[U.S. Treasury Building, and old State Department Building, 15th St. & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.]

Format:

Image

Contributor:

Bowman, Alexander H.

Mills, Robert, 1781-1855.

Rogers, Isaiah, 1800-1869.

Walter, Thomas Ustick, 1804-1887.

Young, Ammi B. (Ammi Burnham), 1799-1874.

Visual Materials Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

public buildings (governmental buildings)--District of Columbia--Washington.

Public buildings--District of Columbia--Washington.

15th St. & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. (Washington, D.C.).

U.S. Treasury Building (Washington, D.C.) Extension--1858-1869.

U.S. State Department Building (Washington, D.C.)--1836-1866.

Local Subjects:

15th St. & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. (Washington, D.C.).

U.S. Treasury Building (Washington, D.C.) Extension--1858-1869.

U.S. State Department Building (Washington, D.C.)--1836-1866.

Physical Description:

5 photoprints : b&w ; 10 3/4 x 14 1/2 in. on board 13 1/2 x 20 in. or smaller

Contained In:

Walter, Thomas Ustick. Architectural archive.

Place of Publication:

[1858-1866]

Notes:

This miscellaneous collection of exterior views of the Treasury Building show various stages of its development during the mid-19th century. One view, which shows primarily the old State Department building, includes at left a portion of Robert Mills long Greek facade of the Treasury Building on 15th St., while still attached to the State Department. James M. Goode in Capital losses (1979), p.293, shows a similar photo, stating that the old State Department building was demolished around 1866, in order that the north wing of the Treasury Building might be constructed. Only one photo is identified, as the "Treasury Extension, South front, Oct. 1, 1858". The other items are identified from reference sources. For a fuller explanation of the history of the Treasury Building, see the Walter drawing (1853), cataloged separately.

The original Treasury Building was designed & constructed by Robert Mills 1836-1842. Thomas Ustick Walter is credited with the design of the extension of the building, ca. 1852-1853. However, around 1853 the Treasury Dept. created its own building department, with its own architects, who carried out the actual construction and design modifications in construction. These architects are documented by Daniel D. Reiff in Washington architect 1791-1861 : problems in development (1971), p.36-37. Ammi B. Young is credited with the South Wing, 1855-1860, Isaiah Rogers with the West Wing, 1862-1864, and A.B. Mullett with the demolition of the old Executive Building, i.e. the Old State Department Building, and the construction of the North Wing, 1866-1869. William H. Pierson (1966,1969) American buildings and their architects, v.1, note 10.13, p.479-480, credits Caption Alexander H. Bowman with the creation of measured drawings from Mills original building, which guided the construction of the later wings.

Forms part of: Walter, Thomas Ustick. Thomas Ustick Walter architectural archives.