The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-09-16
The "Old Mechanics Fair"

The opening of the Mechanics fair
in the new building of the Massaclu-
sets Charitable Mechanic Association
on Huntington avenue, Boston, next
Tuesday, September 10, is an interes-
ting event to every New Highlander.
The structure may be described MS
three great buildings forming one
group, but separated by brick walls and
tire-proof doors. The whole has
frontage of sos feet on Huntington
Avenue, and of about 317 on West
Newton and Gloucester streets. These
two sides are those of right-anglcd
triangle, the hypothenusc being the
northerly side, bordering upon the
Boston 81 Albany railroad yards, a fif-
teen foot passage way being reserved
for light and air. The building is of
red brick, laid in dark mortar, with
slated roofs and lanterns, and dormers
of iron. The walls are built vaulted.
and very thick, nowhere less than two
feet, and from that thickness to four
and five feet. The building has two
vast halls, an amply lighted basement
under the entire stru ;ture and numer-
ons smaller apartments, making floor
surface i'll all of over six and twO-fifths
acres. One of the leading features of
the building is the great hall, fitted to
accommodate an audience of from 900
to 10000 and this vast auditorium will
be q perfect museum of the mannfac-
lures of the day in all the finer lines of
goods during the exhibition. The me-
chanical exhibits include fully as large
a number of novelties as usual, and the
practical working of new contriyances
and devices will be more generally
illustrated than in former years. The
ample space afforded in the new build.
ing, and the substantial character of the
structure, have had q notable influence
upon The class of exhibits offered, and
the display of fine goods is more like
that at the Centennial than at the last
fair of the Association. 1t is gratifying
to know that the art department has
been so wisely delegated that the art
galleries rival those of the European
cities, and present feature which can
but elevate and instruct the vast
crowds of visitors to the exhibition.
The special committee intrusled with
selecting pictures for exhibition from
artists in the American colony of Paris
have forwarded n half hundred speci-
mems, which include many notable
works. The artists of New York city
have contributed as many more, Phila-
delphia has sent score or more of
representative paintings, Baltimore has
contributed generously, and, while the
artists of New England will add about
one hundred specimens, the local STU
dios will supply between two and three
times that number. Mai. Ben: Pcrley
Poore promises a surprise TO all visi-
tors interested in the military history
of America, as he has arranged an ex-
hibiiion of the weapons, implements,
clothing and uniforms used and worn
by the warriors of this country from
the stone age to the present time.
While so much has been done to make
the exhibition an attractive resort for
all New England, an equal degree of
thoughtfulness has been shown by the
Association in planning for.the comfort
and convenience of visitors outside the
city limits. All who desire to attend
the exhibition will find ample layato-
ries, where the dust of travel can be
removed, as well as bundle rooms,
where all parcels, overcoats, wraps and
other annoying hindrances to indoor
comfort can be deposited and cared
for. A spacious restaurant is also To-
Gated in the building, and here the best
food will be promptly served at the
most reasonable rates. Direct commu.
nication can be had with every railroad
station in Boston, the lines of horse
cars landing passengers at the main
entrance on Huntington avenue.