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On Dec. 6, over 200 guests gathered to celebrate the dedication of the newly renovated U.S. Naval Observatory Library. This renovation began as a project to repair crumbling moldings around the ceiling and remove many layers of flaking lead paint applied over the last 100 years. During the 10 months the library was relocated, the project became a true renovation as decisions were made to try and recapture the original appearance of the room in the 1890s. An architectural historian was able to determine the original paint colors, and the fountain in the center of the room was replaced with one fabricated to match the original design, based on an early photograph. Lovely oak around the windows was discovered under many layers of paint. Perhaps even more striking, the bookshelf ledges at waist level and the bottom shelves around the bays in the room were discovered to be a beautiful gray/green stone once many levels of paint had been removed. The stone was then polished to a beautiful finish.
The main speaker was Dr. David DeVorkin, Curator of Astronomy at the National Air and Space Museum. His eloquent remarks on the importance of a library for researchers struck a responsive chord among the many librarians from the Washington area who were at the reception as well as the astronomers and historians who were present. Dr. DeVorkin's remarks, and those of other speakers, may be found on the library's homepage under "James Melville Gilliss Library Dedication". If PAM members visit the Washington area, they are welcome to visit our library. Just call ahead (202/762-1463) to let us know you are planning to come by as prior arrangements are required to enter the grounds.
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