The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-17
v. VA. BUILDING
At PA|lANAE
fine STRUCTURE R ].
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Honelike Mansion Serves
AS Meeting Place For
Visitors.
Neutrality-suspicious.
PICTURE OF GOVERNOR HAT.
FIELD staANes OVER FIRE.
PLACE IN MAIN ROOM.
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Observation-Disclosures

The West Virginia building at the
Panama. Pacific international EXPOSE
ton IS i15 feet long and two stories
IN height, the outside made Of Trayer.
tine In conformation with the exposi.
ton plan. except the ends which are
made o. glass in bay window effect.
The style is Colonial architecture, the
front having columned yeranda
similar TO that of Arlington, the home
OF the ices and to Mount Vernon,
the abode OF Washington on the Pc.
tomac.
Like these historic structures the
modern mansion faces a broad cx.
panse OF water, equally famous, the
Bay OF San Francisco, and being one
OF the payiiions tarthest west OH the
exposition grounds, 1t stands literally
beside the Golden Gate.
The principal room is reception
hall, broad and long, the main feature
being an immense fireplace, ana over
the mantel, OF which hangs the picture
OF the governor, OF West Virginia,
Henry ID. Hatfield. In this fireplace
logs are always burning, throwing an
atmosph of cheerfuiness and well
come around the visitor as he enters
the room, which was designed TO give
the air Of hospitality for which tie
Wrginias are famous aill II cer;aln!y
fulflls its purpose.
On either end are two other large
rooms separted from 1t only by co.
nmns ana portiers, making the com-
bined length OF. the apartments over
100 feet, the entire east end beng
one Of the bay windows above IT,.
scribed. The ceiling OF the main llall
Is snryed, following the outlines OF
the roof to which It reaches. ints
hall Is used for receptions and dances.
Here after the dedication ceremunis
held on March 4, the gracious and
dignified official hostess, Mrs. Charles
s.. Williamson, OF Martinsburg, Mrs.
Edward Kenna, social secretary, of
Charleston, the attractive daughter.
in:law Of former United States SEN
ator kenna from West Virginia and
Mrs. ID. Brandley Plymlre. OF San
( Francisco. wife OF the president OF
the West Virginia California society.
the members OF the fair commission
from West Virginia, and tho president
OF the local society received and
served refreshments TO over 300
guests. and yet the room was not full.
Here. too,s was held the dinner and
dance given by the West Virginia.
Galifornians to The commissioners in
the evening of the dedication day.
The latter being but a forerunner OF
many proposed happy reunions to bs
held in the building during the ca.
position year.
Besides the above described rooms,
there are a ladies' room, an office
and o continents smoking room OH
the first floor. On either side of the
fireplace in The entrance room are
colonial stairways leading TO large
balconies Overlooking the dancing
door aud off of each balcony are four
bed rooms aud two baths where tne
governor Of the state, the commits.
sioners and other officials live during
their visit to the exposition.
sOnStheI broad yeranda, directly over.
looking the bay, G. o. Maggie, one Of
the fair commissioner delivered the
opening address, reading q telegram
from Governor Hatfield, who was I'm.
able to represent on account OF all
extra session Of the West Virginia
legislature which convened at Char
lesion only O. few days ago.
The principal address OF the day
was delivered by Fred Paul Grosscup,
chairman of the commission, which
was well received and was often In
terrupted with enthusiastic applause.
The building was thronged after
the dedication by vast numbers Of
invited guests, and they found it COM
piete and ample In every detail. Tho
furnishings and decorations, red car
nations and smilax supplementing the
flags in the main hall and pink roses
and smilax in the ladies' reception
room, expressed the comfort and hos.
pitality for which the Virginias are
noted.
Refreshments were served, part
Of which consisted Of the famous West
Virginia artilliary punch, to the
hundreds present, testifying to tho
hospitables characteristics OF the state
famed in history and story.
Everyone present on this occasion,
is looking eagerly forward to the 10th
OF August, West Virginia's day, for a
repetition of the cheer and good.
fellowship which is sure to reign
when q Virginian holds open house.
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