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Centennial Exhibition of 1876 records
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Held at: City of Philadelphia, Department of Records, City Archives [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the City of Philadelphia, Department of Records, City Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
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Following the end of the American Civil War, Americans began to prepare for the celebration of the nation's 100th birthday in 1876. Various citizens of Philadelphia proposed that this exhibition should be held in this city and a resolution to that effect was adopted by the Select and Common Councils in January 1870. Subsequently, the Legislature of Pennsylvania supported this resolution and a memorial was submitted to Congress. Early in March 1870, a bill was presented to the House of Representatives and, after several amendments, was adopted by Congress on 3 March 1871.
This Act created a Commission composed of one delegate from each state and territory appointed by the President to one-year terms. The chief duty assigned the Commission was to:
...prepare and superintend the execution of a plan for holding an exhibition, and, after conference with the authorities of the city of Philadelphia, to fix upon a suitable site within the corporate limits of the said city where the exhibition shall be held.
The Commission was charged to hold its meetings in Philadelphia. The Act was clear that, although created by an Act of Congress, the Commission was prohibited from accepting any money from the United States Treasury either as compensation for its members or for any expenses for the exhibition itself.
During 1871, President U. S. Grant appointed the various commissioners and the first meeting date was set for March 4, 1872. The Commission was incorporated by an Act of Congress of June 1, 1872, which also created the incorporated Centennial Board of Finance (Record Group 231). The Commission met in only nine sessions, from March 1872 to January 15, 1879, the date of its final adjournment. Its responsibilities were carried out chiefly by an Executive Committee formed in May 1872, and was composed of thirteen members who in turn chose a Director-General to whom all subsidiary bureaus and committees were required to report. The Executive Committee, acting in cooperation with the Directors of the Centennial Board of Finance, maintained control of the basic functions of the gathering, display, and judging of exhibits throughout the exhibition.
The grounds to be used by the International Exhibition were recently acquired by the City of Philadelphia as part of Fairmount Park (Record Group 149). On July 4, 1873, a tract of approximately 450 acres overseeing the west bank of the Schuylkill River, was formally transferred to the United States Centennial Commission for use as the exhibition grounds, with great ceremonies. Exactly one year later, the ground was formally broken for the Exhibition buildings. At the request of Congress, the President invited foreign nations to participate in the Exhibition on June 5, 1874.
The International Exhibition opened to the public on May 10, 1876 and closed on November 10, 1876. The United States Centennial Commission continued in existence until all of the financial accounting was completed and held their final sessions on January 15, 1879.
In the Director-General's report, he states "the importance of disseminating correct information about the Exhibition led to the establishment of the Department of the Press." The Commission provided an office where duly accredited newspaper writers were given desks, stationery and information. This office could accommodate 60 writers at one time and approximately 500 persons connected with American and foreign newspapers registered during the Exhibition.
The Centennial Board of Finance was created as an incorporated body by an Act of Congress of June 1, 1872 at the direct request of the United States Centennial Commission. The Board was composed of 749 Corporators named in the Act who, along with holders of the stock issued by the Board, annually chose twenty-five "Directors of the Board of Finance" who thereafter exercised the Board's duties. Nominees for these seats were chosen by the Centennial Commission. The Director's functions consisted primarily of the raising of funds through the sale of stock (governmental donations including $575,000 from the City of Philadelphia, $1,000,000 from the State of Pennsylvania and a loan of $1.5 million from the Federal government), and the construction and maintenance of the buildings and grounds subject to the general approval of the Centennial Commission. The accounts of the Board of Finance were audited and accepted by the Centennial Commission in January 1879 although contents of several record series listed within this group indicate that the Board was engaged in settling its affairs at least through 1881.
The Centennial Board of Finance had a number of standing committees to assist them with the work of financing the Exhibition, its buildings and grounds. These were the Committee on Finance and Accounts, Committee on Grounds, Plans & Buildings, Committee on Concessions, Committee of Revision and Supplies, Committee on Transportation, Custom Duties, etc., Committee on Insurance, Committee on Admissions, Committee on Printing and Publishing, Committee on Music, Committee on Hotels, and Committee on Boarding Accommodations for Visitors. Many of these committees worked closely with and oversaw the work of many of the executive departments of the United States Centennial Commission. As a result, the records of many of the activities may be found in both record groups.
As the preparations for the Exhibition advanced, it was found necessary, in order to insure the dispatch of all business, to have every branch of the work organized and thoroughly systematized, with experts at the head of each department. Accordingly, to complete the organization of the central office, the Director-General, with the approval of the Executive Committee, created administrative bureaus and departments, each of which discharged its appropriate duties under his supervision and control. The following, with the department of the Secretary of the Commission, and those organized by the Centennial Board of Finance, comprised the Executive Departments of the Exhibition.
The Department of Admissions was created on December 1, 1875 and oversaw the admission procedures at the Centennial Exhibition. In addition to collecting admission fees and issuing passes to the grounds, the Department was also responsible for the creation of the forms to be used for tickets, passes, and various reports to be filled out by the various turnstile attendants. It had to man 106 entrance gates and 17 wagon gates each day. There were three classes of admissions: Class A, for those who paid; Class B, for complimentary passes; and Class C, for exhibitors, attendants, employees and reporters.
The Bureau of Agriculture was organized on February 25, 1875. In accordance with the published circular letter, the Bureau "will comprehend the native and cultivated products of the soil, and of objects more directly derived there from, agricultural machinery and farm appliances." The Bureau also announced that it was providing accommodations for the display of live-stock in the fall months of September and October. It was principally responsible for the installation of displays and the maintenance of Agricultural Hall, the Dairy Building, the Butter and Cheese Building, Brewers' Hall, the Wagon Building, and Pomological Hall. Initially, the Bureau planned for a competitive trial of agricultural machinery but this was later replaced with a voluntary trial and exhibition of machinery, without awards.
