The Portland daily press., 1875-06-14

bibition: First, The Horticultural Building,
vast conservatory of iron and glass, 5o3 1t. IN
length, 1913 fit. in width and seventy-two it. in
height embracing an area of two and one half
acres-or trfe larger than our own Lincoln
Park. The name of this building indicates
sufficiently its use. That 1t will be marvel
GUS maze of floral beauty cannot be doubted.
Second, The Art Gallery. This building is
erected by the state of Pennsylvania at a cost
of more than 81 100000, as permanent Ma
tonal Museum, and is but one of the states
generous gifts for the Centennial" 1t is
splendid granite structure surmounted by
graceful dome of iron and glass and is fire.
proof throughout 1t embraces an area 800 by
21O it. and includes within its walls nearly
three and one half acres of ground. The dome
rises $50 feet from the earth and is surmounted
by colossal figure of Columbia with out
stretched hands. 1t will be seen that this
building covers about one-third greater area
than Lincoln Park.
Third, Agricultural Hall. This building is
of wood and glass. 1t consists of long nave
crossed by three transepts. The courts be-
tween the transepts are also rooted and form
valuable spaces for exhibition. The ground
peAiNhNiSoAtNA- 49,
feet covering trfe over II acres or little
more than four times the area OF Lincoln Park;
In the immediate vicinity of this building will
be the stock yard for the exhibition of horses,
cattle, Sheep swine, poultry etc., etc.
Fourth, Machinery Hall. This structure is
1902 feet in length and $50 feet in width with
wing on one side 20S by 2l0 feet. The entire
area covered is IA acres or five times the area
of Lincoln Park. Its extreme height is Is feet;
it is traversed through its entire length by eight
lines of shafting, with numerous counter shafts
wherever required while mammoth engines
furnish power to exhibit every machine in
operation. This is a frame structure, con-
structed with especial reference to strength and
stability Two main avenues extend the entire
length of the building, with three main aisles
fifty feet in width, one between and one on
either side of the avenues. AT the centre of
the building is transept sixty feet in width
extending across the building, and forming
with its aisles the wing mentioned above.
This wing is devoted to the exhibition OF n.y.
draulic machinery and contains tank 6O by
16) feet with 10 feet depths of water At one
end of the tank will be waterfall of 30 feet
height and 40 feet width, supplied from the
tank by the pumps on exhibition.
Fifth, The Main Exhibition Building This
structure is 1880 feet or more than one third of
mile in length, 464 feet in width and with its
central nave or avenue of 100 feet in width and
two aises each 100 Feet iii width, crossed by
three ground transepts, in construction almost
entirely of iron and glass. The aggregate
weight of iron in the roof is over 5,0O0,OOO
pounds. The interior of the vast edifice is SO
arranged that all exhibitors will have an equal
ly fair opportunity to exhibit their goods to ad-
vantage There is very little choice OF location,
as the light is uniformly distributed and each
Ato1 20 is lnnn QI
upon one IF the main thoroughfares. Small
balconies or galleries of observation have been
provided in the towers from which excellent
views of the whole interior may be obtained
A complete system Of water supply, win am
pie provision of fire cocks ETC., extends
through this all the other bdlldlngs.
Some conception of the immense size OF this
structure will be obtained from the compare
tive statement, that the ground floor covers az
area 972, 800 square feet-a tribe more than ~
acres, or about eight times the area of Lincoln
Park In addition to these, the National Gov
eminent has appropriated the sum of $500 900
for the construction of separate building and
the perfection of a collective exhibition which
shall illustrate it's functions ard administra-
tive faculties in time of peace, and Its re-
sources as a war power. A large number OF
other governments-some twenty in all-WlH
also erect separate buildings for similar pur-
poses.
But your readers will tire of these details,
marvellous as they may seem, while the mass
of facts waiting at my hand renders choice ex-
ceedingly difficult
preparations whose completed form l have
briefly sketched, this may be said: Machinery
Hall is rapidly nearing completion. Inc wa,is
are all up, the roof well advanced, while the
army of carpenters, tin-roofers and laoorers
give assurance of its early completion The
Art Gallery has all its brick and stone work
complete and the iron rafters for the roof and
dome are being put in place The Horticui-
tural Hall is in state of forwardness which
gives evidence that the contract for its compile
ton, Sept. 18th will not need to be extended.
Agricultural Hall is least advanced of any of
the buildings, and least time is required for its
construction. The contracts have just been
awarded for its completion in four months
from date.
The prospects for the completion OF the
main building before winter seem Edisconrag-
ing until it is known that the work is nearly all
done oft the grounds, in rolling mills and ma
chine shops and that to-day almost every part
of the huge structure is complete, only waiting
transportation and putting IN place. Like the
Temple of Solomon the sound of AK or hammer
is not heard in rearing the edfice, as every
piece is fitted to it's designed place IN the build
ing, before being brought upon the ground.
This work of erecting the structure has COM
menced and is rapidly going forward.
reserve for another letter some details OF
the interior management OF the Exhibition as
also some reference to what is being done by
individuals and organizations throughout the
country for the promotion OF the enterprise
MY especial thanks are due to Mr. ID. l.
Schmarzman of the firm of Schmarzman &
Pohl, Architects for the geEtlemanly courtesy
with which he aided me in gathering the archl-
tectural details have given. MIR. 3. IS the
Supervising Architect of the Centennial Com
mission and to his taste and culture the beauty
and elegance of all the appointments are large
ly due. ..
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