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[[History 204 Sp 08]] | [[Dickinson College hist204 sp08 | Political Life]] | [[Cultural Life hist204 sp08 | Cultural Life]] | [[Economic Life hist204 sp08 | Economic Life]] | [[Essays of 1876]] | |||
== Centennial Exhibition in 1876 == | == Centennial Exhibition in 1876 == | ||
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There is absolutely no question that the railroads experienced a dramatic increase in profit as a result of the Centennial Exhibition. Not only were the visitors transported on these trains, but also a variety of goods were transported to the Philadelphia area as well. Food and other supplies were continually shipped on the previously established trade lines into the Philadelphia area. Trade rates in 1876 were significantly lower than previous years. Cotton, woolen and linen fabrics were cheaper in 1876 than under the tariff of 1851<sup>2</sup>. The lines that profited the most from the Centennial were those that lead directly to Philadelphia <sup>3</sup>. It was assumed that the wave of travel would increase until July 4th, which would be the climax of the event. After the fourth, there would be a decrease in travel until the celebration concluded in November<sup>4</sup>. For all the companies associated with transportation, the year of 1876 look exceptionally promising. | There is absolutely no question that the railroads experienced a dramatic increase in profit as a result of the Centennial Exhibition. Not only were the visitors transported on these trains, but also a variety of goods were transported to the Philadelphia area as well. Food and other supplies were continually shipped on the previously established trade lines into the Philadelphia area. Trade rates in 1876 were significantly lower than previous years. Cotton, woolen and linen fabrics were cheaper in 1876 than under the tariff of 1851<sup>2</sup>. The lines that profited the most from the Centennial were those that lead directly to Philadelphia <sup>3</sup>. It was assumed that the wave of travel would increase until July 4th, which would be the climax of the event. After the fourth, there would be a decrease in travel until the celebration concluded in November<sup>4</sup>. For all the companies associated with transportation, the year of 1876 look exceptionally promising. | ||
Prior to the opening of the Centennial Exhibition, the issue of transportation was a problem. Many railroad companies were forced to expand the number of railcars in order to transport visitors to the exhibition grounds. Of these many rail companies, the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad companies were overwhelmingly significant<sup>5</sup>. These two companies were the leading transporters for people traveling from eastern and central Pennsylvania, which would include | Prior to the opening of the Centennial Exhibition, the issue of transportation was a problem. Many railroad companies were forced to expand the number of railcars in order to transport visitors to the exhibition grounds. Of these many rail companies, the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad companies were overwhelmingly significant<sup>5</sup>. These two companies were the leading transporters for people traveling from eastern and central Pennsylvania, which would include foreign nationals arriving from sea. If necessary, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company could transport up to 145,000 passengers per day to Fairmount Park. To match the influx of passengers, twenty one railcars were borrowed and 110 cars were built. In total, 324 cars were used by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. This company was the largest in the world, covering 6615 miles of terrain<sup>6</sup>. The train fare was reasonably priced as well. The Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad Companies charged twenty-five cents per person for a two-way fee. This affordable fare applied only to passengers traveling around the Philadelphia area. There were also upscale accommodations for affluent passengers seeking more comfort. Often, depending on the railcar, sleeping cabins were available if booked in advance. These special cabins were sponsored by Pullman Hotels and came with a complementary dinner served while the train was in motion<sup>7</sup>. These two railroad companies clearly played a substantial role in the delivery of visitors to Philadelphia. | ||
