Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-08-16
THE JAMEsTOWN EXPOSITION,

THE Jamestown EXPOSITION.
jamestown Exposition, Va, Aug 10
Located in the northeast section of The
Exposition grounds, just across Com
monweslth avenue, east, from the
Palace of Machinery and Transportation
is building which attracts the attention
of the visitors to the Colonial City by
its odd design. In appearance it re-
sembles the Spsniah type of architec-
ture. 1t is constructed of gravel and
cement, the main building being square
with an oblong wing and of one story
height.
In this attractive building there are
housed the exhibits of Mexico, Puerto
Rico and the countries of Central and
South America. These exhibits have
been installed under the direction of
] the Bureau OF American republics.
In the main building the exhibit from
Puerto Rico is seen. This display shows
| the progress made in education since the
American occupancy of the island, also
the strides made in agriculture for the
same period.
Ia the school exhibit, there is seen the
work of scholars under American methods
of instruction, and the exhibit reflects
great credit on those in charge of the
educational interests there.
The different types of school buildings,
showing the old Spanish and native peon
school and the new or modern school,
erected and maintained by Americans, is
seen near the entrance to this building
and is most interesting. The old rural
school is shown as it was centuries sgo,
when maintained under the Spanish
regime. These buildings are constructed
Of the Puma Ross, a hard wood Of shrub
species, and thached roof of sugar cane
leaves. The modern or American type is
built OF the finished wood grown in that
fertile country, principally male cedar,
while the roofs are covered with CORFU
gated iron, imported from the United
States. The new buildings are rapidly
replacing the old.
Among the different products of the
soil are seen tobacco, coffee, hard " Ids
and cotton, In the manufacturN IDS
jellies, chocolate, runs, wines, sugar and
palm-straw hats are shown.
In the center OF the room is repro
duction of the peon or peasant hut.
This hut is of the usual type seen in
tropical countries, constructed Of the
Puma Rosa, a growth of Royal palm,
bound together with Msnagua, strong
fiber, with thached roof of sugar cane
leaves, while the floor is of palm slabs.
10 the hut there may be seen many of
the native cooking utensils, crockery
made of the clay of the country, some Of
beautiful design. All the pottery is
sun-bsked and is very durable. Native
wooden musical instruments, sandals,
fish net made from the palm wood and
called nazo, the sugar knife and the var
weapon, the mschete.
In the wing of this building, the dis
plays of Mexico and some of the Amer
ican republics are installed. On
pedestal in the center of this wing in a
model of the Mexican Goddess of Lib
erty, showing the Mexican national
colors.
The International Bureau Of the
America Republics has installed in one
end of The wing of this building a huge
relief map of the continent of South
American and that part of North Amer
lea, known as Mexico and Central Amer
ica.
This map shows the plan for extensive
railroad systems connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts of these countries.