USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Proceedings at the dedication of the building for the Public library of the city of Boston. January 1, 1858 > Part 8
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On the fifteenth of May, the following public notice was inserted in the newspapers :.
The Commissioners on the erection of a building for the Public Library will receive Sealed Proposals, until Friday, the first day of June next, at 12 o'clock, M., for furnishing and laying, by the thousand, all the bricks, and furnishing and setting, by the perch, all the rough stone, required in the construction of the building ; also for furnishing and setting the hammered stone, by the foot, and furnishing and setting the iron required, according to the plans adopted by the Commis- sioners, etc.
Plans, specifications and working drawings can be examined after the twenty-second instant, and information obtained at the office of C. K. KIRBY, Architect, etc.
ROBERT C. WINTHROP,
SAMUEL G. WARD,
GEORGE TICKNOR,
NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF,
CHARLES WOODBERRY,
JOSEPH A. POND, EDWARD F. PORTER,
Commissioners.
Eleven proposals were received, of which the most favor- able, for the whole work, had been made by Mr. NATHAN DRAKE, a well known and experienced mechanic of this city.
On the sixth of June, the Commissioners transmitted their second report to the City Council. The report states
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that they " propose at present to contract for the brick, stone and iron work of the frame of the building, leaving the . interior finish to be more carefully estimated and contracted for hereafter. They are unanimously of opinion that the building now proposed to be erected will be a substantial, convenient and ample edifice, absolutely fire-proof, and that it will present a front on the Common, which, without any ostentatious ornament, will do no discredit to the taste of our city. They respectfully ask for an appropriation, for the purpose of carrying out the design that has been adopted."
Upon the acceptance of the report an order was adopted " that the Treasurer bc authorized to borrow . . a sum of money not exceeding ninety-five thousand dollars, and that the same be appropriated to mcet, in part, the cost of the crection of the Public Library Building, in conformity with the report of the Commissioners."
On the fourteenth of June, the contract by and between the City of Boston, represented by the Commissioners, of the first part, and Nathan Drake, mason, of the second part, received the signature of each member of the Board and of Mr. Drake, in the presence of his Honor the Mayor, and the Clerk and Architect of the Commission.
The rooms in Mason street having been entirely filled, the Trustees applied to the City Council for additional apart- ments for the temporary deposit of books. This application was referred to the Committee on Public Buildings, who im- mediately placed at the disposal of the Trustees two small rooms in the Quincy school house, in Tyler street.
The following orders for the purchase of additional land, passed the City Council, by a very large votc :
CITY OF BOSTON : In Common Council, July 5, 1855.
Ordered, - That the Treasurer be, and he is hereby, authorized to borrow . . a sum not exceeding twenty-four thousand dollars, the same
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to be applied to the purchase of a lot of land, situated on Van Ranas- leer place, and adjoining the land upon which the Public Library build- ing is being erected ; said lot, or a portion thereof, to be added to the library estate.
Passed ; yeas 40, nay 1. Sent up for concurrence.
JOSEPH STORY, President.
In Board of Aldermen, July 9, 1855. Concurred ; yeas 9, nays 3. WILLIAM WASHBURN, Chairman. July 12, 1855. Approved.
J. V. C. SMITH, Mayor.
It was also
Ordered, - That the Committee on Public Buildings be, and they hereby are, instructed to purchase forthwith the lot of land on Van Ransaleer place, and that, when said purchase is effected, the land shall be added to the library estate, and placed at the disposal of the Com- missioners on the erection of the building.
The Committee referred the subject to a sub-committee, consisting of Alderman SALMA E. GOULD and Councilmen ARTEMAS STONE and JOSEPH A. POND, who proceeded to purchase the land, and, on the fourth of August, they form- ally notified the Commissioners that the same had been added to the library estate, and placed at their disposal.
The Commissioners were constantly and actively engaged, with the regular attendance and assistance of the Architect, in the discharge of their duties, frequent meetings being held at the Mayor's office, City Hall. In order to guard the in- terests of the City, Messrs. David Granger and William Sparrell, surveyors, were appointed "to inspect and measure the work, from time to time, as the Architect may direct."
