished with all door
and window hardware refitted. Windows were restored with new insulated glass. On the
south and north walls the damaged backboard of the bookcase was replaced to match the
surrounding existing bookcases. The existing wall sconces were retained with new glass
globes to match the existing originals. On the south wall the existing metal FCU cover
was restored with decorative paint to simulate wood paneling. The damaged plaster
ceiling and left side panel of the window reveal on the south wall were replaced or
repaired. On the west wall a new opening will be introduced with a new paneled door to
allow for wheelchair access to the new lift. The ceiling mural was cleaned and restored by
conservators from the Fogg Museum.
Original Lecture Hall / New Periodical Bibliographic Center (410)
The space, formerly known as the Lecture Hall, has undergone substantial alterations
during Phase II. This work consisted of removal of the existing partition at the north
openings, removal of the existing speakers, grilles in all bays, and casework, in order to re-
plaster the walls and window reveals, install a new doorway to the Northwest Hall, and
relocate the HVAC vents. The existing HVAC openings were blocked up and new
openings were cut above. New bronze grilles were provided at the location of the new
FCUs. A new marble base was installed. The existing marble doorframe on the east wall
and Guastavino tile ceiling were cleaned. The new opening to the Northwest Hall
included new marble frame matching the other existing frame and new wood doors.
While the SBRA plans for Phase II indicated that the work in this room was to include a
new book belt enclosure running west to east at the ceiling level, this apparently has not
been executed. On all walls, new wood casework and cabinets with radiused crown
molding were added. The north wall received new plaster walls to infill the existing stage
opening.
Original Patent Room & Statistical Department / New Northwest Corridor (414)
In 1975, the Boston Public Library Patent Collection, which had long been housed at
Emmanuel College and Newton College, was moved to the McKim building and located
in this area.””
During Phase II work in progress at the time of this writing, this area was being converted
from the Exhibit Room and historically the Patent Room to the upper floor of the
Northwest Hall. This area provides the link between the Bates Hall Floor of the McKim
building and the second level of the Johnson Building. During this work the existing
ramp down to the Johnson Building was removed to make way for a new incline. The
existing plaster and flooring were removed down to the masonry and concrete slab. This
space received new plaster wall finish and marble base. The lower windows received new
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 255
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Bates Hall Floor
marble sills. A new custom wood service desk was installed at the south wall, and there
will be two new drinking fountains on the west wall.
Original Stack 5 / New Periodical Department (415, 416)
During Phase II, the partition separating rooms 415 and 416, the partition and door at
the landing down to stairs, the built-in shelves, and the electric water coolers were all
removed. New FCUs were installed between bays 3 and 4. New gypsum wall board, vinyl
base, and metal bookcases were also installed.
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BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 256
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Boston Public Library McKim Building 8.0 1990s Project: McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Interior: Special Library Floor
8.3.5 Special Library Floor
Work on the top floor, or Special Libraries Floor, at the time of this writing is planned for
Phase IIC. It was previously completed to the design development stage. The main
objective of the Phase IIC work for this floor is to reopen many of the spaces to the public
and provide full circulation, as originally intended.
West Gallery (712)
As part of the reorganization of the Research Library Departments, new openings were
created for the Reference and Reading Rooms for Music and Fine Arts in the West
Gallery. A new elevator was opened to facilitate accessibility of these departments.
Original Barton Library / Charlotte Cushman Room (705)
The area that had previously been used by the Music Department was refurbished once
the Music and Fine Arts Departments relocated to the West Gallery. This space,
previously called the Barton-Ticknor Room, was renamed the Charlotte Cushman Room
to house materials on the theater donated by the Charlotte Cushman Club in Boston.”
Dwiggins Gallery (704)
An exhibition space was opened adjacent to the Rare Books and Manuscripts
Department, an area that included the Dwiggins Gallery and the Serge Koussevitzky
Exhibition area.””
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 257
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9.1 Introduction
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9.3 Fire Safety
9.4 Elevator Safety
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Historic Structure Report 9.0 1990s Project: Code Compliance
Rehabilitation is defined as:
The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations,
and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or
; 568
architectural values.”
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 263
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report
9.0 1990s Project: Code Compliance
9.1 INTRODUCTION
A construction project as extensive and costly as the restoration and renovation of the
Boston Public Library triggers many levels of review and compliance. In addition to
complying with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic
Properties due to the use of State and Federal funding, the Library had to meet various
State and local building and safety codes. This involved asbestos removal and lead paint
abatement in areas affected by construction; compliance with the requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and compliance with fire detection, suppression,
and egress codes and elevator safety codes.
Consistent with the philosophy recommended by The Building Official and Code
Administrator, Shepley Bullfinch Richardson and Abbott (SBRA) “involved local officials
early on” to resolve code conflicts during the design development phase. When making
provisions in the building code for historic buildings, such as the Boston Public Library,
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted a “performance” approach. This approach
attempted to strike a balance between code compliance and historic preservation by
providing guidance for the architects and code officials without actually trying to
determine the solutions. The architects of SBRA and the City of Boston’s Inspectional
Services Department worked in collaboration to develop creative solutions and
appropriate alternatives that recognized the value and importance of both life safety and
preservation issues.
Life safety categories that required analysis included: fire rating of corridor partitions;
extent of automatic alarms; capacity of exits; and maximum travel distances. Accessibility
issues that needed to be assessed included: building and site entrances; surface textures;
widths and slopes of walkways; parking; grade changes; size, weight, and configurations of
doorways; interior corridors and paths of travel restrictions; elevators; and public toilets
and amenities.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 258
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Historic Structure Report 9.0 1990s Project: Code Compliance
9.2 COMPLIANCE WITH ADA REQUIREMENTS
SBRA began the process of compliance with local and state ADA requirements by inviting
the Massachusetts Architectural Barriers Board (now the Architectural Access Board) to
tour the McKim building and part of the Johnson Building in April of 1988. This meeting
was followed up by a request for variances for the following sections:
e Section 26.1, relating to the primary entrance on Dartmouth Street. Code
compliance required an access ramp to ascend the height of the platform steps.
The variance requested would permit the Library to avoid constructing a new ramp
and to continue to use and acknowledge the entrance into the Johnson Building as
the main accessible entrance with its direct proximity to handicapped parking.
e Section 27.7, relating to the doors of the historical rooms. Code compliance
requires the thresholds of the doors to be flush with floor surface. As the doorways
presently exist, the marble thresholds project 3/4 inch up from the floor level.
e Section 28.2, relating to the projection of tread nosing of Stairs #2, 3, & 4.
e Section 28.3, relating to the wall rails of Stairs #1 & 4 that do not extend 12 inches
beyond the top and bottom of the risers.
e Section 28.4, relating to the handrails of Stair #4 which, according to the code,
exceed the maximum width of 2 inches and have a molded shape.
e Given the architectural significance of the McKim building, all of the variances
requested were based on historic considerations.
