West Virginia State Building
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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