Kentucky State Building
Architect: Maury & Dodd, Louisville, Kentucky
Area: 7,740
Cost: $25,000
Picturesque World’s Fair, An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views—Published with the Endorsement and Approval of George R. Davis, 1894
THE KENTUCKY BUILDING.—The Kentucky Building was adjacent to that of Missouri, near the northwest corner of the grounds, and was a pleasing structure in the Colonial style. It was seventy-five by ninety feet in dimensions, with fine porches supported by Corinthian pillars. The offices and parlors were large and roomy and the general air one of comfort and hospitality. Inside the building stood a fine statue of Daniel Boone. In the main room of the interior was a large statue of Henry Clay in the attitude he ordinarily assumed when speaking. This great room was made particularly home-like in appearance by a monster fireplace at one side of the hall, large enough to accommodate large logs of wood and giving an old-fashioned appearance to the apartment. The second floor was surrounded by a gallery from which entrance was had to reading, writing, smoking and committee rooms. This floor almost resembled a picture gallery, so many portraits of distinguished Kentuckians were shown. There was a fine painting in oil of General Lee, another of Secretary Carlisle and, beside these, portraits of a long line of men distinguished in Kentucky’s history. There were also a number of marble busts and old family portraits. The idea seemed to have been the erection of a typical mansion, with the customary adornments of its interior, while, at the same time, giving an idea of the history of the state. The conception was pleasantly and successfully carried out.
Kentucky State Building
Kentucky occupies a space between Florida and Texas. The architect’s idea in this structure was to typify the southern colonial style as distinguished from that of New England. The most striking feature of the former style is the great pillared porch in front. Another object is to suggest the better class of the old Kentucky homestead, and at the same time to give enough variety to meet the demands of the occasion, and furnish an attractive club house where southern hospitality can be dispensed. The exterior of the building js colored a rich cream, trimmed with pure white for the decorations. The material is staff, as in so many other buildings. The edifice, exclusive of porches, measures 75 by 95 feet, with the main entrance in the centre of the principal facade, under the cover of the porch. This entrance leads into a large central hall from which open offices, parcel rooms, and a post-office. The dining room is in the rear of the building opposite the front door. On the left side of the hall is a great fireplace, and still to the left are the ladies’ parlors. The dining room measures 20 by 40 feet. The commissioner room, a private hall, sleeping rooms, bath rooms and others, are on the second floor. The three large exhibition rooms extend across the entire front of the building and open on to a wide gallery. They can all be thrown together when desired. The wood-work throughout is finished in white enamel. Maury & Dodd, of Louisville, were the architects of this building.
Kentucky State Building
Leave a Reply