The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1897-08-14
TENN. EXPOSITION.
MAGNIFICENT EXHIBIT MADE BY
THE AFRO-AMERICAN
An Excellent Article Concerning the
Speciments of Art and Industry in the
Afro-American Building at Nashville
From st Paul Globe

From st Paul Globe
One Of the most interesting displays
that now is open in the United States
is the Tennessee Centennial exposition,
now being held at Nashville. Tenn,
and no building with it's magnificent
exhibits furnishes more real genuine
interest to the visitors from all over
the land than the Negro building,
which in itself is most beautiful
structure, but the interior unveils q
most wonderful record Of race Of a
people who were for centuries despised
and neglected, who have just emerged
from the yoke Of bondage, and are
now prepared to show to the world
what they have done and how they
nave done it. On the 5th day Of June
the streets Of Nashville were throng-
ed with 10000 sons and daughters Of
Ham, who marched in great triumph
TO the Centennial grounds. The sight
was glorious one, and one that ap-
pealed In great measure to every
spectator on the scene. The rostrum of
the grand auditorium on that day was
sraced with several of the leaders Of
the race, who, with mingled feelings Of
pride and joy, explained in a touching
style the meaning Of that grand occa-
sion, the practical illustration of which
is now arrayed and exhibited in the
Negro building.
One of the first objects that greets
the eye Of the visitor as they enter this
building is John Tevy, a native of Da-
honey, Africa. He speaks seven diff
ferent languages and deals in various
articles of curiosity, made or cultivated
in his own native land. He talks en-
tertainingly Of the contrast between
the American negro and the Dahomean.
There is also a splendid exhibit of the
negro schools throughout the land, one
of them IS Central Tennessee college,
which is composed of exhibits from it's
literary, medical and dental depart
ments, and among these is to be found
some more African relics that were
collected by Miss George Patton, who
graduated from Meharry medical de-
partment and spent two years in Az
RIGA, as a self-supporting missionary
practicing medicine among the ma
tives; among some of the curios is some
unique handiWOrk made by the African
women. Roger Williams university
and other Baptist institutions from
other parts Of the. South disclose in
an interesting manner the intellectual
and religious power by which they have
come into such prominence. There are
also quite a number Of other schools
representing the various denomna-
tions, namely: Taladega college, Clark
and Claflin universities.
The Fireside school, under the inf1u-
ence of Miss Johanna Moore, better
known as SISTER Moore" with it's ex-
hibits Of Christian literature, etc.,
yields a great power for good in the
Negro building. It's motto is to "Puri-
fly the Home"
New York Exhibit-A beautiful booth
trimmed with blue and which has an
excellent effect on the exhibits that are
placed therein is the New York booth.
The chief exhibit of this booth is 500
songs, composed by negro authors.
They compose four volumes, beautiful
1y bound, and are credit to the race.
The Chattanooga school exhibit is
very excellent and in her collection is
a historic anvil which made the fet-
ters that bound the Andrew raiders,
who stole the locomotive, General, dur
ing the late civil war, for which act
eight of them were executed. There
are also relics from Lookout mountain
and old Chickamauga battle field.
One Of the most unique exhibits in
the building is bone and wood carving
of a high order by G. r. Devane, which
consists Of carved canes, horns. etc.
The Fisk university exhibit covering
space of over 1000 square feet, and
extending from the southern entrance
of the negro building to about half
antirn 1anrth fnnr
presents an exhibit which is both in
teresting and highly intellectual. We
first behold the handiWOrk of the pu-
pills Of the grammar department., such
as sewing, darning, drawing, relief map
work, etc, much of which is highly
commendable. Passing on to the next
alcove, we see an exhibit made by the
mathematical department of the uni
versity, and full line Of very useful
and accurate instruments, such as the
odOlite, wye, level, chain and com.
pass. and various other Instruments for
ascertaining measurements, and beau
tiful plots representing the efforts
made by the students Of the freshman
class in practical field work. Those
who delight in music will always find
refreshing retreat in this spot For
who has not heard of the jubilee sing
ers Of Fisk university and it's great IA
cilites for music? The history of this
back thirty years. Jubilee hall, one
of the most beautiful edifices in the
South, stands as a monument repre-
senting the toll and labor of the IA
nous jubilee singers, perfect in de-
tail, harmonious in every angle, and
has most fittingly been called Frozen
Music" The high quality Of the work
of this institution deserves special men,
ton.
The Lincoln institute exhibit the
arrangement Of which is plain, is neat.
Among the interesting exhibits can be
found an electrical dynamo, hatchets,
desks made by the students, sewing
and very creditable fancy work. The
picture Of the teachers and students
attract much attention. Prof. I. F..
Page, who is president of the school,
is doing much good for the negro in
the West.
Memphis booth is one of the prettiest
booths on the second floor in the negro
building, and bears the distinction of
being the first one ready in the build
ing. Among the many things that de-
serve special mention is a very fine
oil painting of cotton balls by r. NJ
c. Braxton, also a cloth house tha-
was made entirely of needle work by
Mrs. r. M. Hall, also some modelling
work by Mrs. Peggy Taylor. The
school work is very neatly gotten up
and shows a high grade Of work done
in the city schools.
The exhibit Of shoe making is a nov
city to strangers who visit Mr.. George
ment in the negro building, and who
Twill mend your shoes while you wait"
and never fails to have a crowd around
his BOOTH
The exhibits that have been received
from Louisville, Bowling Green and