Similarly, | Similarly, foreign nationals arrived in the United States by ships. The biggest ship companies were the American Steamship, the International Steamship and the Pacific Steamship companies. For United Kingdom residents, the American Steamship company provided a weekly sailing schedule from Liverpool to Philadelphia. The International Steamship company sailed monthly from Antwerp to New York City and Philadelphia <sup>8</sup>. The Pacific Steamship company was much more diverse, sailing from China, Japan, Peru and Chile. These ships docked in San Francisco and Philadelphia. These voyages were grueling for both the passengers and the workers. As a result, several rules were enforced aboard the ship to keep the disruption to a minimum. The saloons were closed at eleven o’clock every night. Smoking was only permitted in smoking rooms and on the top deck<sup>9</sup> . Travelers by sea were advised to bring chairs on the voyage as the trek across the Atlantic Ocean was very strenuous. To prevent sea sickness, oranges and biscuits were given out to passengers daily. Upon arrival in the United States, passengers were expected to have the baggage ready for inspection. For passengers unable to speak English, transfer agents were available at American ports<sup>10</sup>. They aided in the delivery of passengers to hotels and boarding houses. These American ports were essential to transporting foreign passengers to the Exposition grounds with ease. The ships and trains were the driving force behind the ten million visitors that attended this celebration. | ||
The Pennsylvania Railroad was, after all, convenient for visitors trying to get to the exhibition grounds. There was a railroad depot directly next to the main entrance to the fair grounds<sup>11</sup>. The depot was only about one hundred feet south of the centennial grounds, which meant the visitors could move efficiently from the rail cars to the exhibits<sup>12</sup>. Not only did this provide a satisfactory way of transportation for the passengers, it was also offered a convenient pathway for workers to carry display cases and large artifacts. Building the major event centers close to the railroad tracks contributed to the number of smart transportation techniques at the centennial exhibition. In addition, visitors were able to purchase their departure tickets at the depot when they were leaving the exposition. Then, they proceeded down one of three different passageways that led them to the train they wished to board<sup>13</sup>. This enabled passengers to be ready to board their respective trains without confusion. | The Pennsylvania Railroad was, after all, convenient for visitors trying to get to the exhibition grounds. There was a railroad depot directly next to the main entrance to the fair grounds<sup>11</sup>. The depot was only about one hundred feet south of the centennial grounds, which meant the visitors could move efficiently from the rail cars to the exhibits<sup>12</sup>. Not only did this provide a satisfactory way of transportation for the passengers, it was also offered a convenient pathway for workers to carry display cases and large artifacts. Building the major event centers close to the railroad tracks contributed to the number of smart transportation techniques at the centennial exhibition. In addition, visitors were able to purchase their departure tickets at the depot when they were leaving the exposition. Then, they proceeded down one of three different passageways that led them to the train they wished to board<sup>13</sup>. This enabled passengers to be ready to board their respective trains without confusion. | ||
| Line 22: | Line 25: | ||
Arriving at the Exhibition grounds via train was truly a remarkable sight. Over 450 acres of pastoral land were set aside for the construction of the celebration. The main building alone spanned twenty one acres, which is remarkable in size for the time. The main building held exhibits from thirty one different nations from around the world, and four other major buildings displayed artifacts and machines as well. The cost to build the main building alone was 1.5 million dollars and it covered an area of 936,008 square feet<sup>14</sup>. Once the visitors were inside the display buildings, they were treated to countless rows of international artifacts. The walls were elegantly painted with a light blue and cream color. The objects on display were divided based on the type of object and also by its origin<sup>15</sup>. In essence, European objects and Asian objects were shown in different display cases. The other buildings at the Exposition were: the Art Gallery, Machinery Hall, Agricultural Hall and Horticultural Hall. All of these structures were enormous in size, but the main building definitely trumped them all. | Arriving at the Exhibition grounds via train was truly a remarkable sight. Over 450 acres of pastoral land were set aside for the construction of the celebration. The main building alone spanned twenty one acres, which is remarkable in size for the time. The main building held exhibits from thirty one different nations from around the world, and four other major buildings displayed artifacts and machines as well. The cost to build the main building alone was 1.5 million dollars and it covered an area of 936,008 square feet<sup>14</sup>. Once the visitors were inside the display buildings, they were treated to countless rows of international artifacts. The walls were elegantly painted with a light blue and cream color. The objects on display were divided based on the type of object and also by its origin<sup>15</sup>. In essence, European objects and Asian objects were shown in different display cases. The other buildings at the Exposition were: the Art Gallery, Machinery Hall, Agricultural Hall and Horticultural Hall. All of these structures were enormous in size, but the main building definitely trumped them all. | ||