Drawings produced by SBRA for presentation to the Architectural Access Board
illustrated the existing conditions and the existing architectural barriers prior to
construction. These conditions were compared with the proposed handicapped
accessibility solutions resulting in the first phase, as well as those fully completed through
Phase II. Ata hearing held on June 27, 1988, the Architectural Access Board reviewed the
materials submitted and voted to grant the variances.
Phase I restoration and renovation work included much of the ground floor spaces and
reclaiming spaces for public use in the basement level. This work also included the
replacement of the existing elevator and the installation of public restrooms on the
basement level. The new elevator provided easy access to all public floors in the McKim
building. Those barriers not addressed during Phase I continued in the work of the
second phase.
The intention of Phase II was to restore the public passageway along the entire north and
east wings. In addition, with the construction of the new northwest corner entrance hall,
it was necessary to create a clear, barrier-free path from the Johnson Building to Bates
Hall that negotiated all the changes in floor levels. To address these changes in floor
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 259
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Historic Structure Report 9.0 1990s Project: Code Compliance
levels, modifications to stairways and the installation of wheel chair lifts were required.
The plans presented to the Architectural Access Board clearly illustrated that in each
location where a staircase was a barrier for a direct path, an elevator, lift, or ramp was
located within close proximity. Elevators that had previously been inaccessible, due to
door widths or cab size, were altered or replaced to meet the necessary standards. Much
effort was made to insure a universal, primary, horizontal circulation path. However,
where an alternate circulation path was necessary, for example to approach a lift or
elevator, this path was made independently accessible and as close to the main route as
was possible.
OrsheekIRE SARELY
SBRA began the review process for fire code compliance in the summer of 1988. This
process was initiated when the City Building Commissioner refused to grant a building
permit for the proposed restoration work. This refusal was based on the determination
that the building and the proposed work was in violation of the Massachusetts State
Building Code, Statute 1972, Chapter 802. The following sections were cited as code
violations:
e Section 2203.7 addressing the number of exits such that any existing building shall
provide at least two means of egress at every story;
e Section 2203.8 concerning the capacity of exits;
e Section 2203.11 addressing the installation of fire alarm systems; and
e Section 2203.12 addressing the enclosure of stairways.
Under the current fire safety codes, open stairways were prohibited except in one- and
two-family dwellings or unless otherwise permitted by Article 6. New partitions or
construction added to fully enclose a stairway were required to provide a minimum fire-
resistance rating of one hour. All doors in the enclosure are required to be self-closing
and tight-fitting with approved hardware.
Following the denial of the building permit, a request for a variance was submitted to the
Board of Appeal of the City of Boston. A formal appeal was also presented to the Board
on August 23, 1988. The principal relief sought by the Library centered on the
requirement that egress stairways be enclosed. In particular, the Library proposed not to
enclose the grand central stairway of the McKim Building or use it as a necessary exit.
Exclusion of this stairway as an exit in no way effected the capacity or number of exits for
the building. The architects proposed alternate methods for fire detection and
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 260
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report 9.0 1990s Project: Code Compliance
suppression, and demonstrated how these alternate methods would benefit the public
safety. These alternative methods included installation of smoke detectors above and
beyond those required, installation of Fire Department standpipes up through the
building with numerous Fire Department valves, introduction of sprinklers in all public
areas below grade, a new fire alarm system, and an agreement to maintain a library
emergency evacuation plan. Upon review of the Library’s proposal, the Board of Appeal
found that the work would increase public safety of the historic building. They
recognized that strict compliance of the existing Building Code was unwarranted and that
no hazard would be presented to the occupants of the building by granting the variances
requested. Furthermore, literal enforcement of the Building Code would alter the
architectural integrity of the significant historic structure.
The rooms on the Basement level were equipped with a wet-pipe sprinkler system, since
below-grade rooms are the most difficult to access to fight and extinguish a fire.
Sprinklers were also installed in the renovated public circulation areas, such as Rooms 223
and 414 of the Northwest Corridor. Other methods were employed to increase the fire
safety by means of detection, suppression and egress. Detection methods included the
installation of smoke detectors and alarm devices. The smoke detectors installed in the
Boston Public Librarv are all of the photoelectric type with a transmitter that shoots a
light beam to a receiver. When smoke particles scatter or lower the intensity of the light
beam, the receiver responds with an alarm. Photoelectric detectors have been installed in
rooms 214, 215, 223, 406, and 410.
Also, two layers of gypsum wall board were installed at the ceiling in rooms 218 and 410,
and intumescent paint was used on the exposed metal truss in room 410 as additional
means of fire suppression.
9.4 ELEVATOR SAFETY
Phase I work called for the replacement of the existing main cage elevator cab that was in
violation of the State Building Code. McKim’s original design incorporated an open-cage
wrought-iron cab that was lit by daylight as it moved from one floor to the next. The
elevator shaft on the central courtyard side included windows at the various floor levels.
These windows not only illuminated the elevator cab but allowed light to pass through to
the elevator lobbies. With the Building Code requiring the removal of the open cage
design, the architects felt very strongly about restoring one very important element
associated with the original design—the re-introduction of natural light into the cab. The
State Elevator Inspector in the Department of Public Safety noted during his inspection,
on March 16, 1994, that the existing windows in the hoistway or shaft were in violation of
524 CMRC and the new glass in the elevator cab was in violation of Rule 204.1h. The
architects responded by requesting a variance to allow the existing window in the hoistway
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 261
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Historic Structure Report 9.0 1990s Project: Code Compliance
to remain and by agreeing to use 5/16-inch laminated safety glass with wire grilles on the
inside of the window openings of the cab.
9.5 SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’S STANDARDS
In addition to the various regulations for local and State codes, it was necessary during the
Phase II work to comply with the standards of the State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS). The Library, as a National Historic
Landmark and a private, non-profit organization, had applied for and received a grant to
support the restoration and rehabilitation of Bates Hall as part of the larger restoration
and rehabilitation project already underway. As part of the agreement for the grant
award, the Library agreed to comply with all applicable regulations and procedures
governing Federal grants as well as the applicable Secretary of the Interior’s Standards,
which were followed for the entire building as well.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
distinguishes between the definitions and standards for Preservation, Rehabilitation, and
Restoration. These definitions were clearly taken into consideration when formulating
the Preservation Zones described in Section 8.0. Zone | relates to Restoration, depicting
a property at a particular period of its history; Zone 2 relates to Preservation, the
maintenance and repair of existing historic materials; and Zone 3 relates to
Rehabilitation, altering a property due to the changing uses, while still retaining the
property’s historic character.
Restoration is defined as:
The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it
appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its
history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. The limited and sensitive
upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make
properties functional is appropriate within a restoration project.”
Preservation is defined as:
The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and
materials of an historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize the
property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and
features rather than extensive replacement and new construction. New exterior additions are not
within the scope of this treatment; however, the limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical,
electrical, and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is
appropriate within a preservation project.”
