Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-05-24
Centennial EKhibitiOnat
Philadelphia.
Celebration of the One Hundreth Anniversary
of the Independence Of the United
States Of America.
Dissertation Of the Centennial Buildings,
with Illustrations.
Our International Exhibition.


Wednesday, May 10-the long looked
for day-arrived at last. The day was
ushersd in rather gloomily, steady
rain storm prevailing, with prospect
of it's continuance throughout the en-
tire day. The storm ceased during the
morning, however; the sky cleared, and
the weather proved beautiful-sunny,
but not too warm. The grounds were
in good condition and everything wore
bright, fresh appearance. The origi-
nal programme was successfully carried
out. Wagner's Centennial March,
was received with great applause. At
ter the opening prayer by Bishop
Simpson, of the M. E. Church, and
singing of Whittier's Centennial Hymn,
the presentation of the buildings took
place, by the Board of Finance, with
appropriate speeches and ceremonials,
turning over the buildings to the Com
mission, next followed by the singing
of Sidney Lanier's cantata by the full
chorus, accompanied by the orchestra.
The presentation of the exhibition to
the President of the United States by
President Hawley, of the United States
Commission, followed, President Haw-
ley making an elaborate and heartily
applauded speech. When President
Grant rose to respond, he was greeted
with enthusiastic and long continued
applause, followed by three cheers and
a tiger, led by Gen. HaWley. President
Grant then read his response, which was
brief, but to the point, and the Centen-
NAL Exposition was declared open.
The great interest felt ~ our readers
In the success o. this great national
enterprise has led us to secure the &C
companying illustrations and the latest
information relative to its progress:
Notwithstanding the inertness of
= American exhibitors, the position of
the Exhibition on the tenth of May was
far in advance of that of any former
International Exhibition at the same
time.
The following description will give
complete idea of the extent of the
grounds and the size of the buildings:
Besides the main exhibition building,
art gallery, machinery hall, horticultu-
raj building, agricultural building,
Judges hall, United States government
building, the woman's pavilion, there
are quite number of special buildings
in course of erection and completion, a
brief description Of which may prove
interesting to many Of the readers OF
this journal.
The British government buildings,
three in number, stand a short distance
west of machinery hall, near Georges
hill. They have the appearance of
comfort, auietness, stability and excel
lent taste, that we invariably associate
with the land which even our rebellious
ancestors tenderly called the mother
country. The plot of ground on which
they stand is surmounted by a neat
rustic fence and the enclosure will
bloom, during Centennial days, with
roses, dafodils and daisies. The build
ings are designed in the picturesque
half-timbered style of architecture Of
the sixteenth century. The walls are
of timber-work, with laths and rough
cast plaster between, the base being of
red brick, COPIED with stone. The roof
of the principal building is covered
with plain red tiles with tile ridging,
hips and finals, while that of the ad-
Joining ones is surmounted by stacks
of tall red brick chimneys. The win
dows are glazed with small panes Of
glass set in red, the open easements
being of wrought iron. The interiors
are finished in paneling dados, and the
walls above hung with English paper.
The furniture throughout will be in
keeping with the antique style adopted
liz the construction of the building.
The largest building, which covers an