The Main Exhibition Building was arranged differently than the other buildings because of its massive size. Specifically, display cases included artifacts in the departments of metallurgy, mining and education. In addition, artifacts in each case were organized on their place of origin. Items from the Northern Hemisphere were exhibited first, while items from the southern hemisphere were shown second. Each exhibit was different, as the many nations tried to make their own artifacts look original <sup> | The Main Exhibition Building was arranged differently than the other buildings because of its massive size. Specifically, display cases included artifacts in the departments of metallurgy, mining and education. In addition, artifacts in each case were organized on their place of origin. Items from the Northern Hemisphere were exhibited first, while items from the southern hemisphere were shown second. Each exhibit was different, as the many nations tried to make their own artifacts look original<sup>16</sup>. The center aisle was the only place where exhibits could be seen directly because of the huge partitions that obstructed the viewers. Also in the center aisle, concerts were held twice a day<sup>17</sup>. To reinforce the notion that this event was a “world fair”, some of the artifacts in the Main Building were for sale. For instance, in the Chinese department, there was a hand-carved bedstead priced at $4800<sup>18</sup>. These articles, however, could not be removed from the exhibition building until the celebration was concluded. | ||
The Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry was the most impressive lodging houses at the celebration. This building was 223,200 square feet and looked like a prison camp rather than a boarding house. In 1876, this building was the largest hotel in the world. If necessary, it could accommodate 4,000 visitors at one time. The Patrons of Husbandry allowed members from Agricultural Societies, Farmers’ Clubs, Sovereigns of Industry and Temperance Organizations to stay at the encampment while in Philadelphia<sup> | The Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry was the most impressive lodging houses at the celebration. This building was 223,200 square feet and looked like a prison camp rather than a boarding house. In 1876, this building was the largest hotel in the world. If necessary, it could accommodate 4,000 visitors at one time. The Patrons of Husbandry allowed members from Agricultural Societies, Farmers’ Clubs, Sovereigns of Industry and Temperance Organizations to stay at the encampment while in Philadelphia<sup>19</sup>. Due to the growing temperance movement in Carlisle, the camp was advertised as a comfortable place to live while attending the exhibition. The building was only a ten minute train ride from the exposition grounds, “affording a healthy location, pleasant promenades and picturesque scenery”<sup>20</sup>. Justly, this hotel provided everything imaginable to its guests. They had a laundry service, a police force, competent physicians and lunch accommodations for people traveling to the exposition. The dining hall supplied seating for up to 1,000 guests. The hotel provided three meals per day, however many guest ate at the restaurants at the Exposition grounds. Trains left the exposition grounds every half hour and cost fifteen cents round-trip<sup>21</sup>. This encampment provided a suitable housing location for those involved with the Patrons of Husbandry that was safe, healthy and effortless. | ||
Visitors who did not stay at the Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry had plenty other living situations to choose from around the Philadelphia area. People were allowed to purchase hotel tickets in advance at the railroad stations. All the major hotels in Philadelphia were located near a railroad station which made it easy for the visitors<sup>22</sup>. The two largest hotels, the Grand Exposition and the Globe, provided living arrangements for up to 4,000 guests. Some of these hotels, like the Grand Exposition, required different payment methods. There were two different plans that hotels could choose from: the American plan and the European plan. The American plan was a fixed rate per day which applied to meals, lodging and exhibition attendance. Moreover, there were separate tabs for liquor, wine, nurses and children. The European plan, which was used by the Grand Exposition hotel, was a fixed rate per day for only lodging<sup>23</sup>. | Visitors who did not stay at the Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry had plenty other living situations to choose from around the Philadelphia area. People were allowed to purchase hotel tickets in advance at the railroad stations. All the major hotels in Philadelphia were located near a railroad station which made it easy for the visitors<sup>22</sup>. The two largest hotels, the Grand Exposition and the Globe, provided living arrangements for up to 4,000 guests. Some of these hotels, like the Grand Exposition, required different payment methods. There