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 262
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10.0 Preservation & Maintenance
Guidelines
10.1 General Guidelines
10.2 Record Keeping
10.2.1 Building Maintenance Log
10.2.2 File Records
10.2.3 Maintenance & Inspection Schedules
10.3. Inspections
10.3.1 Exterior Inspections
10.3.2 Interior Inspections
10.4 Interior Materials & Finishes of the McKim Building
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report
10.0 Preservation and Maintenance Guidelines
10.1 GENERAL GUIDELINES
The following guidelines should be followed when undertaking any work on the building:
1. Understand the nature of both the dirt and the surface to be cleaned before
proceeding with any cleaning operations. Cleaning should never be so aggressive that
it results in damage to the material being cleaned.
no
Only use the mildest workable method and cleaning solution in each instance,
although this may require more time or effort.
3. Refer to historical precedent regarding how the materials have been cared for before
choosing a new custodial process.
4. Research and test the suitability of new products before permitting their widespread
use on an historic building. Seek the experience of others before proceeding. Begin
work in the less sensitive, less valuable areas of the structure.
5. In certain instances, historic building materials and finishes may be better preserved if
they are allowed to remain dirtier than custodial standards would otherwise permit.
6. Always consult an architectural conservator prior to undertaking cleaning to remove
specific stains or soiling.
10.2 RECORD KEEPING
10.2.1 Building Maintenance Log
The Building Maintenance Log is a record of all inspections, routine maintenance work,
and repairs performed on the building, as outlined in the following sections. The
Building Maintenance Log entries should be keyed to drawings as required for clarity.
These drawings should be kept with the Log. The following information should be
included in every maintenance record entry:
1. Materials/Finishes.
2. Date of inspection and/or maintenance work.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 264
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Historic Structure Report 10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
3. Name of the company or persons performing the work.
4. Condition of building elements.
5. Repair work done and products used.
6. Correspondence regarding work performed by outside contractors and professionals.
7. Future work needed.
Building maintenance should be based on the charts developed by Building Conservation
Associates, Inc., for individual rooms in the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library.
These charts list specific materials and finishes used for various elements in the room and
are included in Appendix 11.13 of this report. They should be updated as needed prior
to any maintenance or restoration work. A record of the documentation listed here
should be kept with the Building Maintenance Log.
10.2.2 File Records
Files containing the following information should be maintained and updated:
e Relevant technical details including the products used, product data sheets, and
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
e Manufacturer's printed instructions or literature.
e All drawings, blueprints and shop drawings stored in flat files. A set of all available
drawings of all work completed by an outside contractor, as well as a record of
proposed future work. The drawings should be catalogued with dates of work
performed or proposed, and the names of the designer and contractor.
e Warranties for materials and guarantees for work performed.
e Record of spare materials kept on site.
10.2.3 Maintenance and Inspection Schedules
A schedule of routine maintenance and inspections should be kept. The dates and
locations of inspections, routine cleaning, and maintenance should be recorded on the
calendar along with the record of all light-duty repairs.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 265
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report 10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
A regular schedule of field inspections of all areas of the building, including all roof areas
should be maintained. The location of each inspection should be indicated on drawings
and areas of inspection should be photographed for documentation purposes.
Implementation of the schedules and activities identified in the following sections on
inspection and maintenance will ensure that damage and deterioration of elements is
noted in a timely manner and will reduce the risk of serious damage to either interior or
exterior building elements.
10.3. INSPECTIONS
10.3.1 Exterior Inspections
Exterior inspections should be conducted on a regularly scheduled basis as described
below. Other exterior inspections should be conducted in the late spring or early
summer. During this time weather conditions permit the effects of winter storms and
spring rains to be assessed with sufficient time available to conduct necessary repairs.
Elements that conduct water should be examined during a rainfall. If this is not possible,
a water source should be accessible in order to simulate the passage of water through
these elements.
Weekly Inspections
Inspect: For
Front Doors/Other main entrance Scratches, abrasions, vandalism. Loose hardware.
metalwork
Other Entrances Scratches, abrasions, vandalism. Loose hardware.
Door glass Breakage. Soiling.
Light fixtures Non-working light bulbs.
Wall surfaces Graffiti, vandalism.
Monthly Inspections
Inspect: For:
Drains and strainers Blockages/accumulated debris.
Leaders Blockages. Disconnections.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 266
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report
Quarterly Inspections
Inspect:
10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
For.
Leaders
Semi-Annual Inspections
Inspect:
Blockages. Disconnections.
For.
Roofing System
Roof and areaway drains
Strainers
Masonry adjacent to roofing
systems
Marble/granite copings
Caulking at skylights, windows and
doors
Glazing in skylights
Annual Inspections
Inspect:
Cracked or dislodged clay tiles. Corrosion, lifting or separation at metal
seams. Bare spots, bubbles, soft spots, wrinkling, blisters, tears and holes
in EPDM membrane. Alligatoring and open joints at bituminous seams.
Blockages and damage.
Correct installation. Accumulated debris.
Moisture, efflorescence, biological growth and eroded mortar
(indicators of leaks in roofing systems).
Cracked, damaged, or loose units. Condition of sealant.
Evidence of deterioration, including pulling away from edges. Paint
condition.
Cracked units.
For:
Window and door hardware and
moveable parts
Windows
Window sealant and glazing putty
Window panes
All exterior surfaces
Granite
Brick
Mortar
Chimney
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC
General condition.
Paint condition. Damaged weather stripping and air leakage.
Deteriorated or missing.
Broken glass.
Heavy staining and soiling. Graffiti. Condition of expansion joints.
Cracks and spalls. Displacement.
Stains, cracks, spalls.
Cracking, erosion, and losses.
Cracks. Displacement.
Page 267
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report
Masonry:
Gutters and
Leaders
Ponding or
standing water
General
Soiling
Graffiti
Spalls and
cracks
10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
Clear debris from gutters on a regular basis. Verify that
gutters are pitched appropriately towards drains or leaders.
Clear blockages with a stream of water or a length of flexible
rod. Severely clogged leaders should only be disassembled as
a last resort by a roofing contractor. Minor deflections can be
repaired in-house; severe deflections should be serviced by a
roofing contractor.
Ponding or standing water and malfunctions of the flashing
or adjacent roofing should be repaired by a roofing
contractor.
Following an initial cleaning, masonry will require cleaning
every 3-5 years. Cleaning on a regular basis will allow for the
use of less aggressive cleaning methods and more expeditious
results.
Determine cause of staining (water, copper run-off). Repair
leak if possible. Evaluate need to remove stain. Low pressure
(less than 100 psi) water may be sufficient to remove soiling
and minor stains. An outside contractor is necessary for
higher pressure water washing, chemical cleaning and stain
removal. Always test for appropriate methods whether work is
completed in-house or by an outside contractor.
Remove graffiti within 24 hours using an outside contractor.
Clean architecturally delineated sections of masonry or metal
to avoid uneven cleaning.
