Chapter 36

The tobacco exhibit was displayed in a case of like construction and proportions to that occupied by the corn, and located at the opposite end and in front of the "Southern Maryland Barn." It made an attractive showing of the planters' tobacco from both southern Maryland and Frederick County. A special tobacco exhibit was also made in the middle aisle on a space 20 feet square. In the center stood a giant Indian on a pedestal over 7 feet high, with a long-stemmed pipe in his mouth and a horn of plenty on his left arm, from which the manufactured products of the weed fell to the ground. The whole was apparently built of tobacco.

The canned-goods industry was in evidence in this section to the right and left of the "Springhouse." Placed against the wall, which was covered with black cloth, were three pyramids of cans of peas, corn, and tomatoes.

MASSACHUSETTS.

That Massachusetts might be creditably represented at the St. Louis Exposition the Commonwealth appropriated $100,000.

Governor Bates appointed as the board of managers having the appropriation in charge Dr. George Harris, of Amherst; Mrs. Sears and Mrs. May Alden Ward, of Boston; Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, of Brookline, and Hon. Wilson W. Fairbank, of Warren. Doctor Harris was elected president of the board; Mrs. Sears, vice-president, and Mrs. Ward, recording secretary. To Mr. Harris was assigned the department of education; to Mrs. Sears, art; to Mrs. Ward, history, and to Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Fairbank, finance. Mrs. Sears, Mrs. Ward, and Mr. Fairbank were chosen to serve as the building committee. The board appointed James M. Perkins, of Boston, secretary and George E. Gay, of Malden, educational director.

The State Building at St. Louis was designed by C. Howard Wattset., of Boston, and the cost, including the furnishings and the grading of the grounds, was about $32,000. The building was of colonial style, embodying as many features as possible of the Bulfinch front of the Massachusetts statehouse. The reception hall on the first floor resembled in part the old senate chamber in the statehouse, and the room above, the historical hall, was like the present senate chamber. Most of the furniture in the building was secured from the statehouse by Senator Fairbank, to whom a large part of Massachusetts's success at the fair was due.

In the historical room of the building was a very fine collection of historical relics. Mrs. Ward, who was assisted by Miss Helen A. Whittier, of Lowell, had charge of this exhibit. There were no other exhibits in the State Building, but Massachusetts was well represented in the different exhibit palaces, and in the Educational Building had an exhibit that cost $30,000.

MICHIGAN.

The governor of the State of Michigan appointed the following named persons as commissioners to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition:

Governor Aaron T. Bliss, ex officio member; Frederick B. Smith, president; Austin Farrell, vice-president; Roy S. Barnhart, treasurer; Hal H. Smith, secretary; William A. Hurst, assistant secretary; D. Aaron R. Ingram, Charles P. Downey.

The act which authorized the governor to appoint the commission authorized also the expenditure of $50,000 for the purpose of Michigan's representation at the exposition.

The Michigan State Building was situated at the corner of Federal avenue and Government terrace. The building occupied 80 by 130 feet, and was of colonial renaissance architecture. It rose to the height of two stories and was surrounded by wide porches and terraces. Immediately in front and center four fluted stately columns supported the porch around the entire building. French windows were used on both floors, and their effect was emphasized and enhanced by the use of arches on the lower porch. The whole was painted white and colonial cream.

The interior of the building was divided into a large reception hall, which was flanked on either side by double parlors. The decorations were of green and yellow in quiet tints. From the center of the main assembly hall an imposing staircase was raised to a landing and then to the second floor. The second floor was arranged in a large assembly room, which was decorated with scenes in green and filled with light wicker furniture. At the one side was a writing room, finished in weathered or mission furniture, and decorated with scenes of the resort sections of Michigan; on the other side were the private apartments of the commissioners.

The hangings of the rooms were in quiet tones, harmonizing with the wall tints. The floors were of hard maple throughout, and were covered with attractive and beautiful rugs. The building was erected at a cost of $14,000. The furniture and fittings cost approximately $5,000.

The agricultural exhibit comprised an extensive collection of samples of different varieties of pease and beans; a large exhibit of seeds; an exhibit of grains in stalk, tastefully arranged; an exhibit of grains and corn; also a cabinet of pickled goods; a large exhibit of salt; condensed-milk products; a complete exhibit in season of vegetables from different counties of Michigan. The sugar-beet industry was represented by samples of beets and of sugar in its various processes. The maple-sirup industry of Michigan and the pepper industry were likewise represented by cabinets containing samples of the products. This exhibit was installed, complete, on a space 40 by 40 feet.