were two different plans that hotels could choose from: the American plan and the European plan. The American plan was a fixed rate per day which applied to meals, lodging and exhibition attendance. Moreover, there were separate tabs for liquor, wine, nurses and children. The European plan, which was used by the Grand Exposition hotel, was a fixed rate per day for only lodging<sup>23</sup>. Meals and exhibition attendance were charged separately. This plan was better for visitors who chose to eat meals at the exhibition: “there was plenty of food available for the fairgoers, who had their choice of French, Jewish, Turkish, Viennese, and German restaurants, as well as numerous American establishments<sup>24</sup>. As a whole, the housing around Philadelphia was good quality. There were fifty eight hotels with fifty rooms or more. Many of these hotels were built solely for the Centennial Exhibition. The Transcontinental Hotel was another large hotel near the Exhibition. It was five stories in height and was built in a triangular shape with a grassy courtyard in the middle<sup>25</sup>. This building was remarkable in size, but it was memorable because of its shape. If not for newly created hotels, Philadelphia would not have been able to serve all of its visitors. As an aspect that goes unnoticed, housing in Philadelphia gave the exposition visitors a comfortable, care-free living space that was reasonably priced. | ||
One of the most impressive facts of all was that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company reported no accidents during the Exhibitionx<sup>26</sup>. | One of the most impressive facts of all was that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company reported no accidents during the Exhibitionx<sup>26</sup>. Safety was extremely important to the work crews and associates involved with these rail companied. Similar to current safety rules, passengers were expected to keep all limbs and head inside the railcar. Also, passengers were not allowed to stand on the boarding platform while the train was in motion. There were no class divisions on these trains, and passengers were expected to keep their seat while the train was moving<sup>27</sup>. The railroad companies also instituted rules about baggage. Individuals were allowed one hundred pounds of luggage onboard the train. The passenger was charged an extra fifteen cents for overweight luggage<sup>28</sup>. Set guidelines and proper safety rules provided a secure transportation system that was dependable. | ||
The world had never before seen an exhibition like the Centennial Celebration. The celebration illustrated the United States impressive growth as a nation. It was truly an original event in history that will never be duplicated. Clearly, the Exposition would not have been as successful if it was not for the efforts made by the local railroad companies. By increasing their number of railcars and solidifying the train tracks to enhance safety measures, the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad companies were invaluable during the months the Exposition was open. Without rail transit systems, the immense amount of revenue made at the Exposition would have been significantly less because thousands of people, including those from Carlisle, would not have made the trip to Philadelphia. | The world had never before seen an exhibition like the Centennial Celebration. The celebration illustrated the United States impressive growth as a nation. It was truly an original event in history that will never be duplicated. Clearly, the Exposition would not have been as successful if it was not for the efforts made by the local railroad companies. By increasing their number of railcars and solidifying the train tracks to enhance safety measures, the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad companies were invaluable during the months the Exposition was open. Without rail transit systems, the immense amount of revenue made at the Exposition would have been significantly less because thousands of people, including those from Carlisle, would not have made the trip to Philadelphia. | ||
===Endnotes=== | |||
<sup>1</sup>“Centennial Exhibition of 1876”. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.phmc.state.pa.us | |||
Works cited | <sup>2</sup> “The Chicago ‘Tribune’ Advocating Tariff Protection.” Inter Ocean. 13 January 1876. Col. C. 252, pg. 4. | ||
<sup>3</sup>"The Centennial and the Railroad”. The Independent. 6 April 1876. sec. 28, 1427, pg. 24. | |||
<sup>4</sup>“The Centennial and the Railroad. pg. 24. | |||
<sup>5</sup>McCabe, James D. “Illustrated History of the Centennial Exhibition…to which is added a complete description of Philadelphia.” Philadelphia, PA. National Publishing Company 1876. | |||
<sup>6</sup>McCabe, James D. pg. 273 | |||
<sup>7</sup>McCabe, James D. pg. 269 | |||
<sup>8</sup>“Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876.” J.B. Lippincott and Company. Authorized by The Centennial Board of Finance. Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA. | |||
<sup>9</sup>Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg. 28 | |||