The spalls should be reviewed by a masonry specialist and
repairs should be made by a qualified masonry restoration
contractor.
Sealant:
Cracks, drying,
holes.
Expansion
joints
Cut out minor defects in sealant and install new sealant of
same type. For large jobs, use outside contractor.
Inspect regularly. Repair or resealing of expansion joints
should be completed by outside contractor.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC
Page 269
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report 10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
103332 Interior Inspections
Interior inspections should be conducted on a regularly scheduled basis. The schedule
will vary based on whether or not the spaces in question are in use on a day-to-day basis
and on the number of people using the space.
Interior inspections are less dependent upon seasonal changes than exterior inspections.
However, any large cracks, losses, or other signs of water infiltration noted on the exterior
should be investigated at the same time from the interior to determine the extent of
damage to interior materials. Interior spaces should be inspected monthly for a period of
six months following repairs to exterior waterproofing elements, as there is often a delay
between the time damage is noted on the exterior and when signs of water damage
appear on interior surfaces.
Weekly Inspections
Inspect: For:
Marble floors and veneers Soil, stains, scratches, abrasions.
Terrazzo floors Soil, scratches, abrasions.
Carpet floors Soil.
Light fixtures Non-working light bulbs.
Monthly Inspections
Inspect: For:
Marble floors and veneers Soil, stains, scratches, abrasions.
Terrazzo floors Soil, scratches, abrasions or cracks.
Ceramic tile floors Soil, scratches, cracks. Dull finish. Loose or missing
grout.
Resilient tile floors Soil, scratches, indentations, tears. Lifting from
substrate.
Carpet floors Soil, rips or lifting at seams.
Light fixtures Non-working light bulbs.
Doors Loose or inoperable hardware. Soil, scratches, abrasions.
Detached finishes. Broken or loose glass.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 270
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report 10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
Semi-Annual Inspections
Inspect: For:
Marble floors and veneers Loose or missing grout. Condition of polish.
Flat plaster wall surfaces Soil, stains. Cracks in plaster or painted finishes. Wet or
crumbly surfaces. Detached finishes.
Brick wainscot Soil, stains, abrasions. Loose or missing mortar.
Efflorescence or cracks.
Painted canvas walls Soil, stains. Detachment from substrate. Rips and tears.
Handrails Connection to wall. Soil, scratches. Loss of finish.
Ornamental metals within reach of Soil, scratches, vandalism. Condition of finish.
pedestrian traffic
Windows Soil. Hardware operation. Surface coating condition.
Cracked, loose or missing sealant and/or glazing putty.
Loose, damaged or missing weather stripping.
Wood casework Dull, soiled or scratched finish. Damaged or missing
parts.
Annual Inspections
Inspect: For:
Flat plaster ceiling surfaces Soil, stains. Cracks in plaster or painted finishes. Wet or
crumbly surfaces. Detached finishes.
Ornamental plaster surfaces Soil, stains. Cracks in plaster or painted finishes. Wet or
crumbly surfaces. Detached finishes. Loose or detached
ornament.
Hardware Correct function. Missing elements. Loose elements.
Dull, soiled, or scratched finish.
Leather upholstered doors Soil, rips, abrasion. Detached or lifting at seams. Surface
finish.
Biannual Inspections
Inspect: For.
Flat plaster ceiling surfaces Soil, stains. Cracks in plaster or painted finishes. Wet or
crumbly surfaces. Detached finishes.
Ornamental plaster surfaces Soil, stains. Cracks in plaster or painted finishes. Wet or
crumbly surfaces. Detached finishes.
Loose or detached ornament.
Light fixtures Soil. Condition of finish.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC
Page 271
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report
10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
Typical Maintenance Activities
As in the case of the building exterior, the complexity of each task needs to be evaluated
in order to determine whether it can be completed by in-house staff or if the activity
requires the assistance of outside maintenance and professional services.
The schedules noted here are for rooms used by the public on a daily basis. The schedule
should be adjusted according to building usage.
Marble/Terrazzo floors and
stairs
Marble veneer wall
Miscellaneous marble
elements
Daily: First dry mop with a cotton string mop head treated
with a ‘dust catcher.’ After this procedure, damp mop with a
cotton string mop rinsed in a bucket equipped with a wringer.
Water should be changed frequently. Avoid mopping
baseboards.
Weekly: Wet mop weekly using mild cleaning agent. Wet
mopping requires two mops and three buckets. The first
bucket contains the cleaning agent, such as KRC Ion 420,
available from Chemique, Inc., Moorestown, NJ, 609-234-
3061, in water. The second bucket contains clear water for
rinsing the cleaning agent from the floor. The third bucket
contains clear water to wring out the rinse water to insure that
the water in the second bucket remains clean. Apply cleaning
agent from first bucket and agitate on floor with the first mop.
Before it dries on the floor, remove cleaning agent with clean
water from the second bucket using the second mop. Rinse
the second mop in the third bucket before rewetting it in the
second bucket to remove more of the cleaning agent.
Monthly: Refinish/rebuff floors.
Semi-annually: Clean floors using mild detergent, such as KRC
Ion 417, available from Chemique, Inc., Moorestown, NJ,
(609) 234-3061, and water.
Weekly: Wipe with damp cotton cloth.
Monthly: Clean marble surfaces with mild detergent, such as
KRC Ion 417, available from Chemique, Inc., Moorestown, NJ,
(609) 234-3061, and water. Clean with a 5% solution of
detergent in water. Wipe on surface. Let sit for 5 minutes. Do
not allow to dry on surface. Thoroughly rinse with clean
water. Wipe dry.
Annually: Repolish marble. Hire outside contractor to clean
heavy soil and staining.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC
Page 272
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report 10.0 Preservation & Maintenance Guidelines
10.4 INTERIOR MATERIALS AND FINISHES OF THE MCKIM BUILDING
Background information necessary to have a thorough understanding of the materials
used to construct and embellish the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library has
been provided in Appendix 11.13. It comprises of Maintenance charts for individual
rooms identifying the location of both the original materials and finishes and the new
materials used in the restoration work. Numbers for each room are taken from the
SBRA’s construction drawings.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 274
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report
ENDNOTES
1.0 INTRODUCTION
‘Photos of the interior and exterior of the BPL Annex can be found in the 1919 BPL Trustees’ Annual
Report, BPL Trustees’ Records, Boston Public Library and in drawer 41 of the BPL Drawings Archive.
3.0 ARCHITECTURAL CHRONOLOGY
“Walter Muir Whitehill, Boston Public Library: A Centennial History (Cambridge: Harvard University Press,
he es uf ee
*BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1893), 4.
*BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1896), 18.
* BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1897), 13.
BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1897), 16.
“BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1899), 10.
*BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1907), 61.
"BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1920), 49.
"Ibid.
"BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1921), 47.
" Ibid., 48.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1924).
" Ibid., 23.
" Tbid., 24.
"BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1932).