On the fifth of September, the Commissioners formally notified the City Council that the work was in such a state of forwardness, that the corner-stone might be laid on the seventeenth instant. A committee of arrangements was
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appointed, and, at the request of the Commissioners, the corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, on Mon- day, the seventeenth day of September, at four o'clock, P.M., by his Honor, J. V. C. SMITH, the mayor, in presence of the City Council, and a great concourse of people. On this occa- sion, an eloquent and appropriate address was delivered by Hon. ROBERT C. WINTHROP, the President of the Commission.
As soon as information was received by Mr. BATES, the munificent patron of the library, in London, that the erection of the building had been commenced, he addressed a letter to the Mayor, in which he says,
I learn with great satisfaction that the building for a free public library, for which such liberal appropriations have been made by the City Council, is in progress of erection. .. It has been with the great- est pleasure that I have, from time to time, learned that even under the disadvantage of temporary and inconvenient premises for the arrange- ment of its books and the accommodation of those who use them, it has found great favor with the community and with many liberal indi- viduals, and has already given promise of becoming an ornament and a blessing to the City.
It is, I understand, certain, that within two years a building will be completed of dimensions amply sufficient for the reception at once of a large number of books, and for the regular future increase of the library. . . It is desirable and important to render this free. public library at once extensively useful as a large collection of books in as many departments of human knowledge as possible. For this purpose I now propose, in addition to the fund of fifty thousand dollars already constituted, to purchase and present to the City a considerable number of books in trust, that the same shall always be accessible, in a conve- nient and becoming library building, to the inhabitants of Boston gener- ally, under such regulations as may be deemed needful by the persons to whom the government of the institution may, from time to time, be confided.
This new and liberal offer was gratefully accepted, with suitable acknowledgments, by the City Council, and it was
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Resolved, - That the Mayor be desired to request Mr. Bates, in the name of the City of Boston, to sit for his bust, in marble or bronze, at his pleasure, and to any artist he may select, in order that it may be placed in the building of the Public Library, as an enduring memorial of the City's obligation and gratitude.
The letter and the action thercon were sent to the Trus- tees, who, on the eighteenth of October, reported, that "the rooms in Mason street and in the Quincy school house can contain no more books than will, in the course of the next two months, be placed in them, independently of the large additions offered by Mr. Bates. The Trustees, therefore, find themselves wholly without means to meet the require- ments made upon them. They have nowhere to put the books that Mr. Bates is about to send. In consequence, they ask the City Government for a further appropriation, to be expended in hiring suitable premises where shelves may be immediately erected, and the books be opened, aired, catalogued and arranged; in paying for the services of the persons who will, necessarily, be employed in this work; and in meeting the incidental expenses, so that the books can be put upon the shelves of the new building as soon as that structure shall be completed. Otherwise, a year or more will be lost before the books can be prepared, in the new building, for public use. Besides which, the Trustees would not, willingly, be held responsible for the injury to which the books will certainly be exposed, unless other premises than they now possess are provided."
This communication was referred to the Committee on the Library, who subsequently reported " that the rooms appropriated to the library are already filled to overflow- ing, so that no more books can be placed in them, nor can their capacity be enlarged. A commodious building should be rented without delay, where they may be received and pre- pared to take their places upon the shelves of the new build- ing. . . Three thousand dollars, it is believed, will be needed
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to provide suitable premises, to shelve, warm and light the rooms for use, and to pay the persons who will be indis- pensable to prepare the books for circulation."
The necessary appropriation having been made, the sub- ject was referred by the Trustees to a sub-committee, who reported that they had rented " the house No. 13, on the east side of Boylston place, for the reception and preparation for use of books that have been or may be received from Mr. Bates, or otherwise."
