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Chadbourn Thesis A HISTORICAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE NORWAY AND MAINE STATE BUILDINGS FROM THE 1893 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS For the degree MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION By KAYTE ANN CHADBOURN Committee Approval: _______________________________________________ ________________ Committee Chairman – Francis Parker, Ph.D. Date _______________________________________________ ________________ Committee Member – Susan Lankford Date _______________________________________________ ________________ Committee Member – David Kroll Date Departmental Approval: _______________________________________________ ________________ Department of Architecture – Mahesh Senagala Date Graduate Office Check: _______________________________________________ ________________ Dean of the Graduate School – Robert Morris, Ph.D. Date BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, INDIANA JULY 2009 A HISTORICAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE NORWAY AND MAINE STATE BUILDINGS FROM THE 1893 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS for the degree MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION by KAYTE ANN CHADBOURN ADVISOR – FRANCIS PARKER BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, INDIANA JULY 2009 Acknowledgements There are a few people that I would like to thank for their contributions to this thesis. First of all, I would like to thank my committee members: David Kroll, Susan Lankford, and especially my chair, Dr. Francis Parker. I can’t thank them enough for their guidance, willingness, and ability to help me make this thesis the best it can be. Furthermore, I would like to recognize Randy Richter, Founder and Co-President of the World’s Fair Preservation Society based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. I was fortunate enough to meet with him in the summer of 2008, when he gave me initial information and the encouragement to pursue this topic. Also, to Peter Biermeier, a good friend, who was able to give me important information about the topic that was otherwise difficult to obtain. Moreover, I had wonderful contacts at each of the sites who were absolutely crucial with the research process by sharing with me their first-hand experiences and knowledge of their respective buildings. Scott Winner, Director and Owner of Little Norway, was very gracious and welcoming when I visited the site and answered all my questions along the way through continued contact. Jason Libby, Executive Director of the Poland Spring Preservation Society, was so excited and involved with the project from the very moment I contacted him. His enthusiasm and time spent sending me documents and pictures were imperative to the completion of the Maine State Building chapter. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge those people who encouraged me and gave advice through the last phase of writing and editing. To those who were there when I needed their help the most: Karen, Jayme, Abbi, Grandma, Dr. Brian, Joe, Greg, and Brian. This thesis, and my overall sanity, would not be possible without you. To all my fellow MSHP students: Ashley, Chris, Derek, Emilie, J.P., Shawn, Sheri, and Travis. You all have made this part of my life enjoyable and memorable, for that I am forever grateful. Lastly, I would like to thank my mom and dad, who in true parental form, continued to call and remind me of the schedule needed to complete this paper as well as showing their unconditional support no matter what. To all of you, your contributions are fully recognized and appreciated. Table of Contents Chapter I: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 History of World’s Fairs .......................................................................................... 3 History of the 1893 Columbian Exposition ............................................................... 5 National Buildings of the Chicago World’s Fair ........................................................ 12 State Buildings of the Chicago World’s Fair .............................................................. 15 Buildings Still Existing from the Chicago World’s Fair .............................................. 18 Chapter II: The Norway Building ........................................................................................... 25 Conception .............................................................................................................. 25 Design and Construction .......................................................................................... 29 The End of the Stave Church .................................................................................... 33 From Norway to America ......................................................................................... 35 At the Chicago World’s Fair ..................................................................................... 35 From Exposition to Private Ownership ..................................................................... 39 Little Norway ........................................................................................................... 41 The Norway Building at Little Norway ...................................................................... 42 Chapter III: The Maine State Building .................................................................................. 46 Conception .............................................................................................................. 46 Design and Construction .......................................................................................... 47 At the Chicago World’s Fair ..................................................................................... 51 After the Fair ........................................................................................................... 54 The Poland Spring Resort ........................................................................................ 54 The Poland Spring Preservation Society .................................................................. 58 The Maine State Building Today .............................................................................. 59 Chapter IV: Analysis & Conclusion ....................................................................................... 61 Architecture of World Expositions .......................................................................... 61 State and National Building Design Guidelines ........................................................ 62 The Norway and Maine State Buildings ................................................................... 63 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 66 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 69 Appendices .......................................................................................................................... 74 A: List of World’s Fairs held in North America .......................................................... 74 B: Norway Building National Register Nomination .................................................. 77 C: Maine State Building National Register Nomination ............................................. 110 D: Norway Building Photographs ............................................................................. 116 E: Maine State Building Photographs ...................................................................... 135 F: Miscellaneous Photographs of the 1893 Columbian Exposition ........................... 147 1 Chapter I: Introduction World Expositions have had a tremendous impact and influence on international social and cultural history. National identities, technological advancements, and economic stimulation have long influenced the architectural environments created by the historical phenomena popularly known as World’s Fairs. Some of the most iconic structures from around the world were built for World’s Fairs. Easily identifiable: Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Seattle’s Space Needle, and Montreal’s Habitat. Lesser known, but nonetheless exceptional pieces of World’s Fair history are: the New York State Pavilion, Tokyo’s International Forum, London’s Millennium Dome, the Barcelona Pavilion, and the Crystal Palace in London, among others. Expositions have allowed architects to create and display their designs for millions of people to admire. Why did some of these architectural wonders survive while others have sadly been demolished or left to their eventual demise? Those remaining masterpieces of past World’s Fairs are part of our historical architectural culture. By examining two buildings that exist from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition, the Norway Building and Maine State Building, I hope to discover the significance for their survival. World’s Fairs architecture inspires those who are involved with and interested in Historic Preservation. There are a surprising number of Exposition buildings that are still standing within the United States. A specialized critique is needed to comprehend the significance of why some Fair architecture survives while others do not. The Norway Building 2 and Maine State Building exemplify continued public use and tourist attraction. Options considered for categorizing and choosing these two existing World Fair buildings for analysis include their current location, Exhibition of origin,
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