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- Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 Souvenir Paperweight, Memorial Hall
Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 Souvenir Paperweight, Memorial Hall
Object Details
- Description
- Souvenir paperweight commemorating the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876. Marked MEMORIAL HALL 1776 1876 with a depiction of the same. Oval shaped bottom and sides; frosted glass; top clear; sides turned.
- Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufacturers, and Products of the Soil and Mine, better known as the Centennial Exposition, was held in Philadelphia, PA's Fairmount Park from May- November 1876. Over 10 million people visited the Exposition's 285 acres in that time, populated with over 200 buildings, including the Main Hall, which at 35 acres was, at the time, the largest building ever constructed. Other buildings were Halls devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture and Machinery, Memorial Hall, home to the Exposition's Art Gallery, and a Pavilion funded by, and celebrating, women.
- Thirty seven countries participated in what was America's first official World's Fair. Also, 26 of the nation's 37 states constructed pavilions, a symbolic victory given the country's recent Civil War and Reconstruction. Despite the recent abolishment of slavery, the Fair few examples of African Americans and their achievements.
- For an admission fee of 50 cents, visitors were able to peruse countless consumer goods, be introduced to groundbreaking technological advancements and enjoy novel amusements and foods. The most popular item was the Corliss Steam Engine, which, at nearly 50 feet tall, powered the Machinery Hall. Other highlights included the first public demonstrations of Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and rides upon the world's first steam driven monorail, and a first look at the Statue of Liberty, whose completed right arm and torch were on display. Many fair goers experienced their first taste of fares such as bananas, popcorn, Hires root beer and Heinz ketchup.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- The Larry Zim World's Fair Collection
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- Date made
- 1876
- associated dates
- 1876 05 10 / 1876 05 10, 1876 11 10 / 1876 11 10
- ID Number
- 1989.0438.0306
- catalog number
- 1989.0438.0306
- accession number
- 1989.0438
- maker
- Gillinden and Sons
- Object Name
- Paperweight
- Physical Description
- glass (overall material)
- Measurements
- average spatial: 1 1/2 in x 5 1/4 in x 4 in; 3.81 cm x 13.335 cm x 10.16 cm
- place made
- United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- See more items in
- Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
- Subject
- Expositions and Fairs
- Expositions and Fairs
- related event
- Centennial Exposition
- Record ID
- nmah_1065601
- Usage
- CC0