On the thirteenth of November, the third annual report of the Trustees was received. Of the new building they remark :
" The plan of the building, it is believed, includes the most recent improvements in the construction of public libra- ries. It will be completely fire-proof, being almost wholly constructed of stone, brick and iron. A double outside wall will secure it from dampness, and it will be thoroughly warmed and ventilated. It will contain convenient rooms for readers, for the consultation of books, for the circulating department, for the main collection, for the reception, un- packing and preparation for the shelves of the books from time to time received, and for the various other miscella- neous purposes of a first-class public library. The addition liberally made to the original lot upon Boylston street, by the purchase of the intervening piece of ground on Van Ren- salaer place, besides the great advantage of access in the rear, will afford an opportunity for large future addition to the building, should such addition become necessary. The front view, on the Common, is unsurpassed for air, prospect and beauty, and can never be obstructed. In a word, the Trustees feel confident that the building, when completed, though without any pretensions to ostentatious magnificence, which were wisely avoided, will be found to compare favor- ably with any public building in the world, of its size and kind, for position, convenience, and adaptation to the pur- poses for which it was designed. It will be regarded, they
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doubt not, both by the present generation and in after times, as a noble monument to the liberality of the City Govern- ment, which has furnished the means for its erection."
On the third of December, the Commissioners submitted their third report to the City Council, being City Document No. 59.
The delays necessarily arising out of the purchase by the City of the additional land in the rear, having conspired, with other causes, to prevent the building from being roofed as early as had been anticipated and agreed upon, on the twenty-second of the same month, by order of the Commis- sioners, the Architect proceeded "to construct a temporary roof over the building, without delay."
On the seventeenth of January, 1856, the annual election of Commissioners from the City Council was made, and PEL- HAM BONNEY, Esq., Chairman of the Board of Aldermen, and Messrs. JOSEPH A. POND and JOSEPH BUCKLEY of the Com- mon Council, were chosen.
Active preparations were now made for the interior finish of the building. Plans, specifications and models were exe- cuted. In order finally to determine the question whether the shelves should be fixed or movable, on the second of April, it was
Ordered, - That the Trustees be requested to furnish this Board with their opinion in regard to movable shelves.
The President was then " instructed to request a sufficient number of experts to furnish him with their opinions in regard to movable shelves, together with the reasons on which their opinions are based." Letters were accordingly addressed, to J. G. Cogswell, of the Astor Library, New York; J. MacMullen, of the New York Society Library; C. Folsom, of the Boston Atheneum; J. S. Meyer, of the Congress Library, Washington; G. H. Moore, Librarian of
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the New York Historical Society; W. F. Poole, Librarian of the Boston Mercantile Library Association; J. L. Sibley, Librarian of Harvard College; S. B. Woolworth, of the New York State Library. Replies from these gentlemen having been received, the following opinion of the Trustees was read :-
PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE CITY OF BOSTON.
In Board of Trustees, April 15, 1856.
Resolved, - That, in the opinion of this Board, it is expedient that, in the new library building, the shelves above the counters should be fixed, and those below the same be so adjusted as to be movable.
It was thereupon voted, by the Commissioners, " that the recommendation of the Trustees be adopted."
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On the twenty-third of April, in consequence of the in- creased space in the rear, it was
Ordered, - That the towers of the building be extended two and a half feet beyond the line agreed upon in the contract.
On the twenty-second of May, a letter was received by his Honor, ALEXANDER H. RICE, the mayor, from GEORGE TICKNOR, Esq., resigning his place in the commission, on account of "arrangements for an absence from the United States." The City Council proceeded to fill the vacancy thus created, and Hon. EDWARD EVERETT, LL. D., was elected.
In parting from their associate, the Board adopted the following resolution : " that the Commissioners have learned with sincere regret, that the proposed absence of Mr. Tiek- nor from the country has induced him to resign his seat at this Board, and they desire to express to him their deep sense of his faithful and valuable services during his con- nection with them, since the organization of this Board, and their cordial wishes for his prosperity and welfare."
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The plans and specifications for the interior finish having been carefully prepared and approved, a public notice was issued, inviting proposals for furnishing the materials and performing the work for the interior construction of the building.
