Wisconsin - Expo Philadelphia 1876

Simpler among State buildings, with no more ornamentation than the ordinary frame house of the well-to-do citizen, the State of Wisconsin does not dispute admiration for the beauty of the arrangements she has made for the accommodation of her commissioners and citizens.

There is no superfluity of ornament here, but the interior shows that the most important objects of comfort and convenience have been studied.

This house is situated on the north side of State Avenue, between the Michigan and Illinois buildings, and northwest of the west end of the United States Government Building.

The dimensions are 45 x 50 feet, two stories high, with a central round-headed window and a French window in front on the second floor, and a double round-headed window on each side.

A small pyramid-shaped cupola rises above the ornamental pediment and is surmounted by a flagpole.

A piazza supported by plain pillars extends around the east, west and south sides of the house.

From the main entrance door, a hall extends across the building seven feet wide.

On the west side is the ladies' sitting room, 16 x 20 feet, which is connected to a retreat room at the rear. The floor is carpeted with Brussels, the walls papered with gold, the ceiling light blue, and the wainscoting of thick Wisconsin paper imitating wood being placed in appropriate places. The furniture was made in Wisconsin.

On the east side, there is a 20x16 gentlemen's reception room, a baggage room, restrooms, and a reading room, which is furnished with files of Wisconsin published material. A staircase leads to the second floor, on which the main entrance, running north-south, is the width of the room below. This floor is divided into six rooms, three on each side, which serve as sleeping quarters for the employees, in addition to a private office room.

To the north of this building is an annex for a special display of Wisconsin productions. It contains specimens of the state's ores, minerals, stones and woods. Above this collection presides the war eagle "Old Abe," a bird which boasts a biography some of the Badger State attendants will be glad to tell.

©Centennial portfolio: a souvenir of the international exhibition at Philadelphia - 1876