1881 J.M. Marshall
for State House repairsProposed
Specifications for Repairing Hall of
the State House. Submitted by J.M. Marshall
1st After the scaffold has been erected
either plaster or wax casts must be made
of all the stucco work, care being used
to select for models, such only as pre-
sent sharp outlines the moulds to be made
with all possible care, so as to secure an
exact duplicate of old work.2nd All old columns, and plaster work
to be torn out from the floor up to an
including Large Cove at base of Dome.3rd The old arches, ribs, lookouts, and
other projections where they are sound to
be set up in their original places; where
decay has set in, or they are found de-
fective, new ones must replace them; the
whole to be well nailed, and securely brac-
ed so as to give a good ground work
to take the plaster.4th The walls, ceiling, arches, &c to receive
three coats of mortar, composed of the
best wood burnt lime, clean sharp sand
laid on straight, and true, the last or
third coat to be a sand finished to
correspond with the plastering of the balance of the
house. All arches, entablatures, cornices, mouldings
&c to be run with the best brand Plaster Paris,
and to be run and put up an exact duplicate
of what is now there. The three new arches one
over balustrade, and between stacks, and one
each over House of Delegates, and Senate cham-
ber; door, to be a duplicate of the now existing
arches, under Dome. The large arch varying
only so far as the drawing shows and to con-
form to the stacks. The new entablatures to be
added under the above arches to also be
an exact counterpart of those under old work.
All the above cast and run work to be sharp
straight, true, and free of all defects, job to be
delivered up clean and satisfactory to the Hon.
Board of Public Works of Maryland.5th The Columns if of wood to be constructed
of the very best White Pine, free from any and
all defects turned up to a true fair and smooth
surface. If Scagliola they will be of the finest
finish, in imitation of Tennessee, or any other mar-
ble that may be selected by the Board.
As shown in a drawing there will be added
four half columns and two Pilasters, these will
be finished in Perisian Cement and polished. The
Columns will be set on brick piers built from
the ground or level of cellar floor, up to level
of the half floor. These brick piers to be built
with cement and the size of the square of the
base of the columns.6th All the Plaster and Stucco work in the
Dome to be thoroughly repaired wherever broken; the
whole cleaned up and whitened such is colored now
to be colored again if desired. The sash, frames
and all work of either plaster or wood to be over
hauled and repaired.7th The Doorways from the Hall, Senate, Cham
ber lobby, House of Delegates and door under stair-
way and also five windows to be trimmed and
suplied like the doors and windows in the other
parts of the House. The doorways in the hall to
have the frontispiece now over them duplicated.
The Library Doorway will be enlarged one foot
each way with new doors jams &c complete
of the same design as the doorways now there.8th The Stairway to be rebuilt on old carriages.
(The old lines to be preserved) with new as risers
and two inch Ash tread, the old Newel and
Balusters to be returned. The rails to be worked over;
Two Figures ornamenting the Newels to be re-
bronzed.9th If Tile floors is selected it will be the best or
equal to the best Italian Tile white and black twelve
inches square beded in Rosendale Cement, laid with
close joints, and an even level floor secured; if brick
tile are used the same process will be followed if Grey's
Mastic Pavement is selected a true level floor will be
attained and a five years guarantee given to keep it
in order.10th All Wood work will be painted with three
coats of John T. Dewise Lead, and Pure Linseed Oil
of such colors as the Board of Public Works may
select. The Doors in the Hall to be grained Oke or
Walnut as may be directed.11th Gas Pipe of sufficient size to be run in the
hall so as to give two outlets at each door. These out-
lets are to be provided with stiff Bracket fixtures
two lights each. Outlets for Chandeliers to be
provided for in the ceiling and caped up.12th The State Coat of Arms, carefully taken down
and replaced after the repairs are made,
and painted again the same colors as now.
13th Finally it is the intention of these specifications
accompanied drawings jointly to cover all the repairs
to the Hall, and inner Dome, of the State House
and any item may incidentally omitted
that would render the job complete whether
herein mentioned or not it shall be the
contractors duty to do and perform faith-
fully without any extra charge so as to make
the job complete in all its parts, as satisfactory
to the Hon. Board of Public Works of Maryland.14th If the Floor is tiled in marble the wash-
boards will be marble. If any other material is
selected for the floor, the washboards will be
wood.