New-York tribune., 1902-08-24
VIRGINIA TERCENTENNIAL.
PLANS FOR UNIQUE EXPOSITION AT
JAMESTOWN, THE CRADLE OF THIS
COUNTRY, IN 1907.


Newport News. Va Aug. . CspeciaD.-In 1907. on
May 13 Virginia will throw open To the worid the
gates of her jamestown Tercentenniai EXPOSITION
in Hampton Roads This important event will
commemorate the 300th anniversary OF the nrst
English settlement at jamestown. on the James
River, only short distance above Newport views.
Hampton and Old Point Comfort on one side Oh
the Roads and Norfolk, Portsmouth and Sewelfs
Point on the other-the cities which Will form tns
theatre. together with ancient jamestown Island
of what Vrginians declare will be unique IN the
annals of exposftions.
The stereotyped worlds fair features Will Do
utilized TO only small extent in the development
of the jamestown Tercentennial Exposition. the
promoters having conceived the idea or giving
America and the world attraction along new
lines, of national and international Importance.
and as its site the largest finest harbor in the
world has been selected OF course. there Will Do
many immense and costly buildings of beautifui
architecture-they will be necessary In order 10
properly illustrate much of that phenomenal prog
ress made by Americans in three hundred years
but the marine and naval display will De the pre-
dominating idea the drawing card that Will give
to the tercentennial that originality expected 10
record it without a parallel among expositions
Where other enterprises of this character nave
expended hundreds of thousands of dollars on their
leading features. Virginias project VIII require
only thousands. with far better results because
natural Playground has been selected for the pur-
pose and nature will contribute much 10 the sue
cess OF the undertaking. Having it's disposal
advantages and facilities the gifts of the Creator.
Virginia expects to accomplish wonderful results
without the reckless expenditure of large sums OF
money.
1t is estimated that all told, from s10.OooGoo TO
s5,oo.O0o will be invested in the jamestown ex-
position An act of the General Assembly Of Viz
ginia Incorporated the promoters into body poll
tic. comprising hundred of the leading citizens
and hnanciers of the State and fixed Hampton
Roads the site One of the features of the bill
provides that the organizers shall have subscribed
by January 1. 1904. the of 81 100000 With a
local population Of hundred and fifty thousand
in the Hampton Roads cities this amount will not
be difficult to raise within the stipulated period
Virginia will contribute the exposition fund from
time to time. and Virginia cities will likewise do
their part while all of the States of the Union and
the nations OF the world will be well represented in
the outlay that will make up the cost of this his
toric The federal government is expected
appropriate 100000 for the purpose. The govern
ment appropriated 100000 to the Louisiana PUr
chase Exposition, and IL is reasonab BILE expect
that IT will be willing contribute like amount
at least to commemorate event OF much
greater historical Importance. and which. Vir-
ginians declare, will far overshadow the St. Louis
Worlds Fair.
Only one of the great expostions Of the world
has ever gone record a financial success. that
Glasgow. which was carried out on the identical
lines adopted by the jamestown tercentenniaI pro-
jectors. and which paid back its subscribers. in
addition the invested. about sS65.O0O. The
truly national affair than any ever held in
the United States with the single exception Of the
Philadelphia Centennial. which com-henorated the
signing of the Declaration of Independence. vir-
ginia's tercentennia1 will celebrate the real begin
ming of the republic-at jamestown. the cradle OF
the republic. where the seeds of the great Amer
lean institutions they exist to-day pIante~
Although the gates Of the tercentennial will no.
for nearly five years the citizens Tidewater
Virginia. who were authorized by the legislature
carry on the work. have effected complete organ
ization. and are now busy laying out their plans
and laying the foundation f~r the monster struct-
ure which. it is proposed, shall be a permanent
monument to the enterprise and brains OF vir-~
ginians. The idea of holding exposition for this
purpose first suggested the latter part of last
year The progressive citizens of Newport News.
Norfolk and vicinity took to it and laid
their plans to charter from the legislature
No time was lost after securing the charter from
the legislature in efectiRs partial organization.
all OF the officers but president and director gen.
eral being elected Z the These places
Wednesday the first executive meeting of the body
held. plans for the preliminary financing and
for advertising the project being decided upon
There are many reasons why tins great Virginia
exposition should be the promoters hope
achieve, but perhaps the most notable is it's
proximity to the great population centres of the
The bulk of the population OF the South.
East North and West be reached more di-
rectly from Hampton Roads than from any other
point the Atlantic Coast owing to fortunate
steamer ard railroad connections. One nights
ride will suffice bring visitors from almost all
the great cities The cost of transportation is very
small from direction. and after all. this is the
greatest factor