The horticultural exhibit comprised a space covering 2,500 square feet of tables. For its first installation there were used 100 bushels of apples grown in 1903, which had been kept in cold storage for this, purpose. It comprised a collection of over 100 varieties of Michigan fruit. With the coming of 1904 fruit, a complete exhibit of fresh apples was installed from time to time, comprising over 150 varieties of apples, requiring as many as 1,500 plates at one time, with many varieties of grapes, peaches, plums, pears, quinces, and cherries. A. large exhibit was also made of small fruit, raspberries, strawberries, currants, and huckleberries. The exhibits were made by individuals, by counties, and by local fair associations of the State.

The forestry exhibit was collected through the generosity and contributions of a committee. It was a complete exhibit of Michigan lumber, showing the rough log and the finished board, both in lumber and in transverse sections. There were also displayed samples of the different products which are manufactured from the log, such as shoe-last blocks, wooden utensils, paper, paper pulp, etc., and there was also an extensive collection of photographs of forestry scenes and lumber camps, together with a complete collection of blueprints for the construction of lumber mills. It was installed in a space 50 by 20 feet, and was surrounded by natural cedar railings.

The mines and metallurgy exhibit comprised exhibits of the iron, copper, and salt products, cement, manufactures of lime and sand, brick, and an extensive collection of specimens of various minerals found in Michigan. The copper mines were represented by samples of rock, minerals, and tailings, models of shaft houses, and manufactured copper. The iron industry was represented by upward of 100 samples of ore of various ranges. These were classified and shown in the various ranges and stages of their production from the rock to the finished product. The cement industry was well represented. Coal of the Saginaw Valley was installed in a 6-foot wall in the booth. An extensive and very valuable collection of over 1,500 specimens were shown in cases. Three large geographical maps showed the location of the different ranges, and photographs of mining scenes supplemented the exhibit.

In the educational exhibit the University of Michigan was represented by a main exhibit in the Education Building and by a small exhibit of the physical-culture work of women in the Physical Science Building. In the Educational Building a space 22 1/4 by 30 feet was assigned to the university, having frontage on two aisles. On this space a booth was erected, built of cypress and stained to resemble weathered oak. Within the booth the floor was stained a dark color, and upon it were spread carefully selected oriental rugs of strong coloring. The furniture was of the "arts and crafts" style. It may be said that the chief motive of the committee having charge of the exhibit was to provide a rest room or social headquarters for the alumni and students of the university and their friends.

There were placed upon exhibition several hundred volumes containing the chief publications of members of the various faculties, also reprints of scientific articles, these and a series of books showing the work of the university bindery.

The engineering department was represented by numerous rolls of large-scale blueprints, by an album of photographs specially prepared, and by a large and attractive sample board of student shop-work. To illustrate the equipment in marine engineering there were presented two models of vessels and a model of the large marine tank which is now in process of completion.

In the Educational Building could also be found cabinets showing the method of collecting vital statistics of the department of the State of Michigan and cabinets exhibiting the work of the School for the Feeble-Minded, of Kalamazoo, and a cabinet of the School for the Deaf and Dumb, of Flint.

A Michigan furniture company, interested in the exposition through the efforts of the commission, expended over $25,000 in the installation of a magnificent exhibit of furniture in the Department of Varied Industries, making the most complete collection of furniture shown by any American firm.

MINNESOTA.

The matter of the participation of Minnesota at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was brought to the attention of the State legislature at a special session in 1902, and it responded with an appropriation of $50,000. This bill was chapter 87, and was approved March 11, 1902. In January, 1903, Governor Samuel R. Van Sant appointed as the board of three managers authorized by the law Mr. Conde Hamlin, of St. Paul, Mr. Theo. L. Hays, of Minneapolis, and Mr. J.M. Underwood, of Lake City.

At the time of the appropriation it was expected that the exposition would be held in 1903. It, however, grew in magnitude and scope far beyond the original designs of its projectors. The board organized by the election of Mr. Hamlin as president, Mr. Underwood as vice-president, and Mr. Hays as secretary. Charles S. Mitchell, of Alexandria, was elected superintendent and executive officer, to have immediate charge of exhibits and to carry out the plans of the board.