<sup>10</sup>Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg. 28 | |||
<sup>11</sup>“Philadelphia, Pa.—The Centennial Exposition—View, Looking North, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot and the Exposition Buildings.” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. 13 May 1876. Col. A. 1076, pg. 160-161. | |||
<sup>12</sup>“The Centennial Exposition the Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot in Philadelphia—The Turkish Coffee House—Exposition Watchmen.” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. 13 May 1876. Col. A. 1076, pg. 163. | |||
<sup>13</sup>“The Centennial Exposition The Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot in Philadelphia—The Turkish Coffee House—Exposition Watchmen.” | |||
<sup>14</sup>McCabe, James D. pg. 263 | |||
<sup>15</sup>Giberti, Bruno. “Designing the Centennial: A History of the 1876 International Exhibition in Philadelphia.” Book Review. June 2004. 62, no. 2, pg. 267 | |||
<sup>16</sup>The Centennial Exposition – The General Arrangement of the Main Building”. Lowell Daily Citizen. 12 June 1876. Col. A. 6252. | |||
<sup>17</sup>“The Centennial Exposition – The General Arrangement of the Main Building”. | |||
<sup>18</sup>“The Centennial Exposition – The General Arrangement of the Main Building”. | |||
<sup>19</sup>“Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry.” The Farmer’s Friend Steam Print. 1876. Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA. | |||
<sup>20</sup>Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry. | |||
<sup>21</sup>Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry. | |||
<sup>22</sup>McCabe, James D. pg. 274 | |||
<sup>23</sup>Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. Pg. 32 | |||
<sup>24</sup>“Centennial Exhibition of 1876”. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.phmc.state.pa.us | |||
<sup>25</sup>Trout, Silas Edgar. “The story of the Centennial of 1876; golden anniversary.” Lancaster, PA. n.p. 1929. | |||
<sup>26</sup>McCabe, James D. pg. 271 | |||
<sup>27</sup>Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg 25. | |||
<sup>28</sup>Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg. 25. | |||
===Works cited=== | |||
“Centennial Exhibition of 1876”. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.phmc.state.pa.us | “Centennial Exhibition of 1876”. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.phmc.state.pa.us | ||
| Line 70: | Line 129: | ||
Wing, Conway P. “History of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania”. Philadelphia J.D. Scott Publishing. 1879. | Wing, Conway P. “History of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania”. Philadelphia J.D. Scott Publishing. 1879. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:22, 12 May 2008
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History 204 Sp 08 | Political Life | Cultural Life | Economic Life | Essays of 1876
Centennial Exhibition in 1876
Photographs of the Centennial Exhibition
Scott Carpenter History 204 Professor Osborne April 2008
The Centennial Exhibition, Transportation and Housing
The Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia was marked by its massive buildings and lavish displays of international and local artifacts. Essentially, the event was a “world fair” that celebrated the one hundredth birthday of the United States. The event grounds were in Fairmount Park, along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Residents from Carlisle had to travel roughly one hundred miles to the Exhibtiion. From May 10th to November 10th, nearly ten million people would attend the fair, which is remarkable considering that the population of the United States at the time was only forty million1. Many of these visitors were either foreign nationals or from other regions on the United States. Thus, this massive population increase in Philadelphia required additional housing and transportation to support the attendees. Historians have overlooked the lodging and transportation aspects of the Centennial Exhibition. However, the Exhibition would not have been as magnificent if it was not for the extensive planning and renovation of the housing and transportation systems.
There is absolutely no question that the railroads experienced a dramatic increase in profit as a result of the Centennial Exhibition. Not only were the visitors transported on these trains, but also a variety of goods were transported to the Philadelphia area as well. Food and other supplies were continually shipped on the previously established trade lines into the Philadelphia area. Trade rates in 1876 were significantly lower than previous years. Cotton, woolen and linen fabrics were cheaper in 1876 than under the tariff of 18512. The lines that profited the most from the Centennial were those that lead directly to Philadelphia 3. It was assumed that the wave of travel would increase until July 4th, which would be the climax of the event. After the fourth, there would be a decrease in travel until the celebration concluded in November4. For all the companies associated with transportation, the year of 1876 look exceptionally promising.
