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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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  • Stern Sculpture, 1970

  • Pass List

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Vestibule - cleaning of marble walls)

  • Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 1966-1973

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Gas main)

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Water supply)

  • Air & Space Building, 1962

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence #154 storage, quarter unit, division of Mammals

  • Cases - Blueprints & Blueprint Correspondence

  • West Court Spray Booth (Heating & Ventilating), 1960

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (West court building) (2 folders)

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Guide Book

  • Cases - Blueprints & Blueprint Correspondence

  • Building Management Department - Position Descriptions

  • General, 1881-1945: Future Buildings

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Sewers, repair of)

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland 1952-1958 (Utilities)

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Stonework, caulking of)

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Gallery - Alcoholic storage) 1907-1960 (2 folders)

  • Arts and Industries Building Roof (1891-1957)

  • Reimbursable, FY 1971

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence #78 drawers, storage, quarter unit, standard division of Physical Anthropology

  • Scrap Salvage - Reclamation

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Comfort Rooms) 1907-1960 (2 folders)

  • John Blake Murphy - 579-14-1189 - Architect, 1966

  • Obligations by Objects, FY 1966

  • Training, 1970

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

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

  • Visitors to the SI - Daily, 1955-1956, 1964-1965

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Flagpole & Weathervane)

  • Box 20

  • Airport and Highway Sealing Company, 1966

  • Smithsonian Institution Building - Miscellaneous, 1962

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland 1952-1958 (Buildings and erections)

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland 1952-1958 (Roads and Paving)

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Building - Stone hall) 1907-1960

  • Budget Data, 1966-1972 (7 folders)

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Curtains and window shades) 1907-1960 (2 folders)

  • Smithsonian Institution Building - Secretary's Rest Room, 1962

  • Building Management Department - Clerk Stenographer, 1960

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland 1952-1958 (Handling equipment)

  • Memorandums - Recruiting, 1972

  • Status of Funds, 1971

  • 813x60 Hirshhorn

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

  • Building Management Department - Summary of Increase in Gross Floor Area, 1960-1968

  • Box 12

  • Imprest Funds, FY 1966-FY 1971 (6 folders)

  • Wage Board Survey, 1966

  • Arts and Industries Building Platform (1891-1957)

  • Cases - Specifications; (Floor for small Birds)

  • Box 6

  • Renwick Gallery - Old Corcoran-Old Court of Claims, 1966-1973

  • Tissue Copies of Temporary Employees 4000, 1969

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Fountains - drinking) 1907-1960

  • Wage Increase, GS, FY 1970

  • Natural History Building - Air & Steam, 1962-1965

  • Museum of History & Technology, 1963-1964

  • Organization Chart BMD, FY 1969

  • Collection Division 3, Natural History Building Blueprints, C 1923-1945

  • Annual Reports, 1925-1937

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland 1952-1958 (Plat Plans)

  • Smithsonian Building (P-W) 1891-1956 (Pipe shop)

  • Box 13

  • Purchase Orders, FY 1967

  • Smithsonian Building (P-W) 1891-1956 (Ventilating plant)

  • Blueprints, C 1923-1945

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Lecture Hall

  • Cases - Blueprints (no order) Specifications (no order) (2 folders)

  • Safety and Protection Division - Offense and Incident Report 1967-1968, 1971-1974

  • Buildings - NCFA-NPG, 1964-1973

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

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland 1952-1958 (National Air Museum)

  • Arts and Industries Building Radiators (1891-1957)

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

  • Master Plan - Smithsonian, 1972

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Miscellaneous correspondence) (2 folders)

  • Bills and Documents

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Building Opening) 1907-1960

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

  • Box 30

  • Carousel, 1968

  • Natural History Building - Health Rooms, 1963

  • Recruiting Action for Temporary Employees BMD, 1969

  • Nonexpendable Property Transaction, 1964-1965

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Awnings) 1907-1960

  • Natural History Building - East Court, 1963

  • Buildings - National Gallery of Art (NGA), 1973

  • Buildings - NCFA-NPG (National Portrait Gallery) 1963-1973

  • Visitors to the SI - Daily, 1968-1970

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Racks & Air conditioning, Room 29)

  • Memorandums - Union Management, 1970-1972

  • Buildings - NHB, General, 1959-1966

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Lighting Fixtures)

  • Requisition for Supplies, Services or Equipment, 1966-1971

  • Tariff Commission Identification Cards, 1969

  • Request for Building Management Services

  • Supervisors - Meetings and Special Events, 1966

  • Cases - Furniture received from other sources; Inventory

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