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

  • Post War Building

  • Personnel - Report not working, 1968

  • Costs of Additional 25% for Employees, 1966

  • Annual Reports, 1938-1946

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

  • Arts & Industries - Personnel Office, New, 1962

  • Buildings - NHB, Extension of/Approximate measurements for offices and laboratories

  • Freer Gallery of Art - Floors & Thresholds, 1962

  • Blinds - Venetian, 1966

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Armory Sheds

  • Natural History Building, Blueprints, C 1923-1945

  • Memorandums - Mr. Crimsley - Mr. Moulden

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Bird Central) 1907-1960

  • Supplies - Machine Shop, 1968

  • Allotments, FY 1967-FY 1970 (6 folders)

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Gasoline pump) 1907-1960

  • National Museum - Rotunda Repairs, 1928

  • Pay Checks & Bonds, 1964

  • Box 1

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland 1952-1958 (Buildings and erections) (3 folders)

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence drawers, storage, quarter unit, standard division of Archeology

  • Mechanical Services Division

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

  • Supply Division, 1951-1973

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Electric Insulation) 1907-1960 (5 folders)

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Woodworking machinery)

  • Cases - Blueprints & Blueprint Correspondence #149 storage, quarter units, division of birds (2 folders)

  • Arts & Industries - Entrance "Torginol" Floor Covering, 1964

  • Smithsonian Building (P-W) 1891-1956 (Radiation & organisms)

  • Natural History Building - West Wing, 1961-1971

  • Contracts - Washington Coca-Cola Bottling Works, Inc., 1955

  • Visitors to the SI - Day & Hour

  • Smithsonian Building 1891-1956 (B-O) (Herbarium Gallery) (2 folders)

  • Standards for Safety Officer, 1960

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Gates - folding) 1907-1960

  • Cases - Specifications; (Arts Metals Construction, Co)

  • Aircraft Building, 1919-1931: Miscellaneous

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Mechanical Equipment)

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

  • Smithsonian Building (P-W) 1891-1956 (Painting doors & windows)

  • Box 8

  • Natural History Building -West Court, 1960-1968

  • Contracts - Eno & Howard, SFC-l-2828, 1970

  • Smithsonian Research Foundation Grants, FY 1969-1970

  • National Zoological Park, 1960-1973

  • Correspondence File - BMD, 1940-1958 (19 folders)

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

  • Box 21

  • Renwick Gallery, 1973

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Foundation) 1907-1960

  • Applications for Employment with BMD, 1969

  • Cases - Furniture Loaned; (Museum)

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

  • Arts and Industries Building Water Main (1891-1957)

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Pavilions

  • Vacancies - After July 1, 1968

  • Shayne Brothers, SFC-8-0173

  • Safety Management Office

  • SIF Nos. 2001-6000, FY 1971

  • Newspaper Clippings & Specifications

  • Visitors to the SI - Daily, 1966-1967

  • Natural History Building,- East Wing, 1961-1971

  • Arts and Industries Building Galleries, Blueprints

  • Radiation Biology Lab 813x50

  • Correspondence File, Outgoing, 1970-1973

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Steam station)

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

  • Box 14

  • Box 26

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

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

  • Natural History Building (E-L) (Elevator) 1907-1960

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Sawdust removal machine)

  • Natural History Building - Partitions, 1965

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Comfort Rooms

  • Natural History Building - Elevator & Stairs, 1963

  • Memoranda and Announcements, 1968-1973

  • Building Service Division - Budget, 1973

  • Buildings - MHT, 1967-1968, 1973 (3 folders)

  • Canal Zone, 1962-1967

  • Arts & Industries - First Ladies Hall, 1964

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Fire Protection

  • Radiation Biology Laboratory - Rockville, 1968-1973

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

  • Seventeen-Thirty (1730) "H" Street, N. W.

  • Smithsonian Building (P-W) 1891-1956 (Parking space)

  • Personnel - Poverty Program Employees, 1965-1966

  • South Shed - Heat, 1962

  • Employees of BMD

  • Cases - Blueprint, Blueprint Correspondence (#153 case storage, half unit, division of mammals)

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Locks and Door Numbers

  • Suggestions, 1950-19 61

  • National Gallery of Art (NCFA) 1910-1957 (3 folders)

  • Cases - Blueprint, Blueprint Correspondence (#153 drawers, storage, half unit, division of mammals)

  • Appropriations, 1966-1970

  • WG Increase Actual Cost - FY 1969-FY 1970 (2 folders)

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

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Telephone system) (8 folders)

  • Personnel - Summer Employees, 1969-1970

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