Ames & Graves Addendum No. | to “Drawings and Specifications of the Contract for Miscellaneous
Installation, Alterations & Repairs at the Central Library Building.” BPL Drawings Archive, Boston Public
Library, Boston, MA.
“ City of Boston Contract with Dominic A. Gentile for “Certain Painting and Painter’s Work at the Central
Library Building (11 December 1964); and City of Boston Contract with ABC Electrical Corp. for alterations
to “Fine Arts & Science & Technology Departments, North Corridor” (8 October 1964), BPL Drawings
Archive.
" City of Boston Contract with Dominic A. Gentile for “Certain Painting,” 3.
“City of Boston Contract with P.J. James Plumbing & Heating Co. for “Certain Removals & Replacements at
the Central Library Building,” (March 1965), BPL Drawings Archive.
“BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1972), 6-7.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 275
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
“BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1973-74), City Document No. 15 (1975), 7.
*“BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1984-1985), 58.
4.0 SELECTION OF THE ARCHITECT AND DESIGN
“Walter Muir Whitehill, “The Making of an Architectural Masterpiece — the Boston Public Library,” American
Art Journal 2, no. 2 (Fall 1970), 13.
* Whitehill, Centennial History, 46-47.
* Tbid., 68.
” Whitehill, Centennial History, 133. Also excerpted in “The Book Tomb,” The Boston News (24 November
1891), BPL Trustees’ Records, Boston Public Library (hereafter cited as BPL Trustees’ Records), T.R. 25.35.
* Boston Herald article, BPL Trustees’ Records, T.R. 25.54, (untitled and undated).
” Boston Transcnpt (June 1886), BPL Trustees’ Records, T.R. 25.54.
“Ralph Adams Cram, My Life in Architecture (Boston: Little Brown, 1936), 34.
““The City Architect: Reasons for Giving the Public Library Trustees Fuller Power,” (January 29, 1887), BPL
Trustees’ Records, T.R. 25.54, No source noted on clipping.
“BPL Trustees’ Annual Report, City Document No. 40 (1888), 4, BPL Trustees’ Records, T.R. 25.12.
*“BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 30 March 1887, vol. 2:122, BPL Trustees’ Records.
5.0 |MCKIM’S DESIGN
“ “Contract with Messrs. McKim, Mead & White,” Appendix C of City Document 54, Report on the Cost of the
New Library Building, Dartmouth Street (1891), 33, BPL Trustees’ Records , T.R. 15.17. Text contained in
Appendix 11.4.1.
“ Charles Moore, The Life and Times of Charles Follen McKim (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1929), 63.
“Ibid., 66. Moore states that McKim, himself, said, “The Bates Hall windows shall have the same simple,
direct character as the arches in the Colosseum.”
* Leland Martin Roth, McKim Mead & White Architects (New York: Harper & Row, 1983), 119.
* Richard Guy Wilson, McKim, Mead & White Architects (New York: Rizzoli, 1983), 134-137.
“ William Jordy, “The Beaux-Arts Renaissance: Charles McKim’s Boston Public Library,” in Vol. 3 of American
Buildings and Their Architects: Progressive and Academic Ideals at the Turn of the Century (Garden City, NY:
Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1972), 333-334.
“ Ibid., 370.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 276
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
dl iw
Stenographic Report of the Statements Made to the Committee on Library Department by S. A. B. Abbott
and Charles F. McKim,” Appendix A of City Document 54, 20-21. Text contained in Appendix 11.7 of this
report.
* Moore, 66.
“Richard Guy Wilson, letter to author, July 1997.
“ Jordy, 335-336.
* Tbid., 359.
* City Document 54, Appendix, 8.
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
"Ibid.
" Tbid., 299.
“Ibid.
“Soule, C. C. “The Boston Public Library: How to Build a Library,” The Library Journal 17 (April 1892), 124
125.
™ McKim, Mead & White, Contract and Specifications for Work to be Done and Material to be Furnished in the
Continuation of the Erection of the New Public Library Building on Copley Square (June 1889), 14, McKim, Mead &
White Manuscript Collection, New York Historical Society, New York, NY. (hereafter cited as Contract and
Specifications for Continuation and McKim, Mead & White MSS).
” Contract and Specifications for Stone and Marblework of Entrance Hall and Staircase in the New Public Library on
Copley Square (August 1889), 14, McKim, Mead & White MSS.
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1891), 19.
7.0 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF THE BUILDING: 1895 TO 1972
“BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1899), 10.
“Whitehill, Centennial History, 188.
” BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1904).
” BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1921).
” BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1919), 2.
® Whitehill, Centennial History, 219.
™M. G. Van Rensselaer, “The New Public Library in Boston: Its Artistic Aspects,” Century Magazine 50 (June
1895), 2617
" Ibid.
" Contract and Specifications for the New Public Library Building on Copley Square up to Bates Hall Floor (June 1889),
11. (Hereafter cited as Contract and Specifications up to Bates Hall Floor.)
= Tpid.. io.
© Tbid., 13-14.
*Tbid., 15.
* Ibid.
“ Copies of the St. Gaudens sculptures are located at the Freer Gallery in Washington D.C. and at his home in
Cornish, New Hampshire.
” Herbert Small, comp., Handbook of the Boston Public Library (Boston: Curtis & Company, 1895), 50-51.
“Whitehill, Centennial History, 159.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 278
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
~ [biden ly.
™ Contract and Specifications for Continuation, 19.
"Tbid., 16.
"Tbid., 24.
Small, (1895), 30.
“ Contract and Specifications for Continuation, 29.
“ C. Howard Walker, “The Boston Public Library,” New England Magazine 12 (May 1895), 261.
” Contract and Specifications for Brick and Stone Work.
" Thid.
“Lamps at Dartmouth Street Entrance,” BPL Print Collection, Figure E-44 of this report.
” Herbert J. Small, comp. Handbook of the New Public Library in Boston (Curtis & Cameron, 1908). Copley Prints
advertisement contained in front matter.
' Small (1895), 15-16.
Contract and Specifications for Carpenter Work in the New Public Library Building on Copley Square (August 1892,
Revised October 18, 1892), 15, McKim, Mead & White MSS.
molds, al Os
ites)
Elmer Ellsworth Garnsey, “The Boston Public Library,” The Peterson Magazine 4, no. 5 (November 1894),
1015.
™ Contract and Specifications for Roof Work in the New Public Library Building on Copley Square (1890) ,10-
11, McKim, Mead & White MSS.
“° Small (1895), 5.
"" Contract and Specifications for Roof Work, 12.
“" Contract and Specifications for Brick and Stone Work.
"* Contract and Specifications for Roof Work, 12-13.
Wn
Contract and Specifications for Continuation, 20.
’ “Tt Opens Today: Public Library at Last is the People’s,” The Boston Daily Globe (1 February 1895), BPL
Trustees’ Records, T.R. 25.38.
Van Rensselaer, 262.
"Jordy, 370.
