The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-03-27
THE WoMAN's BUILDING.

Il was wise choice that made the old
colonial home the Woman's Building.
for it was a vantage ground to start
upon. The ladies of Charleston have car
ried out the history Of the estate. and
he building is fitted up in characteristic
colonial style. In its chambers are the
Iarest OF furniture and silver, yielded up
to aid the Exposition by the older citi-
Gems of Charleston, who prize them as
invaluable heirlooms. On the walls are
old family portraits of priceless value,
the production of early American artists,
the names of Gilbert, Stuart, Morse, jar
Wis. SulIy, Copley, Fraser, Allston, West
and others equally we'll known in their
age.
The building is of two stories and
glass encloses the wide piazza of the
first floor, where a cup of "Pinehurst
Tea" grown at Summerville, twenty-five
miles from Charleston, can be enjoyed.
The tea farm there is the only one on
This hemisphere, and the tea is equal in
flavor to the best imported The product is
the result OF many years of experiment in
tea culture, which now is beyond the
experimental stage. This has proved
hat tea can be grown proitably in Am
erica, and a company has been formed,
a thousand of which will soon be under
cultivation.
Within the building, adorned with
tiful one. Here in hallway with its
curved stairs and in paneled rooms with
antique furniture the paintings and ar
ticIes of vertu are to be seen. In the
library are books whose inspiration was
woman's brain. and among these are
some from the private library of Presi
dent Roosevelt.
4 restaurant of special interest is
within the building aid is dubbed "The
Carolina Rice Kitchen" where the I'M
initiated are given an opportunity to
learn how to rightly serve the delicious
cereal so largely raised in South Caro-
lima which boasts of many great rice
fields.
Another feature, and one a boon to
tired mothers, is the Day Nursery"
where children are cared for during the
day. and in room close by is shown
how hospital nursing is done by trained
nurses.
Then there is the silk culture exhibit.
In the early history of Charleston there
was fine export trade in silk, and eX-
hibits Of this early industry are shown
the committee the silk worms were
raised on mulberry trees in Charleston
reels were constructed and beautiful
white silk made especially for the EX~
position.
This domain of fair woman, partial
and incomplete list of whose attraction
has been given, is presided over by one
of Charleston's most charming women
Mrs. Sarah Calhoun Simonds, President
of the Board of Woman Managers. She
is Il member of the family of the illus
triOus John C.. Calhoun and has moro
than State reputation as one of the
most popular women in South Carolina
She has great executive ability, her per-
sonal charm and high social position ad-
ding to her other qualifications for the
successful conduct of the exacting duties
of her position. In this work she has the
aid of representative women from all
sections of the State, whose earnestness,
ability and energy are aiding in the great
success of the Woman's Department. The
other members of the Board of Women
Managers are Mrs. William H. Rrawley,
first vice president; Mrs. Rawlns
I.owndcs, second vice president: Mrs
William Aston Pringle, secretary; Mrs.
Il. +. Aston assistant secretary, and
Miss Henrietta Murdoch, treasurer.
In addition to these there is long
list of prominent ladies of the State
who have charge of various matters per
tanning to the department and lady COM
missioners from other States, Mrs.
Charles Price representing North Caro-
lima in the list.
One delights to lnger over the charms
Of the Woman's Building, for it is place
OF great fascination, and once within it's
hospitable walls it is hard to bid it even
an 'au rcvoir."
Passing on across the Common. where
views of the beautiful Ashley and of the
always charming live oaks are to be had
the visitor soon steps into the wide
porch of the