Prior to the opening of the Centennial Exhibition, the issue of transportation was a problem. Many railroad companies were forced to expand the number of railcars in order to transport visitors to the exhibition grounds. Of these many rail companies, the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad companies were overwhelmingly significant5. These two companies were the leading transporters for people traveling from eastern and central Pennsylvania, which would include foreign nationals arriving from sea. If necessary, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company could transport up to 145,000 passengers per day to Fairmount Park. To match the influx of passengers, twenty one railcars were borrowed and 110 cars were built. In total, 324 cars were used by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. This company was the largest in the world, covering 6615 miles of terrain6. The train fare was reasonably priced as well. The Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad Companies charged twenty-five cents per person for a two-way fee. This affordable fare applied only to passengers traveling around the Philadelphia area. There were also upscale accommodations for affluent passengers seeking more comfort. Often, depending on the railcar, sleeping cabins were available if booked in advance. These special cabins were sponsored by Pullman Hotels and came with a complementary dinner served while the train was in motion7. These two railroad companies clearly played a substantial role in the delivery of visitors to Philadelphia.
Similarly, foreign nationals arrived in the United States by ships. The biggest ship companies were the American Steamship, the International Steamship and the Pacific Steamship companies. For United Kingdom residents, the American Steamship company provided a weekly sailing schedule from Liverpool to Philadelphia. The International Steamship company sailed monthly from Antwerp to New York City and Philadelphia 8. The Pacific Steamship company was much more diverse, sailing from China, Japan, Peru and Chile. These ships docked in San Francisco and Philadelphia. These voyages were grueling for both the passengers and the workers. As a result, several rules were enforced aboard the ship to keep the disruption to a minimum. The saloons were closed at eleven o’clock every night. Smoking was only permitted in smoking rooms and on the top deck9 . Travelers by sea were advised to bring chairs on the voyage as the trek across the Atlantic Ocean was very strenuous. To prevent sea sickness, oranges and biscuits were given out to passengers daily. Upon arrival in the United States, passengers were expected to have the baggage ready for inspection. For passengers unable to speak English, transfer agents were available at American ports10. They aided in the delivery of passengers to hotels and boarding houses. These American ports were essential to transporting foreign passengers to the Exposition grounds with ease. The ships and trains were the driving force behind the ten million visitors that attended this celebration.
The Pennsylvania Railroad was, after all, convenient for visitors trying to get to the exhibition grounds. There was a railroad depot directly next to the main entrance to the fair grounds11. The depot was only about one hundred feet south of the centennial grounds, which meant the visitors could move efficiently from the rail cars to the exhibits12. Not only did this provide a satisfactory way of transportation for the passengers, it was also offered a convenient pathway for workers to carry display cases and large artifacts. Building the major event centers close to the railroad tracks contributed to the number of smart transportation techniques at the centennial exhibition. In addition, visitors were able to purchase their departure tickets at the depot when they were leaving the exposition. Then, they proceeded down one of three different passageways that led them to the train they wished to board13. This enabled passengers to be ready to board their respective trains without confusion.
Arriving at the Exhibition grounds via train was truly a remarkable sight. Over 450 acres of pastoral land were set aside for the construction of the celebration. The main building alone spanned twenty one acres, which is remarkable in size for the time. The main building held exhibits from thirty one different nations from around the world, and four other major buildings displayed artifacts and machines as well. The cost to build the main building alone was 1.5 million dollars and it covered an area of 936,008 square feet14. Once the visitors were inside the display buildings, they were treated to countless rows of international artifacts. The walls were elegantly painted with a light blue and cream color. The objects on display were divided based on the type of object and also by its origin15. In essence, European objects and Asian objects were shown in different display cases. The other buildings at the Exposition were: the Art Gallery, Machinery Hall, Agricultural Hall and Horticultural Hall. All of these structures were enormous in size, but the main building definitely trumped them all.
The Main Exhibition Building was arranged differently than the other buildings because of its massive size. Specifically, display cases included artifacts in the departments of metallurgy, mining and education. In addition, artifacts in each case were organized on their place of origin. Items from the Northern Hemisphere were exhibited first, while items from the southern hemisphere were shown second. Each exhibit was different, as the many nations tried to make their own artifacts look original16. The center aisle was the only place where exhibits could be seen directly because of the huge partitions that obstructed the viewers. Also in the center aisle, concerts were held twice a day17. To reinforce the notion that this event was a “world fair”, some of the artifacts in the Main Building were for sale. For instance, in the Chinese department, there was a hand-carved bedstead priced at $480018. These articles, however, could not be removed from the exhibition building until the celebration was concluded.
The Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry was the most impressive lodging houses at the celebration. This building was 223,200 square feet and looked like a prison camp rather than a boarding house. In 1876, this building was the largest hotel in the world. If necessary, it could accommodate 4,000 visitors at one time. The Patrons of Husbandry allowed members from Agricultural Societies, Farmers’ Clubs, Sovereigns of Industry and Temperance Organizations to stay at the encampment while in Philadelphia19. Due to the growing temperance movement in Carlisle, the camp was advertised as a comfortable place to live while attending the exhibition. The building was only a ten minute train ride from the exposition grounds, “affording a healthy location, pleasant promenades and picturesque scenery”20. Justly, this hotel provided everything imaginable to its guests. They had a laundry service, a police force, competent physicians and lunch accommodations for people traveling to the exposition. The dining hall supplied seating for up to 1,000 guests. The hotel provided three meals per day, however many guest ate at the restaurants at the Exposition grounds. Trains left the exposition grounds every half hour and cost fifteen cents round-trip21. This encampment provided a suitable housing location for those involved with the Patrons of Husbandry that was safe, healthy and effortless.
Visitors who did not stay at the Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry had plenty other living situations to choose from around the Philadelphia area. People were allowed to purchase hotel tickets in advance at the railroad stations. All the major hotels in Philadelphia were located near a railroad station which made it easy for the visitors22. The two largest hotels, the Grand Exposition and the Globe, provided living arrangements for up to 4,000 guests. Some of these hotels, like the Grand Exposition, required different payment methods. There were two different plans that hotels could choose from: the American plan and the European plan. The American plan was a fixed rate per day which applied to meals, lodging and exhibition attendance. Moreover, there were separate tabs for liquor, wine, nurses and children. The European plan, which was used by the Grand Exposition hotel, was a fixed rate per day for only lodging23. Meals and exhibition attendance were charged separately. This plan was better for visitors who chose to eat meals at the exhibition: “there was plenty of food available for the fairgoers, who had their choice of French, Jewish, Turkish, Viennese, and German restaurants, as well as numerous American establishments24. As a whole, the housing around Philadelphia was good quality. There were fifty eight hotels with fifty rooms or more. Many of these hotels were built solely for the Centennial Exhibition. The Transcontinental Hotel was another large hotel near the Exhibition. It was five stories in height and was built in a triangular shape with a grassy courtyard in the middle25. This building was remarkable in size, but it was memorable because of its shape. If not for newly created hotels, Philadelphia would not have been able to serve all of its visitors. As an aspect that goes unnoticed, housing in Philadelphia gave the exposition visitors a comfortable, care-free living space that was reasonably priced.
One of the most impressive facts of all was that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company reported no accidents during the Exhibitionx26. Safety was extremely important to the work crews and associates involved with these rail companied. Similar to current safety rules, passengers were expected to keep all limbs and head inside the railcar. Also, passengers were not allowed to stand on the boarding platform while the train was in motion. There were no class divisions on these trains, and passengers were expected to keep their seat while the train was moving27. The railroad companies also instituted rules about baggage. Individuals were allowed one hundred pounds of luggage onboard the train. The passenger was charged an extra fifteen cents for overweight luggage28. Set guidelines and proper safety rules provided a secure transportation system that was dependable.
The world had never before seen an exhibition like the Centennial Celebration. The celebration illustrated the United States impressive growth as a nation. It was truly an original event in history that will never be duplicated. Clearly, the Exposition would not have been as successful if it was not for the efforts made by the local railroad companies. By increasing their number of railcars and solidifying the train tracks to enhance safety measures, the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad companies were invaluable during the months the Exposition was open. Without rail transit systems, the immense amount of revenue made at the Exposition would have been significantly less because thousands of people, including those from Carlisle, would not have made the trip to Philadelphia.
Endnotes
1“Centennial Exhibition of 1876”. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.phmc.state.pa.us
2 “The Chicago ‘Tribune’ Advocating Tariff Protection.” Inter Ocean. 13 January 1876. Col. C. 252, pg. 4.