'" Contract and Specifications up to Bates Hall Floor, 15-16.
' Contract and Specifications for Continuation, 16.
Tbid., 19-20.
" Contract and Specifications for Roof Work, 11.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 279
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
'Y Garnsey, 1023.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1897), 13.
' Small (1895), 26.
™ Contract and Specifications for Carpenter Work, 16.
™ Contract and Specifications for Continuation (June 1889), 24.
Small (1895), 27.
™ Whitehill, Centennial History, 176-177.
cag (oi te Cah Lei
™ Ibid., 178-179.
™ Ibid., 179.
Tbid., 179, quoting from Thomas Russell Sullivan’s journal.
™ Ibid., 180.
McKim to MacMonnies, 27 October 1897, MMW MSS. M-9.
“ Correspondence with author, 18 August 1998.
' Jonathan Fairbanks, “MacMonnies’ Bacchante: Its Trial, Condemnation and Restoration,” Sculpture Review
Wenos2(199si ,o1;
Small (1895), 26.
‘“ Olmsted to McKim, 14 June 1892, MMW MSS, M9.
™ Small (1895), 26.
‘’ Monograph of the Works of McKim Mead & White 1879-1915. 4 vols. 1915. Reprint (4vols. In 1), Plate 103.
Reproductions of these plans can be found in Appendix 11.3.
™ Small (1895), 26.
'" M. Sargent to Olmsted Brothers, 17 December 1898, Olmsted Archives, Brookline, Massachusetts.
'* BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1897), 13; (1900) ,8; (1904); (1906).
Ibid. (1907), 12:
™ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 2 December 1904, vol. 8:378
" BPL Trustees’ Annual Report, (1907), 12.
‘“ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 29 May 1903, vol. 7:308-309.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1929), 17.
Jel [otabar oe Wu Nive,
Tbid., (1903).
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 280
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1909).
™ The Boston Public Library, 4th ed., rev. Frank H. Chase, Ph.D. (Boston: Boston Public Library Employees
Benefit Association, 1921), 6.
' BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1929), 18.
' Whitehill, Centennial History, 215.
' Milton E. Lord, “Boston Modernizes—Plans for Enlargement,” The Library Journal 78 (December 15, 1953),
2120:
I”
A photograph of this arrangement can be found in Peter A. Wick, prep. A Handbook to the Art and
Architecture of the Boston Public Library (Boston: The Associates of the Boston Public Library, 1978), 24.
'” Ames, Child & Graves, Untitled set of 5 drawings (24 November 1951), BPL 23 and set of 1964 plans
provided by SBRA.
* ord: 2126:
™ Jordy, 362.
™ McKim, Mead & White, “Periodical Room,” no. 519, (28 April 1692)\0 BPL 25.
™ Small (1908), 16.
‘Plans of McKim’s early designs for the Library are found in Monograph of the Works of McKim Mead & White
1879-1915. Reproductions of these plans can be found in Appendix 11.3.
'‘“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1907), 12; (1909).
™ Tbid., (1927), 60; (1929); (1933), 19.
SLO 2120!
™ City of Boston Contract w/ Dominic A. Gentile for “Certain Painting and Painter’s Work at the Central
Library Building” (Dec. 11, 1964). Found in the BPL Drawings Archive.
‘“ This room label is found on the plans published in the Monograph.
'“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1898), 20 and (1906).
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1898), 14.
“ Stull Associates, Inc., A Restoration Program for the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library (August 1981), 4.
™ Small (1895), 50-51.
7 pide s |e
“" Ibid.
or
™ Small (1908), 55.
"° Ibid.
"’ Jenney & Fox, “Drawing for a New Patent Library,” no. 4 (1902), BPL 29.
"" Small (1895), 20.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 282
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
*"'A Casual Tour: Boston Public Library (Boston: City Printing Section, 1972), 4.
* Small (1895), 34-35.
™ Wilson, 137.
*° Small (1895), 3.
™ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 16 February 1894, vol. 4:198.
*" Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. “Boston Public Library: Paint Study” (January
1995), 9. Contained in Appendix 11.9. Hereafter referred to as SPNEA, “Paint Study.”
*8 Small (1895), 30-31.
* John LaFarge to McKim, 7 February 1889, McKim, Mead & White MSS, 101.
*" McKim to LaFarge, 20 June 1892, The Papers of Charles McKim, Reel 1:184, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C. (From McKim’s Letterbooks Vol. 1.)
* Abbott Thayer to McKim, December 7 (probably 1894), McKim, Mead & White MSS, 103.
*“ Thayer, Abbott Handerson, “Minerva in Chariot,” ca. 1984, 38 1/8” x 53 3/4”, National Museum of
American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.121. Information supplied by Richard
Murray, Curator.
** Thayer to McKim, June 24 (probably 1895), McKim, Mead & White MSS, 103.
** Thayer to McKim, July 6 (probably 1895), McKim, Mead & White MSS, 103.
*° McKim to Thayer, 10 July 1895, The Papers of Charles McKim, Reel 2:235. (From McKim’s Letterbooks
Vol. 4)
*’ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 19 March 1895, vol. 4:341.
*” McKim to Richards, 3 April 1895, The Papers of Charles McKim, Reel 2:000632.
** wm. R. Richards to McKim, 4 April 1895, McKim, Mead & White MSS, 102.
*»J. McNeil Whistler to The Directors and Trustees of the Boston Library, 7 May 1895, McKim, Mead & White
MSS, 103.
” Whitehill, “Making of an Architectural Masterpiece,” 24.
™" Thayer to McKim, 12 October 1895, McKim, Mead & White MSS, 103.
“ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 10 December 1915, vol. 10:321.
” SPNEA, “Paint Study” (January 1995), 9.
™ Small (1895), 32.
BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 5 September 1894, vol. 4:268.
™ SPNEA, “Paint Study” (January 1995), 10.
*" Small (1895), 28
** Garnsey, 1019.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 285
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
™ SPNEA, “Paint Study” (January 1995) 7.
™ Small (1895), 30.
*" SPNEA, “Paint Study” (January 1995), 10.
* Ibid.
* Small (1895), 28.
™ Ibid., 32.
* Tbid., 34
“McKim, Mead & White, “Bookcases in Bates Hall,” no. 644, n.d., BPL 11.
*' Small (1895), 32.
* Ibid., 33.
™' G.E. Wolters to McKim, 30 March 1894, McKim, Mead & White MSS, 103.
™’ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 20 September 1901, vol. 7:61.
*" BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 14 December 1900, vol. 6:418.
*“ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 18 January 1901, vol. 6:431.
““ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 15 November 1901, vol. 7:83.
™ Fox & Gale, “Certain Renovations of Bates Hall,” set of 2 drawings, Commission 320G (May 1931, some
revised June 1931); “Full Scale Detail of Rack for Return Slips, Bates Hall Desk,” (November 1931); “Certain
Furniture in Bates Hall,” Commission 320H (June 1931), BPL 11 and City of Boston Library Department,
“Certain Renovations of Bates Hall,” (1931), BPL Drawing Archive. (Specifications)
*° Fox & Gale, “Certain Renovations of Bates Hall,” no. 1, Commission 320G (May 1931), BPL 11.
