The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-14
THE CENTENNIAL.
The Interest Throughout the Old World
in the International Exhibition.
ALL CHRISTEND0M TO TAKE PART.
Necessity of Combined Action on the
Part of the American People.
ALL CHRISTENDOM TO TAKE PART.
THE GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS.
Details OF Space Occupied by the
Various NatiOnalities.


Our national Centennial year Is approaching SO rapidly
most thing Of tomorrow busy people like ours is
peculiarly apt forget this and therefore be
occasionally earnestly reminded of the nearness at
hand Of great event in the industrial history Of the
world Of such Importance that nation cannot
afford TO ignore the necessity OF making the most
full and thorough preparations TO meet it, AnSinder-
standing Of the purposes ofthe Centennial Exhibition
doubt all have but the necessity cannot be too often
urged that American producers and manufacturers in
every branch should Immediately that the great
natural and industrial wealth of nation has a
worthy represent at this the significant Of
all worlds fairs. More especially is it necessary
that the people Of the United States should realize
the necessity for action from the fact that within 70
cent time the Exhibition has assumed far more i'm
portant position in its relations with foreign govern
1t in the fullest an Internal ionaI
Exhibition Every nation in the world but three now
formally announced its participation and in ALL with
out exception great interest is manifested in the
ment and great endeavors made to excel and each
other in the variety and quality OF the articles displayed
Our young Republic is looked upon in the Old World
with an interest that scarcely understand. The
stories of marvellous wealth have reached them,
and they Fastening put them to the proof Some
OF them have actually taken precedence of in asking
for space in the Exhibition buildings and their exhibit
ors began TO prepare for it before Many
Of their governments demanding increased space.
II bestir ourselves and make display worthy Of the
occasion, there be no doubt that only will
neighbor be astonshed national resources but
ourselves will be and learn that we
have been ignorant of our possibilities,
CONDITION PROSPECTS,
brief statement of the present condition and the
future prospects Of the Centennial movement cannot
but be Of value and interest and the following facts it
is hoped will serve give outline of its present
status
THR BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
The Exhibition grounds $50 in extent and
situated the southwestern border of the schuylki
River in Paramount Park. The grounds larger and
adapted for the purpose than those of any former
exhibition according to the opinion of Baron Schwarz
senborn Director of the Vienna Exhibition. By every
historical association and natural advantage the grounds
OF Paramount Park II apart and preserved
fifty give place for the great celebration honor Of the
Republic They have been the resort Of the promi
nent Of the Revolution; they the Of
of the most skful Of Laayettes actions in the Revo
luton and had their share the battle OF Germantown
The mansions in which Baron Steuben the organizer of
the Revolutionary army and Judge Peters its Secretary
OF War, lived still in perfect preservation At
Landsdowne which is included within the borders ofthe
Centennial grounds stood the residence of John Penn
the Colonial Governef of Pennsylvania and almost
every spot has some historic interest
The grounds on which the Centennial buildings are
situated elevation above the OF about
feet and the highest building, the Art Gallery, is
prominent object from a considerable distance The
grounds have been graded TO level and the spaces
tween the principal buildings will be almost entirely oc-
cuped with smaller and auxiliary structures that the
appearance Of the whole will be that Of one immense
ctr nj ubprO f win andn
tons with attractive strips OF lawn and flower beds be-
tween. The area which will probably DO covered by
buildings amounts to seventyfve acres space aboue
and onethird times larger than that occupied by the
Vienna exposition Of 1873 Including all the covered
courtsl
The main Exhibhion Building and the Art Gallery oc-
cupy the southeastern portion Of tho grounds; the
Machinery Hall and the Offices Of the Centennial Board
of Finance are situated in the southwestern portion;
Horticultural Hall stands on Landsdowne plateau, in
the portion, and the Agricultural Building will
be at the foot OF Belmont HILL or in the northeastern
corner Of the grounds. The following is
AMOUNT
covered by each of the great Exhibitions Of the
world
vienna 1879, all courts covered together with ma
chinery fine and agricultural departments SIS $40
acres; Vienna 1873 courts covered 3S $40 acres;
Paris 1867 81 acres London, 1862 % $40 acres; Lon
don 1851 % 910 acres Paris 1855 % lilo acres; Lon
dom 1851, without galleries, IS clio acres; New York
with galleries. $40 acres Ia space not quito equal to
onehaf that occupied by the Agricultural Building Of
the Centennial Exhibition aonel and Munich with gal
leries 4 410acres The area covered by each Of the
five principal buildings of the Centennial Exhibition is
follows Main Building q AZ 100 acres; Gallery
u acres Machinery Hail. IA acres Horticultural Hail.
y acres; Agricultural Building 10 Is 100 acres.
These buildings are in a most advanced state. No
written statements convey just idea OF the grounds
in their present condition Nothing but visit in per-
can give one conception Of the truly marvellous
progress that is being made in the erection Of these
structures Nor can figures give 70 the average mind
an idea OF their mammoth proportions To say that
EXHIBITION BUILDING
Is In the form Of a paraeogram, extending east and
west $50 feet in length and north and south 464 feet
N wild III *
Perhaps New Yorker can better realize the proportions
Of thus pile when he knows that its front longer than
New York city blocks, further than between
Twenty third street and Thrtieh street OF this build
ing fully two-thrds finished, under the energetic
tractor Il is TO cost 100000 His agree
ment does not call for tho completion
Of his work before January next but
there DO doubt II will be finished Va month
30 the present rate The style and material Of this
building have often been described in the HERALD
that it need not be repeated 1t being almost entirely
finished fast the structure Ia erected the glass
and sashes being set the tin roofing put on the flooring
laid and all the painting inside and out being done as
present finished portions Of the main building would
much ground az IL between Twenty third and
AMOUNT
used In this building which have just obtained from
Mr. Dobbns 10 curious:-
Lumber square feet about 100000
Iron total weghtl lbs about............. 5000 900
TN roohng lOOOOOO
Weight of iron in roof truses and Orders lbs 600 600
The larger portion Of the structure Is story in
height and shows the main cornce upon the outside at
As feet above the ground the interior height being 10
feet AT the centre Of the longer sides projections
4l6 feet in length and In the centre Of the shorter sides
ends Of the building projections 2l6 feet length
In these projections in the centre Of the four Sides
located tho main entrances which provided with
arcades upon the ground floor and central acades
tending 70 the height Of 90 feet Upon the corners Of
the building there four towers rs feet height and
between the towers and the central projections or en-
frances there lower roof introduced showing a cor
nice at "a feet above the ground In order 10 obtain a
central feature for the building whole the roof over
the central part for lS4 feet square, has been raised
above the surrounding portion aud four towers as feet
square, rising 10 40 feot in height have been INTRO
duced at the corners Of the elevated roof The following
THB AREAS COVERED:
Squire Feet Acres
Ground oor....................... S72,32O 20O2
Upper noors IN projections. 1884 90 IS
Upper floors IN towers.............- N,34 OO60
/
Totals. ..-........................ 036,OO8 2147
! MACHINERY