Preparations for the Centennial Exhibition 0/1876

Preparations For The Centennial Exhibition 0/1876 OST AMERICANS were aware that the United States would celebrate its first century of independence in 1876 but few M had any idea of how to go about it other than by holding a fair or exhibition. Historically, the purpose of many fairs, such as the British Industries Fair held today, was specifically to sell mer- chandise. Though people in the United States frequently interchange the words "fair" and "exhibition," there is a difference between the two. A fair, such as the Civil War Sanitary Fairs, was primarily an occasion when goods were offered for sale, and an exhibition where they were displayed. The difference is not as minor as it seems, even granting that the goal of the exhibitor who displayed his goods was to sell them ultimately through orders placed at the time of the exhibit. There were many reasons to have exhibitions, of which the most obvious was to show off, to draw particular attention to the nation exhibiting, to demonstrate its progress.1 Another purpose was to ad- vance the material interests of the individual exhibitor and allow him to transact business which in the end was good for the nation's economy. Thirdly, the exhibition was a means to enliven competi- tive instinct by permitting exhibitors to compare products which in turn might stimulate them to readapt their own or to invent a newer or better one.2 Probably the most recent reason to have an exhibition has been to provide cultural pleasure and instruction. Today exhibitions are more than anything else a powerful means for propaganda.3 The industrial exhibition was essentially a modern development, closely connected with the Industrial Revolution and the social, political, and economic changes which it brought about. Though the 1 Kenneth W. Luckhurst, The Story of Exhibitions (London, 1951), 10-12. 2 Ibid., 9-10. 3 Monte Calvert, "American Technology at World Fairs, 1851-1876" (unpublished master's thesis, University of Delaware, 1962), 2. 213 214 FAITH K. PIZOR Apii first industrial exhibition appears to have taken place in 1761 in England, this was actually an all-English show. The modern exhibition movement really started in France in 17983 where, though no art was displayed, there were exhibits from many countries. The French continued to have exhibitions every few years, each lasting only a few days.4 It was not until 1851 and England's Crystal Palace Exhibition, however, that the great exhibitions we have come to know first took place. The Crystal Palace with its one large building and lack of an art exhibit was followed by New York's abortive attempt in 1853 to copy the English. Next came the Paris Exhibition of 1855 which included a fine arts display but in other ways also tried to copy the Crystal Palace and was, like New York, a financial failure. The year 1862 saw England once again host an exhibition, but it was over- shadowed by their first attempt and was not considered a success. The Paris exhibition of 1867 was the first to differ from the 1851 model by laying out the main exhibition building on a grid system so that the exhibits could be arranged by nationality and by subject, and by having several smaller buildings grouped around the main building. The Vienna Exhibition of 1873 expanded upon the Paris plan by using the large and lovely Prater parkland, giving the Ex- hibition a beautiful setting and a great deal of space for many minor pavilions. Nevertheless, it was not considered a success, mainly because the price for hotels and lodging had been doubled by Viennese innkeepers and the expected heavy foreign visitation had been frightened away by the high cost.5 The next international ex- position was the Centennial of 1876, for all practical purposes the first serious attempt to hold an industrial exhibition in the United States. As early as December, 1866, Professor John L. Campbell of Wabash College, Indiana, had written to Mayor Morton McMichael of Philadelphia suggesting that an international exhibition be held in Philadelphia to commemorate the centennial.6 This suggestion 4 Luckhurst, 63, 70. 5 Ibid., 117-137; Edward C. Bruce, The Century: Its Fruits and Its Festival (Philadelphia, 1877), 43- 6S. Edgar Trout, The Story of the Centennial 0/1876 (Lancaster, Pa., 1929), 39. Many- people have claimed the honor of first suggesting the idea of a Centennial celebration, including John Bigelow, Gen. Charles B. Norton and Col. M. R. Muckle", but Campbell is generally ac- cepted as the first person who put his request in writing and followed it through. 