The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-30
READY FOR THE FESTIVITIES
The Eventful Week of Music and Pleas
ure Which Opens To-Morrow.
A Description of the New City Hall and It's
Elaborate Interior Decorations-Th Prep
arations for the Great Concerts-Notes.

No enterprise ever undertaken in indianapolis
certainly none within the past twenty years-has
brought out the enthusiasm that attends the oncom
ing musical festival and campfire None has
listed SO large so earnest and untiring corps of will
ing and jealous workers. The undertaking. great
It seemed in its inception and entered upon not with
out many risgiving, Is already spanned with the
bright-hued iris Of assured success
THE NEW CITY HALL.
The Tomlinson City Hall, to be opened and dedi-
stated by the Indiana Musical Festival is admirably
adapted to the purpose of this great entertainment
There are seats upon the stage for 1872 people, while
The auditorium and galleries furnish seating room for
$500 more Notwithstanding that the great chorus
snd many other performers give their services graz
tuitously the expense viii be SIS. 600, and this
would be increased to nearly $4,000 were it not
that the Grand Army of the Republics members
and their wives and friends working and giving
without compensation labor, time and material The
decorations win be deliberately beautiful. The old
regimental battle flags 20 the number of more than
hundred viii be displayed mingled with red, white
and blue bunting, while there will be wall ornaments
of knapsacks cartridgeboxes, BELTS crossed sabres
and other insignia and enginery of war. The stage
viii be appropriately draped and garlanded. In the
back at the center will be the State hag thanked
by large Union flags, the center of one of which
viii appear fulllength portrait of the honored
guest for the occasion, General William Tecumseh
Sherman and on the other that of the lamented
hero, that brave and loyal Virginian, Gen. George f.
Thomas. There will be wreaths. and flowers, and
foliage plants in great quantity and variety. Large
garrison flags viii be forwarded by General Saxton
from the government depot at Jeersonville and the
United States arsenal at this city viii furnish all the
Gags it has. The numbers of the regiments will be
placed in figures large and conspicuous the battle
Fven banners that Indianas brave volunteers carried
through wars red blast to victorious peace.
One of the most admirable features of this grand
hall is its ventilation. This is so perfect that the
great audiences that it is designed to accommodate
viii not suffer from lack of pure air. in the sui
trest day in August 1t is pronounced by experts to
be the best ventilated hall that it is possible for hui
skill and ingenuity to contrive- Acousticaly. it
Is equally perfect and skilled musicians say there is
no music hall anywhere that will meet all requirements
30 happily as does this The galleries will seat
night hundred persons with standing room for
four hundred more. These galleries are roomy
and COOL and high above the main floor as to neither
obstruct ventilation or sight. pleasing feature of
the building and that adds greatly to the comfort
and beauty of the auditorium is the Corridors which
20 around three sides of the hail. These also serve
ready of exit. The seatings opera chairs
and are exceedingly comfortable. From the floor of
the hall to the ceiling is fortysix feet. This ceiling is
of wood, artisticaly paneled and beautiful.
A gigantic Grand Army badge viii swing above the
stage The eagle will have sixfoot spread of WINGS
and between the crossed is flag three feet
wide, to which is pendant fivefoot star.
The stairwavs leading from the entrance past the
box Office to the vestbule above spacious and easy
of ascent. The vestbule above, like that at the
trance, is handsomely tiled This upper vestibue is
broad and airy, being thirty feet wide. Four large
entrances open from this into the hall Between the
Two at the center, is marble tablet which reads
follows