West Virginia State Building
Architect: Joseph L. Silsbee, Chicago, Illinois
Area: 7,401
Cost: $22,070
Picturesque World’s Fair, An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views—Published with the Endorsement and Approval of George R. Davis, 1894
THE WEST VIRGINIA BUILDING.—The building of West Virginia was a handsome house in the Colonial style, two stories in height and erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. The woodwork was of the finest sycamore. The interior was finished in hardwood throughout and all the exposed material in the building, whether of wood or metal was a product of the state. It was a fine building, but, handsome as it was, a much greater interest attached to its contents. in one of the rooms was the table at which Generals Grant and Lee signed the article of capitulation of the Army of Northern Virginia. They were of an extraordinary character. The table was the property of Mrs. H. Spillman the daughter of Major McLean, in whose house the surrender was made. There was also the lounge on which the two generals sat while they discussed the terms of the surrender. A plain looking glass case contained articles of not less curious importance. There was the original entry for the execution of Major Andre, given from the headquarters at Orangetown, N.J., and calling for the execution to take place at precisely five o’clock, October 1, 1780. This was in the handwriting of General Washington. There were two pipes belonging to John Banger, a pistol taken from him at Harper’s Ferry, and the original order for his execution of General Wise and indorsed by the sheriff, and also a piece of the rope with which he was hanged. There were autographic letters of General Lee and numerous similar relics of more modern times.
The Book of the Fair, Hubert Howe Bancroft, 1894
Returning now to a point just east of the Kentucky Building, we find the structure of West Virginia. In this building, as is appropriate for a State of that region, the style is strictly colonial. It is a wide-spreading house, with great piazzas, recalling those of the historical houses along the Potomac and the James. The broad veranda makes almost a complete circuit of the mansion, and on the northern and southern fronts forms a semicircular porch. The doors and windows, stairways and halls are all of hospitable proportions. The ornamentation follows the same idea, being carried out in classic forms, in the way of festoons, and other graceful arrangements of flower and leaf. The main entrance is surmounted by the arms of the State and bas-relief. On each floor are two fine colonial fire-places, with wood mantels elaborately carved. The main floor is entered through a vestibule flanked by committee rooms, and after passing through this the visitor enters the large reception hall, having parlors with drawing rooms and toiletrooms.
The second story contains other committee rooms, and also a large assembly room, 76×34 feet, and thirteen feet high. The exhibits from West Virginia are largely composed of minerals, and things beautiful and curious connected with mining and metallurgy. Handsome cabinets of various kinds have been constructed for this display. The building is of wood, with high pitched shingle roof, the outside being weatherboarded and painted.
The interior is plastered, with hard wood finishing, and the ceilings are of ornamental iron work. All the material used in the structure is native to the State. It is 58 by 1 20 feet deep, and the cost was $20,000.
West Virginia State Building
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