A site for Minnesota's building was selected, and space was reserved in the great exhibit palaces of Mines and Metallurgy, Education, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry, Game, and Fish.

Subsequently, on April 1, 1903, a further appropriation of $100,000 was voted by the Minnesota legislature.

The style of the Minnesota State Building resembled the Byzantine. It was designed for a southern climate. The entire lower floor could be thrown open by means of large glass doors opening upon corridors and a wide promenade, which was protected by awnings. A low wall surmounted this promenade, broken at intervals by abutments, on which were placed large vases of flowering plants. This added color, and with the beds of cannas, which extended along the base of this wall, and large beds of brilliant scarlet geraniums on the lawn, made a handsome setting for the building. These plants were Minnesota grown. The cannas grew to huge proportions, and at the height of the season there were few landscapes on the Plateau of States more effective than that of Minnesota.

The building was ample for its uses. There was a reception room 30 by 50 feet in size, with reading tables, the files of the State papers, a post-office, check room, and superintendent's office. A men's room and a women's room, each 20 by 20 feet, opened from the reception room. Two pianos were free for the use of guests, and were a much-appreciated feature. Every possible convenience was afforded to visitors. That the general public, as well as visitors from Minnesota, appreciated the building was shown by the hundreds who visited it daily and the many who came day after day to write letters, read the papers, or merely to rest and enjoy its coolness. The location gave it added prominence, as it was near the southeast entrance, one of the most convenient for visitors, close to the Inside Inn, and with the Massachusetts, New York, Iowa, and Kansas buildings as neighbors.

The financial statement shows that the construction of the building, with furnishing, landscaping, maintenance, care, and salaries of employees, cost a total of less than $29,000.

In the agricultural display, while wheat was not neglected, especial stress was laid on Minnesota's grasses, both tame and wild, and its general forage crops. It was conceded by experts that no State made a better display in that line of products. Corn was also made prominent. Two elaborate butter models were shown, one in this department and one in the exposition refrigerator.

The State was fortunate in the location secured. It was on one of the large central aisles and adjoining the great glass butter refrigerator, where were shown all the competing fancy butter exhibits from the various States. On the same aisle or near by were the most splendid exhibits in this building, those of States that expended from $30,000 to $100,000 in that department alone, the latter figure being the expenditure of Missouri. That Minnesota was able with $10,000 to make a showing that found credit and favor in comparison with these other much more elaborate and costly displays was surely commendable.

The central feature of the booth was a splendid piece of statuary in butter. On a platform was placed an eight-faced glass refrigerator; it was 8 by 10 feet on the floor and 15 feet high. The statue in butter filled this. The square pedestal had at the four corners figures representing Agriculture, Education, Mining, and Dairying. On the front face was the seal of Minnesota, and on the two side faces medallions of Alexander Ramsey and Samuel R. Van Sant. The crowning figure was that of a mother giving to her little boy, who stood at her side, a piece of bread and butter. Nearly a ton of the best creamery butter made in Minnesota was used in this model.

The butter refrigerator in the Agricultural Building was of triple-plate glass, and was 90 feet long. Minnesota's space was 8 by 16 feet. The subject chosen for its model was historical--a representation of Father Hennepin discovering St. Anthonys Falls. The father, in his priestly garb, was shown in the act of stepping from an Indian canoe to the shore. An Indian was holding the canoe to the bank by grasping a small bush, while the boat was steadied by a French voyageur with his paddle. The three types--the aborigine, the priest, and the French voyageur--were accurately reproduced in costume, expression, and features, and were practically life-size. The swift-flowing river, with a suggestion of the falls, completed the picture, in which nearly 1,500 pounds of butter were used.

In a space just east of the butter refrigerator was the exposition refrigerator for displays of cheese. In this the board took a space 8 by 8 feet.

The horticulture exhibit was placed in the hands of experts from the State Horticultural Society. Here were shown large and small fruits, preserved in many handsome jars. Apples which had been preserved in cold storage from the crop of 1903 kept that feature of the exhibit replenished, while the smaller fruits were shown as they matured, being shipped from the growers in the State almost daily.

In September, when the new apples became available, a second and larger space was secured. Here was made a display which was one of the greatest attractions in the building. It represented a Dutch windmill and tower, done entirely in apples.