*” Fox & Gale, “Certain Furniture in Bates Hall,” no. 2, Commission 320H (June 1931), BPL 11.
*" City of Boston Library Department, Contract for Decorative Painters’ Work in Bates Hall (1931), BPL
Drawing Archive.
*® Ames, Child & Graves, “Typical Cross Section-Full Size, Lighting Fixture in Bates Hall,” nos. 189-93 (21
April 1947), BPL 39.
= (ore | 208
00
Ames & Graves, “Alterations and Repairs to Bates Hall,” set of 8 drawings, Job no. 897 (3 July 1958), BPL
Be
*" Ames & Graves Architects, Specifications for Alterations and Repairs to Bates Hall Central Library Building,
Boston Public Library, 3 July 1958.
“Ames & Graves, “Miscellaneous Installations, Alterations & Repairs,” set of 6 drawings, Job no. 904 (26
November 1962), BPL 11.
"8 Jordy, 363.
™ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 31 October 1893, vol. 4:134.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 286
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
** Small (1895), 35.
™ Jordy, 363.
“" G.E. Wolters to McKim, 21 February 1895, McKim, Mead & White MSS.
*® Small (1895), 35.
“ Tbid., 36.
*” Walker, 267.
™ Small (1895), 36.
“Location of Painted & Relief Work in Ceiling Decoration of the Delivery Room,” BPL 25.
*® Small (1895), 36.
4 Jordy, 363.
*’ Other than the photograph included in the report from the BPL Print Collection, another view can be
found in Walker, 267.
*" Small (1895), 43. Also note that the main card catalogue was located in the south end of Bates Hall.
“’ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 14 May 1895, vol. 4:378.
““ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 23 April 1895, vol. 4:363.
*’ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 6 May 1895, vol. 4:373.
™' BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 14 May 1895, vol. 4:379.
*"McKim’s drawing of this table, “Table and Platform in Waiting Room,” no. 938, is located in the McKim,
Mead & White MSS, Tube 355A.
= Whitehill, “Making of an Architectural Masterpiece,” 19.
™ McKim to Abbott, 9 May 1890, BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B9.
*“BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 17 February 1893, vol. 4:47.
“ BPL Papers, MsAm. 565-566.
™ The Boston Public Library (1916), 23-24. Regarding the reference to Tennyson: Tennyson recounted the tale
of King Arthur in Jdylls of the King, which Small says “has, more than anything else revived interest in the
Arthurian legend.” From Small (1908), 42.
*" Small (1908), 42
™ Walker, 267-268.
™ Sullivan, 86-89.
™ Small (1895), 47.
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (191415), 13.
“BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1898).
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1901), 7 and BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 21 March 1902, vol. 7:142.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 287
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
“ Small (1908), 41.
““ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 24 January 1902, vol. 7:119.
*“ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 21 March 1902, vol. 7:142.
* BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (192425), 30.
** BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1924-25), 22; (1926), 30; (1928).
™' BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 18 May 1923, vol. 12:2-3.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1928).
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1932); (1933), 18.
* Whitehill, “Making of an Architectural Masterpiece,” 29.
*“ Fox & Gale, “Delivery Room Set,” set of 2 drawings (February 1932) and “Proposed Bookcase, etc. in
Delivery Room,” (September 1933), BPL 25.
“Fox & Gale, “Oak Railing in Issue Room,” (20 October 1934), BPL 25.
“ The railing no longer exists in Ames & Graves, “Public Catalogue in Abbey Room: Plan—Abbey Room
Level,” no. A3 (20 June 1961), BPL 25.
“© Ames, Child & Graves, “New Electric Lighting System: Abbey Room,” (4 December 1947), BPL 25.
*” Ames, Child & Graves, “New Bookcase in Abbey Room,” (22 June 1948), BPL 25.
**“ Ames, Child & Graves, “Public Catalogue in Abbey Room” (15 April 1953), BPL 25.
* Lord, 2129.
*° Ames & Graves, “New Book Conveyor,” set of 4 drawings, (28 September 1960), BPL 37 and Jordy, 396,
footnote #48.
*! Jordy, 362.
*° Ibid.
*° Ames, Child & Graves, “Public Catalogue in Abbey Room: Details of Light Fixtures,” no. A-11, Job 898 (20
June T96Ly 7 BEL 25,
™ Perfection Glass Co., “New doors to Bates Hall,” (25 January 1963), BPL 25.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1974-75), 13; and (1975-76), 22.
“ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 9 January 1925, vol. 12:71.
*" Photo can be found in Wick on page 42.
* Ames & Graves, “Public Catalogue in Abbey Room,” nos. A-10 and A-13 (20 June 1961 and 7 September
LOGIN ple oe
“ Small (1895), 44.
™ Ames & Graves, “Public Catalogue in Abbey Room,” no. A-5 (20 June 1961), BPL 25.
“Ol
Casual Tour, 4.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 288
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
*" Description taken from illustration contained in “It Opens Today: Public Library at Last is the People’s,”
The Boston Daily Globe (1 February 1895), contained in Appendix 11.6.
*’ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 24 April 1891, vol. 3:134.
“Dr. Harold Williams to Mr. Prince, 23 April 1891, BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B14, no. 2.
™ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 15 September 1893, vol. 4:107.
* Whitehill, “Making of an Architectural Masterpiece,” 21.
* Small (1895), 54.
* Elliott to James Whitney, Librarian, 7 February 1901, BPL Papers, Ms.Bo.sLi.B14, no. 4.
“ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 29 March 1901, vol. 7:13.
“’ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 6 December 1901, vol. 7:93.
“ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 13 December 1901, vol. 7:95.
™ The Boston Public Library (1916), 34.
“ McKim to Thomas A. Fox, 26 June 1899, BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B14, no. 2.
*° Harold Williams to Dr. H.P. Bowditch, 29 July 1899, BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B14, no. 2.
* Abbott to Bowditch, 23 March 1900, BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B14, no. 3.
“° Bowditch to Williams, 28 April 1900 and James L. Whitney to Fox, 24 November 1900, BPL Papers,
Ms.Bos.Li.B14, no. 3.
“ The Boston Public Library (1921), 33.
*“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1927), 60; and (1929).
™ Lord! 2129;
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1968), 8; and (1974-75), 13.
° Wadlin, 143.
"'Tbid., 142.
*" Small (1895), 50 and BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 30 June 1893, vol. 4:85.
*S BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 1 May 1896, vol. 5:129.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1896), 18.
*° BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1897), 13.
*° BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1898), 16.
*"Wadlin, 101.
““ BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 23 February 1900, vol. 6:309.
