(1891) “New Temple of Learning, The Drexel Institute”
“New Temple of Learning, The Drexel Institute: Chauncey M. Depew to Make the Dedicatory Address on December,” Bangor Daily Whig & Courier, (Bangor, ME) Saturday, December 05, 1891; Issue 280; col C.
“The building is in the style of the classic renaissance. It is constructed of light buff brick with terra-cotta ornamentation of a darker color, the base is of rock-faced granite. The principal entrance is on Chestnut Street, by a richly-decorated portal 26 feet wide and 35 feet high, which admits to a portico enriched with colored marbles and paneled oak ceiling and this into a spacious entrance hall, the ceiling of which is supported by pillars of red Georgian marble. Beyond the entrance hall is the great central court, 65 feet square, the entire height of the building and covered with a decorated ceiling, the center of which is filled with stained glass. At the farther end of the court is the double marble stairway, ascending to the upper stories and descending to the auditorium, and to the workshops in the basement. Arcades support and enclose the broad galleries which run around the court on the second and third floors. From these galleries open the classrooms, laboratories, and studies, all of which are lighted from the exterior of the building. There is thus a free circulation of light and air throughout the entire building. The portico, entrance hall, and central court, are wainscoted in marble; the arcades are faced with enameled bricks, and the dividing cornices are of terra-cotta; the wood work throughout the building is of polished oak.”
“On the first floor, opening from the entrance hall, are the offices, the library and reading room, and the museum. The library and reading room is a fine apartment, 120 feet long by 60 feet wide. The museum is about 70 feet square. The lecture hall and auditorium are entered from the central court. The lecture hall, which has chairs for 250 students, is equipped with every appliance necessary for scientific experiments. The auditorium, which has a spacious and finny appointed hall, is capable of seating 1,500 persons. It is furnished with upholstered arm chairs. At the west end are lavatories for ladies and gentlemen. The decorations of the auditorium are in the Italian Renaissance style and harmonize with the front of the ran organ which occupies the center.”
“On the second, third and fourth floors and in the basement are the classrooms, studios and work-shops, numbering thirty-two in all. The classrooms are all of unusual size, averaging from 43 by 34 feet to 56 by 44 feet. The physical laboratories, three in number, are situated on the second floor. The chemical laboratory is on the third floor. The shops for mechanical work are in the basement. The gymnasium, occupying the fourth story of the front of the building, is entered by hallways on the third floor, with which are connected the dressing-rooms and bathrooms. The photographic studios and laboratory are on the upper floor at the rear. The cloak-rooms and lavatories, finished in marble and oak, are placed in all three stories of the building. The Trustees’ room is on the second floor.”
“In the basement are the steam, mechanical and electrical plants. The boilers, engines and dynamos are all of the most improved design and construction, and are so arranged that they can be used to excellent advantage in connection with the instruction in the mechanical and technical departments. Great attention has been paid to the heating and ventilation of the building and it is lighted throughout by electricity; for the latter purpose about 2,000 incandescent lamps will be required.”
“The entire building has been fitted with apparatus, which will secure an equable temperature at all times throughout the central court, corridors, halls, classrooms, studios, laboratories and work-shops. The cost of the building is place at $600,000.”
