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Records

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

Object Details

Topic
Buildings -- Maintenance
Buildings -- Repair and reconstruction
Museum buildings
Smithsonian buildings
Architectural design
See more items in
Records
Historical Note
The Buildings Management Department (BMD) and its predecessors operated, maintained, and protected the Smithsonian's offices, museums, and research facilities in the Washington, D.C., area. They provided security for museum collections, and information, direction, and assistance to Smithsonian visitors. In performing these duties, the Department supplied engineering, design, fabrication, repair, communication, transportation, special mechanical, and safety services. Henry Horan was the first Superintendent of Buildings, holding that position from 1880 to 1896. In 1896, J. Elfreth Watkins became Chief of the newly created Division of Buildings and Superintendence. Another reorganization in 1902 gave Watkins the title of Superintendent and James S. Goldsmith that of Supervisor of Construction. In 1904, the Division of Construction and Labor was created. The title was changed to Buildings and Labor in 1915, Buildings and Grounds in 1954, and Buildings Management Department in 1958. Goldsmith was Superintendent from 1904 to 1935; Royal H. Trembly held the position from 1935 to 1943; and Lawrence L. Oliver held it from 1943 to 1957. Oliver became Buildings Manager in 1958 and was succeeded by Andrew F. Michaels in 1959. In 1965 the title was changed to Director of Buildings Management Department and Michaels held the position until 1973. In 1973, the Buildings Management Department was reorganized into a number of newly created offices.
Extent
29.58 cu. ft. (29 record storage boxes) (1 tall document box)
Date
1881-1973
Archival Repository
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Identifier
Record Unit 157
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Architectural drawings
Black-and-white photographs
Manuscripts
Sketches
Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 157, Smithsonian Institution. Buildings Management Department, Records
Genre/Form
Architectural drawings
Black-and-white photographs
Manuscripts
Sketches
Descriptive Entry
These records include records of the Buildings Management Department and its predecessors, including subject files, photographs, plans, reports, sketches, drawings, blueprints, memoranda, and correspondence concerning maintenance, financial matters, labor and supply costs, visitors, receptions, exhibitions, guard forces, and buildings maintained by the Department. Annual reports from the Superintendent of Buildings and Labor (1902-1946) contain maintenance reports of the Division; financial statements broken down by maintenance, labor, and supply costs; salary of staff positions; visitor reports of the United States National Museum and Smithsonian Institution Building; special visitors, receptions and exhibitions in the USNM; and watch force reports. Buildings maintained by the Division included the Smithsonian Institution Building, Arts and Industries Building, Museum of Natural History Building, Ninth Street Annex, Emery Building, and South Shed. There is a table of contents for each report beginning with the annual report of 1907. Reports are arranged in chronological order. Buildings and museums represented in this collection include: Anacostia Museum, Barney Studio House, Belmont Conference Center, National Museum of History and Technology, National Museum of Natural History, National Collection of Fine Arts, National Portrait Gallery, National Air and Space Museum (formerly the National Air Museum), Arts and Industries Building, Freer Gallery of Art, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Radiation Biology Laboratory, Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institution Building, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center, and Silver Hill Facility.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1503510669159-1503510669168-0
Metadata Usage
CC0

In the Collection

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  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence #78 drawers, storage, quarter units, standard division of Graphic Arts

  • Twenty-Fourth Street Exhibit (24th Street), 1961

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Gas installation) 1907-1960

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence #78 drawers, storage, quarter unit, standard division of Invertebrate Paleontology & Paleobotany

  • National Museum - Mammal Gallery, 1951

  • Arts and Industries Building Plan (1891-1957)

  • Recruiting Action - FY 1969-FY 1971 (3 folders)

  • Complaints - Freer Building, 1953-1961

  • Stewart, Dr. T. D., 1964

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Painting contracts) (2 folders)

