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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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  • Naval Weapons Building Correspondence, 1964-1971

  • Cases - Blueprints, Blueprint Correspondence

  • Memorandums - Mr. Murphy

  • Memorandums - Salaries & Funds, 1970-1972

  • Fine Art and Portrait Gallery, 1961-1968

  • SAO Road Improvements

  • Rentals, FY 1968

  • Buildings - MHT, Movement to, 1958-1964

  • Building Inspector Report/Cleaning Forms Museum of History and Technology (MHT)

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957; Gate

  • Special Events, 1972-1973

  • Canceled Requisitions, FY 1967-1971

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Steam supply line between NH & SI)

  • General, 1881-1945: Laundry Services

  • Upgrading of Guards, FY 1969

  • Natural History Building (M-Sm) 1907-1960 (Roof N.H.) 1958-1960

  • Michaels, A. F., National Air and Space Museum, 1958-1973 (5 folders)

  • Supplies - Paint Shop, 1968

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Door Locks) 1907-1960

  • Box 23

  • Cases - Blueprints & Blueprint Correspondence Northwest wing & existing Building

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence

  • Natural History Building (A-D) (Cracks - Settlement) 1907-1960

  • Arts and Industries Building, 1891-1957: Heating Plants

  • Feasibility Studies 813x50

  • Baltimore Property, 1966

  • Costs for NCFA & NPG (Civil Service), FY 1967

  • Record Management Program, 1952-1969

  • Hours - Proposed Extension Buildings, 1966

  • Bicentennial Purchase Orders, 1965

  • Machines - Inc. Typewriters, Thermo-Fax, etc., 1968

  • Personnel - Private Funds, 1961-1967

  • Memorandums - Employment, 1972

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence division of Ethnology

  • Buildings - Arts & Industries, 1968

  • Vacancies - FY 1969-FY 1971 (3 folders)

  • Cases - Specifications; (Anthropology)

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

  • Museum of History & Technology - 64-9 Proposed Shipping Office, 1964

  • Freer Building - Stonework Caulking of, (1910-1957)

  • Protection Division, 1970-1974

  • Aircraft Building, 1919-1931: Transfer of the Aircraft Building

  • Cases - Specifications; (Standard Metal Bookstand)

  • National Diary, 1934

  • Memorandums - Film Theater, 1972

  • Correspondence File, Outgoing, 1970

  • General, 1881-1945: Air Drying Machines

  • Arts and Industries Building New Boilers, Correspondence & Blueprints (1900-1902) (8 folders)

  • SIF-l-0089 SI Information System, 1971

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

  • Transfer of Employees & Increases in Salaries - FY 1966-FY 1971 (6 folders)

  • Re-extension of NHB: Agreements and Contract

  • Buildings - National Air Museum, Suitland, 1968

  • Box 10

  • Smithsonian Previews - Auditorium MNH, 1953

  • Arts and Industries Building Southwest Range (1891-1957)

  • Architects Applications

  • SIF Nos. (Open), FY 1970

  • Natural History Building - Renovation, 1966-1973

  • Building Management Department - Programs Officer, 1970-1974

  • Astrophysical Observatory Yard, 1962

  • Box 27

  • Standards for Secretary Series, 1961

  • Natural History Building - Ladies Rest Room, 1962

  • Federal Personnel Manual Letter, 1968

  • General, 1881-1945: Towels

  • Employees

  • Memorandums - Food Service, 1972

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

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Gallery of Art Building)

  • Cases - Blueprints - Blueprint Correspondence #66 case, storage special Herbarium

  • Natural History Building (E-L) Floor Space) 1907-1960

  • Visitors to the SI - Yearly Totals, 1960-1972

  • Buildings - Natural History Building (NHB), Auditorium, 1961-1971

  • Natural History Building - Guard Booth & Parking, 1963

  • Natural History Building (St-W) 1907-1960 (Wash basins & sinks)

  • Belmont Estates, 1966-1969

  • Box 5

  • Cases - Specifications; (Standard & Special)

  • Building Management Department - Director, 1958

  • Silver Hill Fire Department, 1958-1962

  • Freer Gallery of Art - Storm Windows, 1962

  • Supervisors - All, 1959-1970

  • Smithsonian Building (B-O) 1891-1956 (Exterior repairs)

  • Silver Hill Facility - Suitland (Building #15 Suitland) 1952-1958

  • Buildings - GSA - Leased Property - Lamont Street (2 folders)

  • Natural History Building - Water, 1957-1963

  • Recruitment Curtailment, FY 1969

  • Untitled

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

  • Flags & Flag Poles - Painting, Parts & Service, 1960-1971

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

  • Cases - Blueprints, Blueprint Correspondence (#150 Drawer, storage, half units, division of birds)

  • Pathology Move (Armed Forces), 1968-1969

  • Federal Supply, 1968

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

  • Standards for WS Grades, 1969

  • Supplies - Director's Office, 1968

  • Survey - BMD - MNH, 1968

  • Supplies - Cleaning, 1968

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