"Centennial Exhibition" redirects here. For the 1939-1940 exhibition in Wellington, see New Zealand Centennial Exhibition.
The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, the first official World’s Fair in the United States, was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. It was officially the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine. It was held in Fairmount Park, along the Schuylkill River. The fairgrounds were designed by Hermann Schwarzmann. About 10 million visitors attended, equivalent to about 20% of the population of the United States at the time (though many were repeat visitors).
Structures
There were more than 200 buildings constructed within Exposition’s grounds which was surrounded by a fence nearly three miles long.[6] The Centennial Commission sponsored a design competition for the principal buildings. There were two rounds, winners of the first round had to have details such as construction cost and time prepared for the runoff on September 20, 1873. After the four design winners were chosen, it was determined that none of them allowed for enough time for construction and limited finances.
The Centennial Commission turned to architect Henry Pettit and engineer Joseph M. Wilson for design and construction of the Main Exhibition Building. A temporary structure, the Main Building was the largest building in the world by area, enclosing twenty-one and a half acres.[4] It was constructed using prefabricated parts, with a wood and iron frame resting on 672 stone piers, and took eighteen months to complete. Glass was used between the frames to allow in light. Inside, the central avenue was 120 ft (37 m) wide, 1,832 ft (558 m) long and 75 ft (23 m) high. 75 ft (23 m) tall towers sat at each of the buildings corners. Exhibits from the United States were placed in the center of the building and foreign exhibits were placed around the center based on the nation’s distance from the United States. Exhibits inside the Main Building dealt with mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, education and science.
To the west of the Main Building was Machinery Hall. Machinery Hall was also designed by Pettit and Wilson and was similarly designed except that the building’s frame was just made of wood. The building, which took six months to construct, was the second largest building at the Exposition and was 1,402 ft (427 m) long and 360 ft (110 m) wide. There was a 208 ft (63 m) by 210 ft (64 m) wing attached on the south side of the building. Exhibits displayed at Machinery Hall revolved around machines and industry.
The third largest structure at the Centennial was Agricultural Hall. Designed by James Windrim, Agricultural Hall was 820 ft (250 m) long and 540 ft (160 m) wide. Made of wood and glass, the building was designed to look like various barn structures pieced together. The building’s exhibits included products and machines in agriculture and other related businesses.
Unlike most of the buildings constructed for the Exposition, Horticultural_Hall was meant to be permanent. Horticultural Hall was designed by Hermann J. Schwarzmann. Schwarzmann, an engineer for the Fairmount Park Commission, had never designed a building before. Horticultural Hall had an iron and glass frame on a brick and marble foundation and was 383 ft (117 m) long, 193 ft (59 m) wide and 68 ft (21 m) tall.[10] The building was styled after Moorish architecture and designed as a tribute to The Crystal Palace from London’s Great Exhibition. The building’s exhibits specialized in horticulture and after the Exposition it continued to exhibit plants until it was badly damaged by Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and was demolished.
Also designed by Hermann J. Schwarzmann, Memorial Hall is made of brick, glass, iron and granite. Memorial Hall’s was designed in beaux-arts style and housed the art exhibits. The Centennial received so many art contributions a separate annex was built to house it all. Another building was built for the display of photography.[11] Memorial Hall continued to house the school, and afterwards and was taken over by the Fairmount Park Commission in 1958. The museum school is now the University of the Arts. The building was later used as a police station and has now been renovated to house the Please Touch Museum.
The British buildings were extensive and among other things showed to America the evolved bicycle with Tension Spokes and a large front wheel. Two English manufactures displayed their high wheel bikes (called "Ordinary bikes" or slang "penny farthings") at the Exposition: Bayless Thomas and Rudge. It was these displays which caused Col. A Pope to decide to begin making high wheel bikes in the USA. He started the Columbia Bike Company and within a few years was publishing a journal "LAW Bulletin and Good Roads". This was the beginning of the good roads movement by the bicycling faternity which led to the AAA pushing further in 1903.
Twenty-six U.S. states had their own building of which the Ohio House is the only one that still exists. Not including the United States, eleven nations also had their own building. The United States government had its own cross shaped building that held exhibits from various government departments. The Women’s Pavilion was the first structure at an international exposition devoted to showing off the work of women. The rest of the structures at the Centennial consisted of corporate pavilions, administration buildings, restaurants and other buildings designed for public comfort.
