New York at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis 1904: Report of the New York State Commission — John Shaqi
New York at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis 1904: Report of the New York State CommissionEllis, DeLancey M.
History
New York at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis 1904: Report of the New York State Commission
Ellis, DeLancey M.
Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.) -- New York (State)
The entire work of designing the building, sculpture, decorations and
furniture was intrusted to Mr. Clarence Luce, of 246 Fourth avenue, New
York city. Thoroughly familiar with the traditions of the great Empire
State, Mr. Luce made the work committed to him a matter of State as well
as professional pride, and the result of his long experience, coupled
with his artistic temperament and sound judgment, was a building to
which each New Yorker pointed with the utmost pride and which each
stranger praised unstintingly. The prompt completion of the work so
thoroughly and satisfactorily done was a source of gratification to the
Commission, who at the first meeting held in the building passed
commendatory resolutions concerning Mr. Luce.
There were State buildings which represented an outlay of considerably
more money, but none which typified the commonwealth for which it stood
more thoroughly than did the New York State building.
THE RESTAURANT
A pleasant feature was a private restaurant, conducted by Messrs. Bayno
& Pindat, of New York city, the former being the inventor of an electric
range which was used in the preparation of food. The kitchen and
commissary department was in the basement at the north end of the
building. The privileges of the restaurant were by card only, and were
extended to New Yorkers, Exposition officials and prominent Exposition
visitors. The cuisine was most excellent, and throughout the season
appetizing meals were served on the spacious verandas at the north end
of the building, over which canopies had been erected, the illumination
being furnished in the evening by electric lights, contained in Japanese
lanterns. No restaurant upon the grounds enjoyed a greater popularity
among those who were privileged to use it than did that of the New York
State building.
THE ORGAN
To the Aeolian Company, of New York city, the Commission is indebted for
one of the features of the building. This company placed a magnificent
pipe organ in the east balcony of the rotunda, and in the gallery north
of the grand hall, nearly 100 feet away, was installed an echo organ,
while a set of cathedral chimes sounded softly from still another
distant part of the building. All three instruments were under control
of the organist at the console located upon the main floor of the
entrance hall, and could be played either by hand or by music rolls
manufactured by the Aeolian Company. The organ was equipped with an
electric keyboard which permitted the playing of all three instruments
or any single one, as the operator desired. The main instrument was
contained in an artistic case, which, with its decorative ornament, was
built by Charles and Jacob Blum, of New York city, and was an important
enrichment of the hall.
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