1970 PREPARATIONS FOR THE CENTENNIAL 215 was discussed by many prominent Philadelphians and on January 20, 1870, resolutions endorsing it were brought before the city's Select Council. The Pennsylvania legislature and the Franklin Insti- tute quickly endorsed the proposals and offered their support, but not everyone thought it was a good idea. The editors of the Ration felt that the success of the United States in its first hundred years had not been spectacular, that its civilization was not brilliant, and that the country was not equipped to handle such a large under- taking.7 Many nationalistic Americans argued that the Centennial should be a private American affair and that Europeans should not be invited, specifically that "monarchs should not be invited to celebrate" the birthday of a republic.8 This latter argument was denied by proponents of the exhibition who claimed that it would be an excellent way to show how successful a republican way of life was over a monarchy. Similarly, it was felt that since the purpose of our participation in foreign exhibitions had been to publicize our national resources and industries and to show our competence and growth, and, since we had often been handicapped by our inability to ship large exhibits abroad, we would have the best opportunity to show foreign nations our country at its greatest on its own soil. It was also believed that most Americans had very little knowledge of European art, manufacturing, and mechanical pursuits, and that the Centennial celebration would be an excellent opportunity for everyone, especially young school children, to broaden their minds if it included foreign exhibits.9 Another battle that flared briefly was over the location of the Centennial. Washington, as the nation's capital, was considered, but was found to be too small and to have too few lodging places for visitors. New York had had its exhibition in 1853 and Boston, despite its historical significance, was considered too small and too in- accessible to most Americans.10 Philadelphians thought their city was the logical choice. It was the birthplace of the nation where the Declaration of Independence had been signed, and it had been the seat of the Continental Congress, 7 Nation, XVIII, No. 451 (Feb. 19, 1874), 118-119. 8 Merle Curti, "America at the World Fairs, 1851-1893," American Historical Review, LV (i95o), 853. 9 New York Times, editorial, Oct. 1, 1873. 10 Bruce, 60. 216 FAITH K. PIZOR April the Constitutional Convention, and the first administrations under the Constitution. It was also the secdhd city of the nation in popula- tion and often called the city of homes, claiming that of 140,000 buildings, 130,000 were dwelling houses, thus enabling it to accom- modate many visitors. Promoters neglected to say that there were fewer than 5,000 hotel rooms in the city, and that of the 130,000 dwellings very few were boarding houses.11 The claim was also advanced that living expenses in Philadelphia were moderate when compared with New York, Boston, Chicago, and St. Louis, and that only Baltimore of the major cities was less expensive.12 Philadelphians pointed out that their city was a good half-way point between North and South and was easily accessible to foreign visitors. Philadelphia was not, however, everyone's choice. The ^Atlantic ^Monthly stated that "the exhibition involves many ideas besides that of a national festival and for the most part ideas of an order peculiarly opposed to the Philadelphia habit of mind. No place of such size has been so consistently adverse to anything new; no large community ever set its face so firmly against innovations and im- provements . the pride of Philadelphia has been to perpetuate the mistakes of previous generations."13 Despite these and other adverse comments, Philadelphia was the logical place to hold the Centennial and, in fact, it was the only city willing to undertake the financial burden. From the beginning the Federal Government was not overly receptive to the idea of an international exhibition. Unlike European nations whose expositions were largely financed and sponsored by their respective host govern- ments, the United States government had no intention of playing such a role. Many members of Congress, led by western senators and congressmen, failed to see any value in exhibitions, and a few, specifically Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, bitterly opposed the idea. Had it not been for Sumner's death in 1874, his continued opposition might have proved fatal to the Centennial.14 Only the in- cessant pleas of senators and congressmen from the northeast, U James D. McCabe, The Illustrated History of the Centennial Exhibition (Philadelphia, 1876), 27. 12 Ibid., 28. 13 Atlantic Monthly, XXXVIII (July, 1876), 85. l^Calvert, 150, 179. 1970 PREPARATIONS FOR THE CENTENNIAL 217 Middle Atlantic, and some southern states, who believed that exports grew as a result of participation in exhibitions, had enabled our participation in foreign expositions.15 Philadelphia boosters argued that the Centennial would be a tremendous stimulus to trade and that American exports would multiply just as England's had soared since 1851.16 At all events, Philadelphians were determined to have the exhibition in their city regardless of congressional attitudes.

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