Exhibits
Technologies introduced at the fair include the Corliss Steam Engine. Pennsylvania Railroad displayed the John Bull steam locomotive that was originally built in 1831.[17] Waltham Watch Company displayed the first automatic screw making machinery and won the Gold Medal in the first international watch precision competition. Until the start of 2004, many of the fair’s exhibits were in the Smithsonian Institution’s Arts and Industries Building in Washington, DC, adjacent to the Castle building. During the Exposition the Turkish delegation presented marijuana to the United States for the first time, becoming one of the most visited exhibits of the fair[citation needed].
Consumer products first displayed to the public include:
* Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone
* Remington Typographic Machine (typewriter)
* Heinz Ketchup
* Wallace-Farmer Electric Dynamo, precursor to (electric light)
* Hires Root Beer
* Kudzu erosion control plant species
A reconstruction of a "colonial kitchen" replete with spinning wheel and costumed presenters sparked an era of "Colonial Revival" in American architecture and house furnishings. The Swedish Cottage, representing a rural Swedish schoolhouse of traditional style, was re-erected after the Exposition closed, in Central Park, New York. It is now the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
The New Jersey official State Pavilion was a reconstruction of the Ford Mansion, which served as General George Washington’s Headquarters during the winter of 1779-80 in Morristown, New Jersey. The reconstruction had a working "colonial kitchen" featuring a polemical narrative of "old-fashioned domesticity." This quaint hearth and home view of the colonial past was juxtaposed against the theme of progress, the overarching theme of the exhibition serving to reinforce a view of American progress evolving from a small hearty colonial stock and not from a continual influx of multi-ethnic waves of immigration.
The right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty were showcased at the Exposition. For a fee of 50 cents, visitors could climb the ladder to the balcony, and the money raised this way was used to fund the rest of the statue.
