James J. Gifford

[Hess1865]

[quote=

Mr. Gifford was the architect and builder of the old Ford’s Theatre in Washington, which was the scene of the assassination of President Lincoln. This was the building whose roof collapsed June 9, 1893, and caused the death of many government clerks and employes. When the building came into possession of the government the alterations necessary for converting it into a building for the conduct of public business were supervised by Mr. Gifford, at the request of the contractor for the work. Mr. Gifford was not satisfied with the manner in which the work was done, and protested against it without avail.

He preserved the drawings of nearly all his work, and could explain all the details.
[/quote]

1-I'd like to know what Mr Gifford's protests against the work done were, and who did he complain to?? He obviously knew it was slipshod work.

2-Whatever happened to these drawings??? I'm sure they could clear up some of the questions we have about the dimensions of Ford's Theater