New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-06
THE WORLDS FAIR BUILDINGS
AN INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD NJ. HUNT.
WORK DONE At TIE MEETING OF THE BOARD
ar .pcurrrcrs ~ CHICAGO

WORK DONE At TIE MEETING OF THE BOARD
OF ARCHITECTS IN CHICAGO
Richard NJ. Hunt, the architect has Just returnea
from Chicago whittier he went TO attend meeting Vi
the Board OF Architects Of the Worlds Columbian
Exposition, called by D. III. Burnham, the Chiei OF .oi
struction. The Worlds Fair directors were patrotc
enough to employ other than Chicago architec's 70
build the great halls for the Exposluoh AZ
first they decided to have none OF the work done ny
Chicago members Of the profession out there was
such a clamor against this that they employed nome
talent on some Of the buildings All OF the structures
surrounding the great plaza, however, are In charge
OF architects of New-YOrk, Boston and Kansas CITY,
The meeting of the board was called so that us mem
bers could harmtnze their plans and make their
buildings correspond In style.
Those who attended this meeting were Mr.. Hunt
architect OF the Administrative Building Charles f.
McKim Of McKim. Mead & White, in charge OF the
Agricultural Building; Mr. Peabody, Of Peabody d
Stearns OF Boston, architect OF the great Machinery
Hall and Henry Van Brunt Of Kansas City, VINO drew
the plans for the Electrical Building; George Il.
Post of this city, architect Of the Building OF Liberal
Arts and Manufactures, is also member of the board
and he started 10 attend the meeting, but death In MS
family compelled him TO return to this CITY, This hall
Of Liberal Arts and Manufactures is to be
so large that the big Machinery Hall In the Paris Ex
position could be right through 1t, according TO
report from Chicago Messrs. Umstead ana Codmah'
the noted landscape artists Of Brooklne Mass were
with the architect when they visited the Exposuon
grounds.
Mr. Hunt consented yesterday to tell Tribune
reporter something about his visit to Chicago. lie
said: ave met on last Monday and spent all day
at the Exposition grounds. The progress which mas
been made pleased us all greatly. The foundations
are all laid and several buildings, especially inc
Woman's Mines, Transportation ana Administrative
are well advanced The trusses have been placed
In some OF them. Foundations have been laid ior
most OF the basins ETC.. and good deal OF grazing
has been done. The contracts for the buildings are
nearly all awarded now.
"The visitor to the park who knows nothing ABOUT
the labor involved In putting up big Duiuhge hiS"'
think that not much has been done there yet III Is true
that there is not much TO attract the attehuoh ~
rraeent Int great deal has been done
which is not evident to the eye. inc
task Of drawing the plans has presented great dii
entities IL takes time to calculate the strength vi
the iron and other materials used, the erect Oh 'ho
wind etc. Then. LAYING the foundations meant sre'
deal of work. The Committee on Grounds ana buiio
ings has been especially active, and 1t is ehtteu 10
the greatest credit for its energy. 1t mas let tie
contracts and has things In such shape uha' 'ho
,rorh still 10 be done is comparatively simple.
On Tuesday afternoon and night we discussed the
ouestons OF lighting and decorating the buildings ana
grounds Everything promises to be satisfactory ana
the buildings and park will certainly be h'shD h|
tracve TO the eye. There Is lotS vi roon, 40 'ii0
main park alone contains about 500 acres linen
there will also be water communication between oli
ferent parts of the grounds by means OF canals ana
basins At night these will be filed with boats carry
ING lanterns and other lights, and the sight VIII DC
beautiful.
"The idea of the Board is to have the halls racing
the great plaza in harmony with one another' for
this purpose have drawn plans for structures III
the classic STYLE with dignity BETTING the great
Fair The problem of erecting temporary structures
chiefly Of iron was not entirely solved even al the
last Paris Exposition. We have tried, however, 10
make the buildings rs attractive artiscally as pos
sib;e under the circumstances.
see no reason why all the buildings should not
be in good shape October, when the dedieatory cere
monies are to take place OF course there VIII then
remain details of decoration etc. to be finished Dut
Judging from the present state Of the work there should
be no trouble about taTtness in having the various
halls ready at the proper time" -.
Mr.. Hunt expressed his pleasure at hearing about
the dinner which is 10 be given at DelmOhicOS on
December II further the interests Of the Far III
this city and state. Chauncey NJ: Depew, John Boyd
Che National Commissioners CT this state. VIII be NJ
big task of arranging for the affair. and he Is day III
receipt Of number of letters in praise OF the idea OF
having the dinner.