On the twenty-third of July, contracts were entered into and signed by the Commissioners, in the presence of his Honor the Mayor, with MORRISON & SHAW, carpenters ; DENIO & ROBERTS, blacksmiths; A. WENTWORTH & Co., marble workers; PHILIP & THOMAS KELLEY, plaster and stucco workers; LUCIUS NEWELL, painter and glazier; and STRATER & BUCKLEY, plumbers.
The fourth report of the Commissioners informed the City Council of the progress of the building and of the plans for the interior finish. " A public notice for proposals for furnishing materials and executing this part of the work was issued on the twenty-eighth day of April last, agreeably to which, twenty-eight separate proposals were received, opened and examined by the Commissioners, on the twen- tieth day of May. On a careful examination of these pro- posals the Board have come to the conclusion, after frequent comparison and much consideration, that a sum of not less than sixty thousand dollars will be necessary for the com- pletion of the outside and inside of the library building.
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" The Commissioners have not included in this estimate . the cost of the furniture and book-cases, nor of the fences which may be required in front and in the rear of the library lot."
Upon the reception of this report, the following order was passed :-
CITY OF BOSTON : In Common Council, June 5, 1856.
Ordered, - That the Treasurer be, and he hereby is, authorized to borrow . .. a sum of money not exceeding sixty thousand dollars, and that the same be appropriated to meet, in part, the cost of the erection
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of the Public Library building, in conformity with the report of the Commissioners, dated the third instant.
1 Passed ; yeas 33, nays none. Sent up for concurrence.
OLIVER STEVENS, President.
In Board of Aldermen, June 9, 1856. Concurred ; yeas 10, nay 1. PELHAM BONNEY, Chairman.
Approved June 13, 1856.
ALEX. H. RICE, Mayor.
In July, the City Government purchased some additional land, in consequence of the following message from Mayor RICE.
MAYOR'S OFFICE, BOSTON, JULY 14, 1856. To the City Council.
GENTLEMEN, -I have the honor to communicate the fact, that an opportunity is now offered, in which the City may purchase a small strip of land adjoining the estate of the Public Library, and belonging to J. H. Wolcott, Esq. . . It is desirable for the purpose of securing light and air for the library building, as well as to secure the premises against the ercction of objectionable buildings in the future, that this land should be purchased by the City.
I am authorized to state that Mr. Wolcott will sell the land to the City, for the purpose intimated, at the same price which was paid for corresponding land on which the library building now stands. Regard- ing this measure as intimately connected with the convenience and ornament of this valuable institution, I cordially recommend the pro- posed purchase to the favorable consideration of the City Council.
Very respectfully,
ALEX. H. RICE, Mayor.
After the reading of the message, it was
Ordered, - That the Committee on Public Buildings be authorized and instructed to purchase a strip of land adjoining the Public Library lot, . . provided the same can be purchased on terms as favorable as those upon which the adjoining lands were purchased by the City. .
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This Committee subsequently reported, through their Chairman, Alderman JOHN T. DINGLEY, that they had effected the purchase of the land.
The fifth report of the Commissioners was received by the City Council on the fourth of December. It states that " the progress of the building has been all that could rea- sonably have been expected. The exterior has been finished and the stagings removed, and the various contractors are proceeding with the interior as rapidly as the character of the work will allow.
" The Commissioners cannot conclude their report with- out gratefully acknowledging the wise forethought of the City Council in purchasing the vacant strip of land on the westerly side of the library building. This piece of land has now been added to the library lot, and the walls en- closing it are nearly completed. It will add materially to the light and ventilation of the edifice, and nothing further seems to be required to secure for the institution the whole advantages of the site selected for it."
Upon the application of the Trustees, on the seventeenth of the same month, it was voted by the Commissioners, " that the room in the basement under the large reading room, be placed at the disposal of the Trustecs for the temporary deposit of cases of books."
On the nineteenth of January, 1857, the annual election of persons to represent the City Council in the Commission, was held, and Alderman PELHAM BONNEY and Messrs. JOSEPH A. POND and WILLIAM PARKMAN, members of the Common Council, were chosen.