During the final months of the exposition, when the live stock displays were made, the board arranged with the State live stock association for an exhibit of cattle, horses, and swine. The board appropriated $4,000 to this department and paid it into the hands of representatives of the association to be distributed to the exhibitors from the State in proportion to the prizes awarded to them by the exposition. This plan was very successful and resulted in a creditable exhibit of the State's prize live stock. At this time also a very successful display of poultry was made, and a great many prizes were won.

In the Department of Education it was determined that Minnesota, should retain its rank among the States and, if possible, should win new glory. It was therefore made a leading department. The exhibit was especially strong in rural school and primary and elementary education, and much more attention than ever before was given to the secondary schools of the State at large. The State department of education was consulted, and the State Teachers' Association, the request of the board, named a committee to advise with the board.

This was the first exposition to devote a separate building and one of the main group of exhibit palaces to education. The plan greatly dignified the department. Minnesota was most fortunate in the location assigned its display, as this exhibit had the first space at the principal entrance and was the first seen on entering the building from the main exposition thoroughfare. The space was 30 by 60 feet. The booth, the cabinet, the furnishings, and the frames were of Mission brown oak. The walls were covered by a deep-blue burlap. The mountings of the wall and cabinet exhibits toned with these colors, as did the hangings. The design, as a whole, was exceedingly simple, but in the style, in harmony of tone, and general artistic merit it was given first rank among all the exhibits in the building. Its prominent position demanded this excellence, for it commanded the most critical dicta of the visitors.

In the arrangement of material, repetition and duplication were avoided. All the written work and much of the drawing, designing, and drafting was mounted in cabinets or bound in books. The arrangement showed the State system as a unit, and every article in the booth was the work of the schools, including the furniture, pottery, bric-a-brac, and hangings. It was especially strong in manual training. In dividing the space the manual-training exhibits were united as far as possible. The first alcove of cabinet exhibits was devoted to the rural schools, the second to the semigraded schools. The third and fourth sets of cabinets contained the work of the secondary high schools and the grades in their respective towns. The fifth set was given to the normal schools, while the last two alcoves were devoted to the schools of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the wall space being also apportioned to them. One cabinet was filled with photographs of the university, the curricula, statistics, etc. On the rear wall was a frieze of excellent photographs of the university buildings, and around the outside of the entire booth was a painted frieze, 5 feet deep, giving a panoramic view of the campus and buildings, both of the academic and of the agricultural department.

A cabinet was also devoted to statistics, which included the State system of aid to rural, semigraded, graded, and high schools. This cabinet also gave figures showing the State permanent school funds, the special tax, and school apportionment based on attendance; school attendance, value of school property, system of examination of teachers, and State examination for pupils, etc. There were also very complete sets of State examination papers.

In the State Building the large reception room and the women's and men's rooms were furnished by the pupils of the manual training classes of the Minneapolis high schools, and of the Mechanic Arts High School of St. Paul.

While the exhibits of mining and building materials were kept separate financially, they were practically combined in one exhibit in the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy. No scientific display was attempted, and the plan of installation was severely simple.

Minnesota has but one mineral in such abundance as to be a great financial asset, but in that one--iron--it produces over half the output of the Lake Superior region, which alone of the United States iron fields produces any considerable quantity of ore of a quality required for manufacturing Bessemer steel. The analysis of the ores and names of the mines were given on the samples, which were shown in nearly 100 large glass jars. A chart of the Mesaba range; a large map of the State, showing the location of the mineral lands; two groups of photographic views of working mines and mining methods, in frames 3 by 10 feet in size, with statistical charts. These constituted the wall display. On the floor was a model, 11 feet square, of the Fayal, the greatest producing mine in the world. This showed all the mining processes and every detail of shaft house, ore dumps, cars, tracks, steam shovels, telegraph lines, etc., in and about the mines.

The stone exhibit was also a practical one. It showed the more marketable varieties as they appear in actual use. There were five large wall pieces of granite, one of Winona stone, one of pipestone, and one of Frontenac stone. Inclosing two sides of the floor space, which was 36 by 54 feet, was a low wall of stone, with two entrances. The shorter wall was of polished granite from the St. Cloud quarries, showing all the more distinct varieties--gray, mottled, black, red, and brown. The wall on the longer side, beginning with a corner post and extending to the entrances, was of polished red granite, with a panel of Minnesota marble. On either side of the side entrance, were high posts of Kettle River sandstone, handsomely carved, and the rest of the wall was of this stone combined in part with the Twin City brick.