  • Arts & Industries Building 813x50

  • General, 1881-1945: Auction Sales

  • Smithsonian Institution Building - Rooms, 1962-1965

  • Elevator - Parts, Repairs, etc., 1968

  • Blueprints, C 1923-1945 (23 folders)

  • Building Inspector Report/Cleaning Forms Museum of Natural History (MNH)

  • Building Management Department - FY 1971

  • Natural History Building - Bird Eviction, 1963

  • Fine Arts & Portrait Gallery 813x50

  • Parts - Repair Parts - Replacement Parts, 1968

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Comport stations)

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Laborers Toilets

  • Trucks - SI Parts, Repairs, etc., 1966

  • Personnel, FY 1969-FY 1973 (5 folders)

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Langley Day Ceremonies)

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Grounds SI)

  • Supplies Sheet metal Shop, 1968

  • Promotion of Laborer Leaders, 1969

  • Visitors to SI, 1921-1972

  • Supplies - Cabinet Shop, 1968

  • Survey - BMD - Mechanical Services, 1969

  • Oceanographic Sorting Center 813x50

  • Memorandums - Parking, 1973

  • Box 11

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Numbering & Lettering of doors)

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Wings)

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Downspouts)

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Chapel, tie rods)

  • Contracts - Murphy Marble Co., 1969

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Gallery, Library room 27)

  • Other Divisions, FY 1966

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Cleaning) 1907-1910

  • Carpet - Cushion, Rug Anchor, Rug, 1969

  • Organizational Chart

  • Trucks - Material Handling, 1968

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (West end) (3 folders)

  • Natural History, Proposed Museum of, 1973

  • Building Service Division - Organizational Chart

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Lawns

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence #78 drawer, storage, quarter unit, standard division of Mineralogy & Petrology

  • Box 2

  • Storage Space, 1971-1973

  • Three Red Lines, 1966-1972

  • 813x20 NHB 33x0127

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Scales weighing)

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Skylights)

  • Cases - Blueprints (no order) Specifications (no order) (29 folders)

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Partitions)

  • Memorandums - Mr. Doane

  • Box 3

  • Arts and Industries Building Roadway North Front A&I, & SD (1891-1957)

  • Smithsonian Institution 813x50

  • Building Management Department - Budget Office - Recruit, 1969

  • Smithsonian Building, 1959-1973

  • SIF Nos. 6001-8000, FY 1971

  • Building Management Department - Operating Procedures, 1972

  • Ripley, S. D. - Reading File, 1963-1973

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Painting)

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Protective Devices)

  • General, 1881-1945: Hygienic & Sanitary Conditions

  • Weekend Duty Schedules & Reports, 1973

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence #64 drawer, insects, standard

  • Roadways, SI Service, 1955-1958

  • Box 29

  • SIF Nos. 0106-7154, FY 1969

  • Record of Temporary Employees 4000, 1969

  • Lighting (New Floor)

  • Visitors to the SI - Daily, 1971

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Smithsonian Park, changing of)

  • Saws

  • Memorandums - Mr. Pflieger - Mr. Minnich

  • Cases - Specifications; (Report on Committee Bases)

  • Freer Building Skylights (1910-1957)

  • Smithsonian Building (P-W) 1891-1956 (Wiring)

  • Building Service Division - Re-organizational Proposal

  • Ramsey Building - Air Material S-H, 1970-1972

  • Remodeling Northwest Tower - Fireproofing Aircraft Building, 1929

  • Pollution Changes, 1970

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Crypt - Smithson)

  • Survey - BMD, 1967

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Vacuum cleaning system)

  • General, 1881-1945: Inauguration

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Painting & Plastering) (2 folders)

  • Supplies - Natural History, 1968

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Enamel Brick

  • Purchase Orders, 1968-1969

  • Keyman's Campaign Report, 1944-1948

  • Natural History Building - Halls, 1964-1970 (10 folders)

  • Survey - BMD - Special Studies, 1964-1967

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Screens)

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