3"The Centennial and the Railroad”. The Independent. 6 April 1876. sec. 28, 1427, pg. 24.
4“The Centennial and the Railroad. pg. 24.
5McCabe, James D. “Illustrated History of the Centennial Exhibition…to which is added a complete description of Philadelphia.” Philadelphia, PA. National Publishing Company 1876.
6McCabe, James D. pg. 273
7McCabe, James D. pg. 269
8“Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876.” J.B. Lippincott and Company. Authorized by The Centennial Board of Finance. Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA.
9Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg. 28
10Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg. 28
11“Philadelphia, Pa.—The Centennial Exposition—View, Looking North, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot and the Exposition Buildings.” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. 13 May 1876. Col. A. 1076, pg. 160-161.
12“The Centennial Exposition the Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot in Philadelphia—The Turkish Coffee House—Exposition Watchmen.” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. 13 May 1876. Col. A. 1076, pg. 163.
13“The Centennial Exposition The Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot in Philadelphia—The Turkish Coffee House—Exposition Watchmen.”
14McCabe, James D. pg. 263
15Giberti, Bruno. “Designing the Centennial: A History of the 1876 International Exhibition in Philadelphia.” Book Review. June 2004. 62, no. 2, pg. 267
16The Centennial Exposition – The General Arrangement of the Main Building”. Lowell Daily Citizen. 12 June 1876. Col. A. 6252.
17“The Centennial Exposition – The General Arrangement of the Main Building”.
18“The Centennial Exposition – The General Arrangement of the Main Building”.
19“Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry.” The Farmer’s Friend Steam Print. 1876. Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA.
20Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry.
21Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry.
22McCabe, James D. pg. 274
23Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. Pg. 32
24“Centennial Exhibition of 1876”. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.phmc.state.pa.us
25Trout, Silas Edgar. “The story of the Centennial of 1876; golden anniversary.” Lancaster, PA. n.p. 1929.
26McCabe, James D. pg. 271
27Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg 25.
28Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. pg. 25.
Works cited
“Centennial Exhibition of 1876”. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. www.phmc.state.pa.us
“Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry.” The Farmer’s Friend Steam Print. 1876. Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA.
“Centennial Encampment of the Patrons of Husbandry.” Photograph . 1876. Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA.
Centennial Exhibition Memorial Building. Photograph. 1876. Cumberland County Historical Archives and Special Collections, Carlisle, PA.
Giberti, Bruno. “Designing the Centennial: A History of the 1876 International Exhibition in Philadelphia.” Book Review. June 2004. 62, no. 2, pg. 267
“History of Cumberland and Adams Counties…history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter”. Pennsylvania Illustrated 1886. Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
McCabe, James D. “History of the Centennial Exhibition…to which is added a complete description of Philadelphia.” Philadelphia, PA. National Publishing Company 1876.
“New York Freight Tariff”. The Galveston Daily News. 9 January 1876. Col. G. 312.
“Philadelphia, Pa.—The Centennial Exposition—View, Looking North, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot and the Exposition Buildings.” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. 13 May 1876. Col. A. 1076, pg. 160-161.
Public Ledger Almanac 1870-1877. Philadelphia. George W. Childs. 1869-1876. Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections, Carlisle, PA.
"The Centennial and the Railroad”. The Independent. 6 April 1876. sec. 28, 1427, pg. 24.
“The Centennial Exposition – The General Arrangement of the Main Building”. Lowell Daily Citizen. 12 June 1876. Col. A. 6252.
“The Centennial Exposition The Pennsylvania Railroad Centennial Depot in Philadelphia—The Turkish Coffee House—Exposition Watchmen.” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. 13 May 1876. Col. A. 1076, pg. 163.
“The Chicago ‘Tribune’ Advocating Tariff Protection.” Inter Ocean. 13 January 1876. Col. C. 252, pg. 4.
Trout, Silas Edgar. “The story of the Centennial of 1876; golden anniversary.” Lancaster, PA. n.p. 1929.
“Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876″. J.B. Lippincott and Company. Authorized by The Centennial Board of Finance. Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA.
Wing, Conway P. “History of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania”. Philadelphia J.D. Scott Publishing. 1879.
