The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-25
Design For the Building Which Is
to Contain the State
Exhibit.
A Section Of Mountain to Be
Shown With tho Mines
and Mining.
Design Of = Representative Structure for
the Empire commonwealth Of the
Great Northwest.

Palmer, have been received in Helena. III
the design Ia carried out. either in Its
present shape or with such notifications AZ
may suggest themselves from time TO time
A. the work progresses, IL will make a truly
fine building, such AZ will attract attention
among the multitude of things which will
be shown at Chicago during the exposition.
Ths design WaH prepared at the DIRECTION OF
United States Commissioner Mitchell and
Commissioner Bickford, chief of the ex-
ecutive commission of this state, and was
approved by Director General Davis and
Chief of Construction Burnham.
The latter paid the designer
the compliment of saying that the building
was the only one whose plans he had e1-
amined. that seemed TO conform to the
ideas as laid down by the commission. The
chief of construction desired the classical
idea carried out in all the buildings. The
Montana building will be frame, covered
with approved composition. painted to
represent either marble or stucco, as may
be desired. It is to be classical in design
and construction, following closely the
Grecian style of architecture. The plan
calls for a ''1'' shaped structure, the cross
representing the main building and the an
mex the perpendicular part OF the letter.
The main building is designed to be thirty
| feet high, ~seventy-three feet wide md l23
fset long, and the annex twenty feet high
seventy feet one way and seventv-two feet
the other. The entrance will be prefaced by
a handsome porch, the roof of which will
be supported by four Ionic or Doric columns.
These columns, it is hoped. will be OF
granite and sandstone contributed by Mon
lama quarries, The annex will have a veranda
sixteen feet wide running the entire length.
The frieze over the main entrance will con-
tain appropriate designs, and will be orna.
mented at the corners with such local
characterlstics as may be agreed upon
This frieze will be carried around the entire
structure, main building and annex, and
the whole surmounted by balustrades, witt
faestafs at each corner. AS the main hal
will be devoted to Montana exhibits, it il
intended TO have the doriG windoT'
ing filled with such colored class
az will produce the best results. At one
end of the hall will be a promenade gallery
to allow visitors to see the exhibit from
above. The annex is to contain the otfict
of the superintendent in charge. double re-
and ffty-six feet long, COMMITTEES and tot
let rooms. The hall through, into the mali
building will be twenty feet wide. It ha
been suggested that the interior be finished
in Montana pine and fir, contributed b,
the manufacturers of this state, whicl
would make the building one of local char.
acteristics as far AS possible.
To the left of the building the plan con
templates having q fac simile of a section
of mountain 15O feet high. If thi
part of the plan is carried out, this noun
tain will contain a regularly equipped min
on a small scale, with h~oisting shaft, one
or two levels showing the location an
and deposit of ore and the method Q
stopping. Dump cars and implements 0
mining will all be in their proper position
Cages in full operation will carry visitors t
the levels, where electric lighting vii
enable them to see the workings of a mine
From the foot of the shaft a tunnel is in
tended to run into a small building wher
can be exhibited the usual appointments Q
an assay office, sampling room, etc. BAG
of this artif cial hill placer mining will b
shown, with the hydraulic giant and til
sluice boxes at work. This embry
mountain, built of framework strong
ly. Joined together, will b
covered with composition, gras
and trees to give it a natural appearance
With abundance of water a fac sinile {
one of the geysers in the National par
could be shown. The mountain Is the onl
part of the design which is likely to me-
with objection on the part of the director,
on the ground that it does not conform to til
idea of the classic style determined on fe
the general plans. The objection, howeve
will be easily overcome if the state con
mission decide to have it.