On the twenty-ninth of April, the Board submitted its sixth report, of which the following is an extract :-
" The undersigned are now ready to contract for the shelving of the Library, having received and examined pro- posals therefor, and they have reason to fear that any fur- ther delay in executing this part of their commission may
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postpone the completion of the building beyond the time herctofore contemplated for that purpose. .. With a view to covering this item of outlay, and also of providing for the cost of the fences, and any contingencies which may occur in finishing so extensive an edifice, the undersigned request an appropriation of fifty thousand dollars, for the further prosecution of the trust committed to them."
The appropriation having been granted, on the twentieth of May, in presence of his Honor the Mayor, the Commis- sioners signed a contract with MORRISON & SHAW, for the shelves for the circulating library room and for the lower range of alcoves in the main hall. At the same time, a con- tract was made with WILLIAM SCHUTZ, artist, for painting and ornamenting the walls and ceilings of the large hall, the vestibule, the reading rooms and the conversation room.
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Contracts were also made with BALDWIN & EMERSON, for constructing a sidewalk, and with EDWARD F. MEANY, for sandstone for the fence in front of the building; also, with MORRISON & SHAW, for the erection of stagings for the use of the decorators.
The rooms in the west tower having been completed, on the twenty-fourth of June, the Commissioners assembled and held the first meeting in the new building, whichi, thereafter, became their regular place of meeting.
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The seventh communication of the Board to the City Council, was as follows :-
" The undersigned . . have had a careful estimate pre- parcd of the payments still to be made, under contracts already existing, and of such additional payments as will be required in finishing and furnishing the building. In con- formity with this estimate . . they ask a final appropriation of the sum of sixty thousand dollars, to enable them to mcet the liabilities mentioned.
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" The authorized transfer, by thic Auditor, of eleven thou- sand and eight hundred dollars from the amount herctofore
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appropriated to the use of the Commissioners, and its expenditure in purchasing an addition to the Library lot, has increased, by that amount, the appropriation now re- quired. The same proceeding has exhausted the means at . their disposal at an earlier period than had been antici- pated."
This application was referred to the Committee on Fi- nance, and, upon their recommendation, the appropriation was made by the City Council.
On the fourth of November, occurred the only casualty connected with the erection of the entire structure. About one o'clock, a man named Thomas Rowan, who was engaged in painting on the outside of the building, sitting upon a scaffold which projected from one of the towers in the rear, missed his hold and fell, a distance of about sixty feet, to the ground. In his fall, he struck an iron door and was · instantly killed. Contributions in aid of his family were made by the Commissioners, members of the City Govern- ment and others.
On the tenth of November, the fifth annual report of the Trustees was received. They remark, " All the operations of the Library during the year, as in former years, have been carried on to the same disadvantage that has been men- tioned in former reports of the Board, in consequence of the limited extent of the premises in Mason street. These disadvantages will all speedily cease, by the completion of the spacious new building in Boylston street, although some time will be required after the surrender of the building by the Commissioners, before the books can be placed upon the shelves, and a catalogue be printed which shall be adapted to the new locality, and without which the books cannot be put in circulation. The Trustees pro- pose, however, while most of this unavoidable labor is going on in the new building, to keep open the Library in Mason street as usual, closing it only for the removal
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of the books contained in it, and for the shortest time possible."
On the first day of January, 1858, the Commissioners assembled at the Library building and, after authorizing the President to deliver up the keys to the Mayor of the City, they procceded to the platform erected in the large hall, when the ceremonies of dedication took place. A full detail of the same will be found upon the preceding pages.
The building having been dedicated, it was found that, in consequence of the great concourse of people attending upon the ceremonies and visiting it upon the succeeding day, various parts of the building had been injured to a con- siderable extent. For the purpose of making the necessary repairs, as well as to provide the furniture required, and to adjust all claims against the Board, meetings of the Com- missioners were continued at stated periods.
On the fourth of February, the repairs having been com- pleted, it was
Ordered, - That the Clerk be directed to notify the Trustees of the Library, that nothing remains to be done that can interfere with the removal of the books at as early a day as they deem proper.
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