The building where visitors picked up official Exposition catalogues was, after the Exposition, dismantled and moved to Wayne, Pennsylvania and later Strafford, Pennsylvania, where it still stands, serving as that community’s train station.
1876年費(fèi)城世博會
1876年,美國費(fèi)城舉辦世界博覽會,這是美國歷史上的第一次世界博覽會。這一年,適逢美國建國百年紀(jì)念年。它的意義,絕不只在美國首次獲得了世博會的舉辦權(quán);通過博覽會,美國要向世界展示一個新興工業(yè)國家的崛起,證明它已走歐洲工業(yè)強(qiáng)國的陰影。美國要向世界宣布:一個美國時代即將到來。
概況
1876年費(fèi)城世博會的參展國并不是都有獨(dú)立的國家館,35個參展國中只有15個國家建有自己的展館。例如中國是參展國之一,但沒有獨(dú)立的中國館建筑,只是在主辦國的主展廳中擁有“大清國”展區(qū);而日本建有獨(dú)立的日本館,同時還擁有主題館中的日本展區(qū)。這15個國家館的主要功能并不是用來展示展品,當(dāng)時的國家館根本就不在游客的參觀計劃中,因?yàn)閰⒄箛拇硇哉蛊范荚诟髦黝}館集中展示。那么,1876年世博會的參展國國家館到底用來做什么呢?文獻(xiàn)記載表明,15個國家館主要充當(dāng)了本國參展人員的駐地,有些國家館負(fù)責(zé)接洽遠(yuǎn)道而來的本國游客,有些國家館是本國外交官員舉行招待會的場所,有些國家館根本就不對外開放。這一點(diǎn)與現(xiàn)代世博會的參展國展館是完全不相同的。
簡要信息
名稱:美國獨(dú)立百年展覽會
地點(diǎn):美國費(fèi)城
會期:1876年5月10日至1876年11月10日
參加國:35個
參觀者:1000萬
背景
19世紀(jì)70年代,美國作為一個經(jīng)濟(jì)大國,正從西半球昂揚(yáng)崛起,創(chuàng)造了一個強(qiáng)國發(fā)展的奇跡。當(dāng)時美國經(jīng)濟(jì)位居世界第四,至19世紀(jì)80年代,美國的經(jīng)濟(jì)已居世界第一。
1860到1880年,美國農(nóng)業(yè)機(jī)械化過程進(jìn)展迅速,造就了高度發(fā)達(dá)的農(nóng)業(yè)。同時,美國的煤炭、鋼鐵、石油產(chǎn)量逐步超越了英法等國,交通迅速發(fā)展,1875年每天進(jìn)出芝加哥的火車達(dá)750列。當(dāng)工業(yè)化基本實(shí)現(xiàn)時,美國已經(jīng)成為世界上經(jīng)濟(jì)實(shí)力最強(qiáng)大的國家。
19世紀(jì)70年代的美國,無疑是地球上最生機(jī)勃勃、蒸蒸日上的國度。世博會這個舞臺,它總是在一定的時間與空間里,展示著人類最新的發(fā)展。歷史的發(fā)展,注定讓世博會不會錯過美國。
舉辦歷程
早在19世紀(jì)60年代,美國已經(jīng)有舉行慶祝美國獨(dú)立100周年紀(jì)念活動的計劃。曾擔(dān)任美國駐法外交官的畢格羅(Hon·John Bigelow)、曾任職1867年巴黎世博會美國參展團(tuán)的諾頓將軍(General Charles B. Norton)以及大學(xué)教授坎貝爾(J.L.Campbell),寫信給當(dāng)時的費(fèi)城市市長,建議在費(fèi)城舉辦世博會作為百年慶典活動。其間沉寂了許久,直到 1871年3月3日,國會終于通過舉辦1876年費(fèi)城世博會的議案,成立了“美利堅獨(dú)立百年展委員會”負(fù)責(zé)籌辦事務(wù)。同時,議案明確規(guī)定:美國政府對此類事務(wù)產(chǎn)生的費(fèi)用不負(fù)有責(zé)任(The United States shall not be liable for any expenses attending such exhibition, or by reason of the same)。
這是迄今查閱到的美國政府對于世博會資金問題最早、最明確的態(tài)度??荚嚧螅珖畲蠼逃惥W(wǎng)站(www.Examda。com)
事實(shí)上,美國國會1871年的這一決定從根本上決定了美國世博會的主辦模式。與此前歐洲世博會政府撥款相比,籌辦1876費(fèi)城世博會需要更多的勇氣和智慧。
然而,籌建世博會終究是不能沒有美元的。那么,費(fèi)城世博會資金到底從哪里來呢?國會決定于1872年6月1日成立“百年紀(jì)念展融資部(Centennial Board of Finance)”專門負(fù)責(zé)籌集和使用資金,并且授權(quán)融資部發(fā)售股票和紀(jì)念章。
自1872年11月21日,融資部開始發(fā)行總值不超過1000萬美元債券,每份10美元,發(fā)售3個月,最終獲得資金250萬美元;自1874年6月16日起,由融資部出售美國獨(dú)立百年紀(jì)念章、小禮品等,面值1~11美元不等,最終獲得50萬美元。值得一提的是,盡管聯(lián)邦政府只肯貸款不肯撥款,但賓夕法尼亞州和費(fèi)城市分別撥款100萬和150萬美元直接用于世博會,費(fèi)城還出資 250萬美元在舒約契爾河上建了一座橋作為世博會場址的前期準(zhǔn)備。
