Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition CommissionLouisiana Purchase Exposition Commission
History
Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission
Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission
Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)
In May, 1901, the legislature of the State of Arkansas enacted a bill
appropriating the sum of $30,000 for the erection and maintenance of a
State building at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and for the
installation and maintenance of the exhibits of the State. Subsequently,
in 1903, the State legislature appropriated a further sum of $50,000 for
the purpose of the State exhibit. There were no private subscriptions,
the entire cost of the State building and maintenance thereof being
borne by the State appropriation.
The cost of the installation and transportation of the different
exhibits made by the commission was $18,102, besides the cost of
returning the exhibits.
The Arkansas Pavilion at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was a fine
specimen of Georgian architecture, of the type so much used throughout
the South in antebellum times. The adaptation of the colonial features
to the purpose for which the building was used was most admirable. The
location, with its foreground of grass and forest trees, produced an
effect suggesting age and permanency that few buildings on the ground
possessed. In fact, on coming upon the building unexpectedly, one would
presume that it had occupied its site for two generations at least. The
building was arranged for the entertainment of the Arkansans visiting
the fair, and served the purpose of a clubhouse and general headquarters
for thousands of people.
The principal feature of the plan of the building was the large
reception hall in the center, connecting through wide openings two
reception rooms, one on either side, and an exhibit room in the rear. On
this floor there were also four smaller rooms used as commissioners'
headquarters, manager's office, post-office, and lady manager's
headquarters; also wide hallways at right angles to the principal axis
of the building.
The second story of the building contained the library, auditorium,
headquarters of the State Bankers' Association, and ladies' parlor, four
sleeping rooms, together with the general toilet rooms.
The three exterior porticos were connected with wide terraces, affording
over 3,000 square feet of floor space. The building was constructed
entirely of Arkansas timber, and was designed by Frank W. Gibb, A.I.A.
A., architect, Little Rock, Ark., and constructed at a cost of
$19,944.05.
At the conclusion of the fair the building was sold to a citizen of
Arkansas, where it is to be reerected as a residence.
In the building were exhibited many handsome pieces of art and
fancywork, burnt-wood plaques and panels, china work, a large silk map
of the United States, showing States, rivers, railroads, principal
towns, etc.; oil paintings, pictures, and portraits, and miscellaneous
exhibits.
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