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The “Battle of Atlanta" painting is unique not only as a large and famous
inting, but also, being a cyclorama, it cannot, like most other things, be seen
from without, but to view it one must. literally get inside the circular canvas
which is approximately 120 feet in diameter and 50 feet high. Tris physical peculiarity:
places a very important limitation on the cyclorama from an exhibition standpoint and
creates a major safety problem. Spectators must either be lowered into the 50-foot high
circular picture area from above or brought to the viewing platform from Deneath through
@ tunnel and up stairways as in the present cyclorame, building. Neither arrangement
makes it possible to effect quick evacuation of the audience from the picture area.
This | brings about a definite satety-to-life problem in case of a fire emergency,
' especially under the panic environment that would exist.
Although the painting is housed in a noncombustible building and by careful
study every step feasible has. been taken to improve the existing structure from a
sefety standpoint, the "fire loading" from the saieeine itself? is ever present and is
considerable. The picture contains. approximately oheshalfsacve or free-nanging linen
canvas impregnated with more than 8,000 pounds of oil paint which would burn intensely
if once ignited. <A carbon dioxide gas fire extinguishing system has been provided to
protect the painting but eaiavesnnow be brought into action until the audience has been
evacuated. Even though the attendance is now limited to 150 people at one time, think
of the celamity that might result should fire trap an audience inside this paint-soaked
canvas enclosure! Indeed, Atlanta should feel fortunate that she has thus far been spared
such a possible catastrophe. if
The Plan ah
The cyclorama painting can be housed and exhibited in a manner that will assure
complete protection from fire to both the painting end the viewing audience and alee
provide control of atmosphere in the area for preservation of the painting, This
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however, will require an entirely new and different concept in building design and
arrangements from that of the present cyclorama building, which is approaching a half-
century in age and is obsolete.':-The provision of a new cyclorama building of proper
though unique design could eliminate the safety-to-life problem now prevailing and
permit full capacity loading of the viewing platform ian attendance is heavy as with
holiday and convention groups. The new building could be more beautiful and much more
appropriate for its occupancy than the present one. It could afford improved lighting,
which is much neéded, and better programing and sound effects. It would, moreover, provide
a special area located away from ground moisture for housing the painting, which area
would normally be sealed off to permit controlled atmosphere as regards temperature and
humidity to prolong life of the canvas. ‘In the event of fire in the picture area, it om
would allow complete and safe evacuation of the entire audience from the area in a matter
of seconds, followed immediately by automatic flooding of the picture with carbon dioxide
gas to extinguish the fire without leaving any residue, and thus assure complete fire
control for the painting, at the same time providing full life safety.
To embody these enhancements, this special structure of new concept would, of
course, be of fire-resistive construction and would be similar in design to a evocties
wedding cake; the first story being about 300 feet in diameter and 20 feet high. This
story would be protected by automatic sprinklers and occupied as a Civil War museum,
relating principally to the Battle of Atlanta, which in time could become the very finest
museum of its kind. The second story would be 125 feet in diameter and about 50 feet
high, or approximately the size of the present cyclorama building. It would house only
the cyclorama painting and its foreground scenery. The arrangement would be undaue in that
the 30-foot diameter viewing platform would be on a hydraulic (aqua) lift. After being
fully briefed on the Atlanta Campaign in a small theater by use of animated film the audience
would be assembled on the platform on the first floor level and then with appropriate music
and sound effects be elevated to viewing position in the picture area in the second story.
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At this point the platform would slowly make one complete revolution and by meann of
nectionalized sound programing, the individual viewor would be dntormed about ‘the
portion of the battle scene appearing before him. The platform would have an integral
ceiling that would move up and down with the platform and which, when in the lowered
position, would form a saoetiaut separation between the first and second stories by
means of a simple water seal.
With the arrangement described, should a fire occur in the picture area, for
example, while the platform is loaded and at the viewing position, either the operator
or the automatic fire detection system would allow the platform to be lowered immediately
by gravity at a controlled speed to the first floor level to discharge the audience
safely, the ceiling simultaneously forming a seal between the two stories. By interlock .
control, as soon as the seal is formed, a@ carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system
would flood the picture’ canvas with fire extinguishing gas without the time delay that
is now required. All emergency safety equipment would be designed on a multiple "positive
operation” basis. The. arrangement would provide full safety to life for occupants of
the building, coupled with prompt and complete fire control for the painting. It would
also safely permit full audience capacity on the platform and allow a controlled atabaphexe
‘normally to be maintained in the picture area for prolonging life of the canvas.
Special Features
If mais a new cyclorama building should be undertaken, it is suggested that
the project also include two special features; first, the old. locomotive "Texas" which
is now in the basement of the present building should be reconditioned for actual
operation so that it could take part with the "General" in any future re-enactments of
the Andrews' Raid*, Normally, however, the "pexas" would be kept on exhibit in the first
story museum, but there would be provided within the museum a length of fenced-off track ~-
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* A re-enactment of "The Great Locomotive Chase" annually, or even quinquennially,
utilizing both the engines, Texas and General, operating under steam over the L. & N.
Railroad along the original route of the chase, could become a tourist attraction of
national prominence.
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on which the old engine could be moved back and forth at regular intervala, operating
on compressed aixy, which would @ive the enrlne all the sound and others effeetn an thoureh
actually moving. under steam.
The other feature would be to include a water fountain oP apmpomsiate size,
water patterns and lighting effects near the entrance to the building. A large
sculptured phoenix would constitute the central figure, with gas burning on the water's
surface at the several cascading levels beneath the figure to symbolize the resurgence
of Atlanta after the battle. The phoenix theme could even include a programmed periodic
envelopment of the phoenix by flames, accompanied by the figure disappearing below the :
surface - to rise again when the flames subside. ' | |
Atlanta could be proud of a new cyclorama building such as described and the
city deserves it. The preservation work on the picture which is reported to be very
necessary could be performed as each picture section is moved from the old to the new
building.
The "Battle of Atlanta" is entitled to a new home, so let the job be done right.
The cyclorama can be made an even greater tourist attraction ana eredit to the city than
it has been in the past and concurrently incorporate full safety-to-life measures. If
located in the new auditorium-hotel complex area, with the larger audiences that could
be handled and with longer hours of operation the revenue derived should certainly
make the project feasible.
Gordon F. Price
October 25, 1965
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