New Building Construction

Samuel Wetzel, Superintendent of Building and Repairs, prepares a blueprint and estimate of cost, amounting to $1,165.94, for the chapel and assembly room. Richard H. Pratt forwards both documents to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt and includes an explanatory cover letter.

Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz approves plans and an estimate for constructing a building that will function as a chapel and assembly room at the Carlisle Indian School. Schurz grants authority to spend $1,165.94 on the project. 

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from…

Richard Henry Pratt asks Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt requests that funds be transferred to his account in New York to pay for the chapel, which is almost finished.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that the construction of the chapel and assembly room is completed and will be where the school holds its Christmas celebration. Pratt accepts the building as a gift from the Department of the Interior and invites Hayt to join them for the holiday.

Note: This item was…

Richard Henry Pratt writes two letters to officials at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, inquiring why needed funds for the construction of the chapel have not been provided. In the first letter, to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, Pratt notes that he has borrowed money to fill the financial gap. In the second letter, to Edwin J. Brooks,…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he desires a hospital that is purposely designed to be a hospital, isolated from the rest of the school, and on higher ground. He requests to spend $4,550 to construct a new hospital housing 12 beds south of the South Barracks. Pratt encloses several documents.

First, Surgeon…

Richard Henry Pratt explains to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that the price of lumber has increased by 25% since building the chapel. He also describes his issues in obtaining funding to install steam heating in the boys' quarters, and due to lack of funds, requests to postpone building a new hospital until the heating is finished.

Richard Henry Pratt submits plans and specifications for building a new Hospital on the grounds of the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he has received multiple estimates for the cost of the building as well as supplies and believes that the use of Indian Apprentices will greatly reduce labor costs. He states that the old Hospital…

Richard Henry Pratt submits the abstract of bids for material and part of the labor to build a hospital for the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt includes the advertisement that appeared in the Herald and Mirror as well as the Valley Sentinel. Pratt notes that he is unhappy with the bidding process due to the lack of bids which he…

Richard Henry Pratt provides a copy of blueprints for building a small house for the disciplinarian of the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that the house will allow room for additional pupils.

Richard Henry Pratt transmits to the Bureau of Indian Affairs plans for a building at the Carlisle Indian School to include a kitchen, dining room, laundry, and a sewing room along with a cellar for commissary supplies, root cellar, and coal bin. Pratt notes that using School labor and materials he can cut the cost down from the estimates given…

Correspondence regarding a request of Richard Henry Pratt to have funds for building a new dining room to be sent to him.

Correspondence discussing the appropriation of $37,500 for improvements to the Carlisle Indian School including the acquisition of the neighboring Parker farm, a new large boys’ dormitory, a school barn, and some other improvements.  A letter from Pratt explaining the need for the new facilities is included as part of the document.

Clinton B. Fisk, Chairman of the Board of Indian Commissioners, provides his inspection of the Carlisle Indian School to John D. C. Atkins. In particular, Fisk suggests purchasing the Parker farm, building a large barn, and building a large new dormitory building for the boys. Fisk additionally adds that with these improvements further…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that the new school building is too large for any of the boilers at Carlisle. Pratt further requests that he be authorized to purchase a boiler from the Star Steam Heater Co.

Correspondence discussing a request from Richard Henry Pratt for an appropriation of $19,080 to construct buildings, walks, and fences at the Indian School. The buildings to be constructed are a barn on the school farm, a storehouse, and a blacksmith and wagon shop.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs plan to secure $100,000 for the Carlisle Indian School to have 1000 students during the upcoming school year and asks for an additional $10,000 to build a small girls dormitory. In addition, he asks for $5,000 to cover the debt incurred during the building of the gymnasium and large…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards plans and specifications for the proposed storehouse at the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards estimated cost of labor and material required to build a two story office building at the Carlisle Indian School along with the specifications.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to build a new blacksmith and wagon shop at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt submits specifications, estimate of supplies and labor, and blueprints.

Richard Henry Pratt replies to two Office of Indian Affairs letters regarding the construction of the Boiler House and the pay of student Nellie Carey as a matron.

Richard Henry Pratt provides his recommendations for the financial estimate for the 1897 fiscal year.

Richard Henry Pratt submits plans for a laundry building along with the invitation for proposals for supplies and further requests authority to spend the money in order to erect the building.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to purchase various supplies to build new employee quarters along with hiring skilled laborers. Pratt includes plans for the first floor of the building.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to purchase various electric lights for recently constructed buildings as well as asbestos cement for pipes and incidental repairs to buildings.