Peter Banner, Preliminary plan for Antiquarian Hall - The central entry hall provided access to the librarian’s office and the cabinet on the left and a meeting room and stairways to the right. Peter Banner, Preliminary Plan for the American Antiquarian Society, 1818. Thomas directed that the fireplaces against the outer walls were not to be used as built. “Too much care cannot be taken as it respects fire,” he wrote in 1823. “No fire is ever to be made in the Rooms occupied for the Library & Cabinet and no fire must be made in the room appropriated for the Librarian until the woodwork of the fireplace is taken away, or covered at least half way up with tin or sheet iron, and the floor, adjoining the Hearth, covered at least four feet, each way where the Hearth projects with tin or sheet Lead, after which a Stove should be used, placed back from the Hearth. No fire or lights to be used after Sunset.” AAS Archives Box 1 Folder 12.
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The Amerian Antiquarian Society, 1812-2012 - A View at the Bicentennial