開幕式
1873年7月3日,格蘭特總統(tǒng)鄭重宣布了世博會的開幕日期,同時向各國使館發(fā)出參展邀請。1874年,各類展館先后開始建造。直至1876年4月,大部分展館準(zhǔn)備就緒。
盡管下著雨,但仍有20萬參觀者出席了開幕式。出席開幕式的有:美國國會全體成員、37個參展國的官員及隨行人員、巴西國王佩德羅二世,還有特別以5000美元的出場費(fèi)邀請到的德國作曲家理查德·瓦格納(Richard Wagner)。
下午,美國總統(tǒng)格蘭特與巴西國王佩德羅二世一起拉動開關(guān),啟動了作為總動力源的600噸柯立斯蒸汽機(jī),這在當(dāng)時是功率最大的。于是,千百臺機(jī)械和泵齊聲轟鳴,展廳在隆隆聲中微微振動,人們歡呼雀躍著,將禮帽拋向空中。
展館
美國政府館是最大的國家館,是用以展示的。國家館包含了美國郵政部、農(nóng)業(yè)部、專利局、國家博物館、國防部、國家實(shí)驗(yàn)室等機(jī)構(gòu)的大型展示,其中僅美國專利局就展示了6萬張發(fā)明圖片和5000多個發(fā)明模型,吸引了大量游客。
值得一提的是,這屆世博會的參展國并不是都有獨(dú)立的國家館,35個參展國中只有15個國家建有自己的展館。例如中國是參展國之一,但沒有獨(dú)立的中國館建筑,只是在主辦國的主展廳中擁有“大清國”展區(qū);而日本建有獨(dú)立的日本館,同時還擁有主題館中的日本展區(qū)。這15個國家館的主要功能并不是用來展示展品,當(dāng)時的國家館根本就不在游客的參觀計劃中,因?yàn)閰⒄箛拇硇哉蛊范荚诟髦黝}館集中展示。那么,1876年世博會的參展國國家館到底用來做什么呢?文獻(xiàn)記載表明,15個國家館主要充當(dāng)了本國參展人員的駐地,有些國家館負(fù)責(zé)接洽遠(yuǎn)道而來的本國游客,有些國家館是本國外交官員舉行招待會的場所,有些國家館根本就不對外開放。這一點(diǎn)與現(xiàn)代世博會的參展國展館是完全不相同的。
另外,美國各州分別出資建立了州館,州館作為地方性展館,在規(guī)格與功能上竟與大部分的參展國展館類似。州館主要充當(dāng)各州參展事務(wù)辦公室或接待室。例如,有些州的行政長官在本州展館內(nèi)接待市民,有些州館為本州游客提供郵政服務(wù)等。從數(shù)量上看,美國共建了24個州館,而參展國國家館總共才有15個。
展品
主廳:美國展品占據(jù)了一半;
機(jī)械宮:美國展品占據(jù)了3/4;
紀(jì)念宮:歐洲頂級藝術(shù)大師的作品寥寥無幾;
農(nóng)業(yè)宮:美國展品占據(jù)了2/3;
園藝宮:基本全是美國展品;
對于參展國展品,美國的態(tài)度是:展覽結(jié)束后,參展國如欲在美國售出展品,就必須遵從高額的進(jìn)口關(guān)稅;否則,只能花費(fèi)代價運(yùn)回本國。美國政府館是最大的國家館,是用以展示的。國家館包含了美國郵政部、農(nóng)業(yè)部、專利局、國家博物館、國防部、國家實(shí)驗(yàn)室等機(jī)構(gòu)的大型展示,其中僅美國專利局就展示了6萬張發(fā)明圖片和5000多個發(fā)明模型,吸引了大量游客。來源:www.examda.com
美國各州分別出資建立了州館,州館作為地方性展館,在規(guī)格與功能上竟與大部分的參展國展館類似。州館主要充當(dāng)各州參展事務(wù)辦公室或接待室。例如,有些州的行政長官在本州展館內(nèi)接待市民,有些州館為本州游客提供郵政服務(wù)等。從數(shù)量上看,美國共建了24個州館,而參展國國家館總共才有15個?! ?/span>
美國館
美國政府館是最大的國家館,是用以展示的。國家館包含了美國郵政部、農(nóng)業(yè)部、專利局、國家博物館、國防部、國家實(shí)驗(yàn)室等機(jī)構(gòu)的大型展示,其中僅美國專利局就展示了6萬張發(fā)明圖片和5000多個發(fā)明模型,吸引了大量游客。來源:考試大
值得一提的是,這屆世博會的參展國并不是都有獨(dú)立的國家館,35個參展國中只有15個國家建有自己的展館。例如中國是參展國之一,但沒有獨(dú)立的中國館建筑,只是在主辦國的主展廳中擁有“大清國”展區(qū);而日本建有獨(dú)立的日本館,同時還擁有主題館中的日本展區(qū)。這15個國家館的主要功能并不是用來展示展品,當(dāng)時的國家館根本就不在游客的參觀計劃中,因?yàn)閰⒄箛拇硇哉蛊范荚诟髦黝}館集中展示。那么,1876年世博會的參展國國家館到底用來做什么呢?文獻(xiàn)記載表明,15個國家館主要充當(dāng)了本國參展人員的駐地,有些國家館負(fù)責(zé)接洽遠(yuǎn)道而來的本國游客,有些國家館是本國外交官員舉行招待會的場所,有些國家館根本就不對外開放。這一點(diǎn)與現(xiàn)代世博會的參展國展館是完全不相同的。
另外,美國各州分別出資建立了州館,州館作為地方性展館,在規(guī)格與功能上竟與大部分的參展國展館類似。州館主要充當(dāng)各州參展事務(wù)辦公室或接待室。例如,有些州的行政長官在本州展館內(nèi)接待市民,有些州館為本州游客提供郵政服務(wù)等。從數(shù)量上看,美國共建了24個州館,而參展國國家館總共才有15個。