™ Small (1908), 54.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 290
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
“McKim, Mead & White, “Plan of Lecture Room,” no. 496; “Lecture Hall: Elevation towards Boylston St.,”
no. 497; “Lecture Hall: Elevation towards stage, entrance and court,” no. 498, n.d., McKim, Mead & White
MSS, Tube 357B2.
™' BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1921), 48.
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1924).
™BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1926), 50.
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1928).
™ Ames, Child & Graves, “New Fire Escape from Lecture Hall,” 21 July 1947, BPL 19, 21.
™ Lord, 2129.
Tbid., 2130.
* Ames, Child & Graves, “Preliminary Studies of Alterations to Lecture Hall: Plan of New Mezzanine Floor
above Lecture Hall,” 22 January 1953, BPL 28.
™ Small (1908), 55.
5 0]
BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 16 June 1898, vol. 6:54 and Jenney & Fox, “Plan to Enlarge Gallery of Newspaper
Files, Plan of Patent Library,” n.d., BPL 29.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1903).
*° BPL Trustees’ Minutes, 27 March 1903, vol. 7:277.
*“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1925). These lights are also shown in Fox & Gale, “West Staircase &
Adjoining Rooms,” October 1934, BPL 29.
“™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1926), 30.
*° BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1929) and (1931),
“’ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1932).
*“ McKim to Abbott, 9 May 1890, BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B9.
*8 Ibid.
“From contents of LaFarge to McKim, 8 March 1894, McKim, Mead & White MSS, 101.
“ Contract between BPL and John Singer Sargent, 18 January 1893, BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B18a, no. 1 and
Ms.Bos.Li.B18c. Later contract dated 5 December 1894 also in Ms.Bos.Li.B18c.
*" Sargent relates this title in an undated letter to Herbert Putnam found in the BPL Papers, Ms. 1320.2.
Sargent’s Argument for Decoration was found in McKim, Mead & White MSS, 103.
*" Sargent to McKim, 25 March 1892, McKim, Mead & White MSS, 103.
** Small (1895), 62.
“ “Mr. J.S. Sargent’s Mural Decoration for the Boston Public Library, from the Academy,” Gazette (4 May
1894), BPL Papers, Ms.Bos.Li.B18a no. 1.
* Walker, 268.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 291
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
* BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1897), 14.
*" Small (1899), 66.
“Fox & Gale, “Drawings for Alterations of Certain Rooms: Barton Ticknor Room: West Wall Elevation” Job
1668, no. 5008 (10 September1926), BPL 24.
™ Fox & Gale, “Alterations of Certain Rooms: New Music Room—Old Barton Ticknor Room,” no. 5
(November 1928), BPL 24.
“ City of Boston Contract w/ Dominic A. Gentile for “Certain Painting.” Drawings files at the Boston Public
Library.
BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (197475), 12.
*" Small (1895), 65.
“* BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1897), 14.
” Casual Tour, 7.
*’ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1930), 27; and (1933), 18.
" Ames, Child & Graves, “Alterations to Exhibition Room,” (2 December 1940), BPL 41.
* Ames & Graves, “Miscellaneous Installations, Alterations & Repairs,” Job 903 (26 November 1962), BPL 41.
* Casual Tour, 11-13.
*“ Architects Design Group, “Diorama Room” (15 June 1965), BPL 41.
*’ Ames, Child & Graves, “New Lighting Fixtures in Wiggin Room,” no. 3 (18 August 1953; Rev. 29 June 1953)
BPL 41.
* McKim, Mead & White, “Gallery on Special Library Floor,” no. 536 (16 April 1892), BPL 41.
°*” Ames, Child & Graves, “Alterations to Exhibition Room: Balcony Plan”, no. 2 (2 December 1940); Ames,
Child & Graves, “Alterations to Office of Curator of Prints,” (15 August 1947, Reissued 2] June 1948), BPL 41.
8 Swift, 269.
*" Small (1895), 65.
™ Collections gathered from BPL Handbooks 1899-1930.
“! “The Boston Public Library Building: An Abstract of the Controversy,” 297.
= Walker, 239.
™ The first Architectural Library was supposed to be in the location of the Music Room (see “Music Room”).
Later, it was slated to be in the location of the Fine Arts Reading Room.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1896), 18.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1907), 12.
™ Fox & Gale, “Proposed Reconstruction West & South Galleries,” no. E.7 (April 1931), BPL 24; and Fox,
Jenney & Gale, “Plan of Special Library Floor and Annex Top Floor” no. 7 (March 1940), BPL 13.
“ Fox & Gale, “Alterations of Certain Rooms,” no. | (Nov 1928), BPL 24.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 294
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
“Fox, Jenney & Gale, “Plan of Special Library Floor and Annex Top Floor,” no. 7 (March 1940), BPL 13.
™ Fox & Gale, “Alterations of Certain Rooms,” set of 15 drawings, (Nov 1928), BPL 24.
™ Fox & Gale, “Office at West End of North Gallery” (28 August 1934), BPL 24.
™ City of Boston Contract w/ Dominic A. Gentile for “Certain Painting,” 13.
** Ibid.
““ BPL Trustees’ Annual Reports (1923) and (1928).
“ Fox & Gale, “Proposed Reconstruction West & South Galleries,” no. E.7 (April 1931), BPL 24.
“* Ames & Graves, “Modernization of Fine Arts, Science & Technology Dept.,” set of 3 drawings, Job 905 (21
August 1964), BPL 24.
“ Some of Poole’s other criticisms in this interview are discussed in Section 6.2 of this report.
* Jordy, 326 footnote — On pages 321-328 Jordy also provides a brief history of the development of library
design.
“*H.L.S., Newton Circuit (February 1, 1895).
™ Swift, 26.
™ Jordy, 328.
™' BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1898).
* BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1905, 1907).
* Lord, 246.
= BPI: Drawing Archive 10 & 19.
8.0 1990S PROJECT: McKIM BUILDING
*® Stull Associates, Inc., i.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1973-1974), 5-6. This Annual Report details consequences of Johnson
Building with regards to space and programmatic considerations.
“' BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (19741975), 10-11.
““ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1979-1980), 13.
Stull Associates, Inc., 1.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1981-1982), 22.
*' BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1983-1984), 39.
*S Tbid:, 57.
““ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1986-1987), 44.
~~
™ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1991-1992), ¢
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 295
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Boston Public Library McKim Building
Historic Structure Report Endnotes
“ Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott (SBRA), Section 02080, Phase I Part B Specifications.
“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (1976), 22.
*" SBRA, Section 04510, Phase I Part B Specs.
“8 SBRA, “Demolition of Ground Floor,” no. Al.2.
“° BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (19741975), 12.
® SBRA, Section 04510, Phase I Part B Specifications.
*' BPL Trustees’ Annual Report (19741975), 13.
*° SBRA, Section 04510, Phase I Part B Specifications.
*“ BPL Trustees’ Annual Report, (19741975), 13.
Selbid et:
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““U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, “The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties,” Preservation Assistance Brochure, 1992.
™ Tbid.
“* Tbid.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC Page 296
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