The Bureau of Awards was responsible for the judging of the various exhibits and the final awards. The judges were appointed by the governments of their respective countries but they became paid members of the Commission staff during the course of their adjudication. The number of judges necessary for each grouping was determined by the Bureau of Awards.
There were many problems experienced with the awards systems at previous international exhibitions, principally those encountered at the English exhibitions of 1851 and 1862 and the French exhibitions of 1855 and 1867. The United States Centennial Commission set up an award system that was largely based upon the reforms agreed upon by the Commissioners-General of France, Great Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, Italy and the United States, following the close of the 1867 Exhibition. A summary of the system was reported in the Final Report of the Director-General. The summary had details such as abolishing an international jury and awards by graduated prize medals, a body of 250 judges was substituted, each one to be chosen for his qualifications for particular classes of work to be assigned to him. Awards were to be based on reports made in writing by the judges setting forth the inherent and comparative merits of each product adjudged, and such reports to be attested by the signatures of their authors, and awards were to consist of a diploma signed by the executive officers; a uniform bronze medal or memorial alike for all, and a certified copy of the special report of the judges on the subject of the awards.
The Department of the Engineer of the Centennial Grounds was organized on January 1, 1874 and consisted of a Chief Engineer, two Assistant Engineers and several helpers. This department was responsible for laying out the grounds of the Exhibition, for design and construction of the permanent Exhibition buildings, and for oversight of the construction of the other Exhibitions buildings. Most of the landscaping work also came under its jurisdiction.
The Bureau of Protection consisted of the Centennial Guard and the Fire Patrol. Initially, the Commission hoped that the United States Government would detail a sufficient force from the regular army for guard duty. As this hope failed, the Commission organized a regiment of a thousand men, including officers, which would be recruited and equipped for the purposes of security on the grounds. Eventually, the Guard recruited a total of 1,409 men to serve. On any given day, over 550 men would be on duty. The Bureau of Protection also oversaw the Centennial Fire Department, organized on February 5, 1876. In addition to two fire houses on the grounds, firemen were stationed at various buildings throughout the Exhibition in case of alarm.
The Bureau of Telegraphy was responsible for the installation of telegraph lines between the offices of the Philadelphia Police & Fire Alarm Telegraph, Centennial Commission, the Centennial Board of Finance and the Exhibition grounds, which was started in 1873. During 1876, the Bureau of Telegraphy was responsible for the installation of many lines throughout the grounds in order to quicken communications.
There are no records surviving from this Bureau, except final report of the Bureau of Telegraphy, can be found in Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Bureau of Classification and Catalogue was born in the first days of the United States Centennial Commission, which determined that a classification of the various exhibits was necessary, both for their arrangement in the Exhibition and in their appearance in the Official Catalogue. The Committee designed a system that was both systematic and geographic. As planning for the buildings on the grounds proceeded, it became apparent that the classification system would have to be changed to accommodate five principal buildings, instead of one as originally conceived. The work of the rearrangement of the classification was assigned to the Secretary's Office, which proceeded to create an arrangement of seven departments. The Secretary's Office attempted to adhere as closely as possible to the original plan of the Commission.
The Main Building held the exhibits of three departments: I. Mining and Metallurgy; II. Manufactures; and III. Education and Science. The Art Gallery (now Memorial Hall) was the site of department IV: Art. The fifth department (Machinery) was located in Machinery Hall, while the sixth department (Agriculture) was held in Agricultural Hall. Finally, Horticultural Hall, the other building intended to remain as a permanent memorial to the Exhibition, hosted the various horticultural exhibits of Department VII.
The Bureau of Art was formally organized with a Chief of Bureau in September 1875. The Bureau was responsible for three buildings: Memorial Hall (the Art Gallery), the Art Annex and Photographic Hall. The Bureau was aided by several committees, including an Advisory Committee, a Committee on Selection and a Committee on Arrangement. The Committee on Selection was to view American works gathered in Boston, New York and Philadelphia and select those to be exhibited at the Centennial. The Committee on Arrangement, composed principally of professional artists and an architect, was to assist the Bureau in the proper arrangement of the art works. The total number of exhibitors represented at the Centennial Exhibition was 2,472 with 7,147 pieces of art and photography.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs was created at the Commission’s first session and charged with the duty of securing the participation of foreign governments in the Exhibition. On July 3, 1873, the President of the United States issued a proclamation announcing the Exhibition, which foreign governments did not construe to be an invitation. Subsequently, on June 5, 1874, an Act of Congress was passed requesting the President to extend, in the name of the United States, a respectful and cordial invitation to foreign governments to participate. This the President did, through the offices of the Department of State.
In accordance with the general regulations of the Commission, no communication was held directly between the Centennial Commission and the individual foreign exhibitors. Instead, all matters relating to the exhibits and space allotments were handled by the Director-General and the heads of the respective foreign Commissions.
The Bureau of Horticulture was established in early 1875. One of the major buildings of the Exhibition, Horticultural Hall, a large greenhouse and conservatory, was already planned to be one of the permanent memorials of the Centennial. The Bureau was responsible for the exhibits within this Hall as well as the landscaping of a 20-acre site around it. There are no records surviving from this bureau.
The Bureau of Installation was created by resolution of the Executive Committee of the United States Centennial Commission on January 14, 1875 and officially announced by the Director-General in March 1875. The special duties given to the Bureau were the classification and distribution to the other Bureaus of all applications for space in the American departments of the Exhibition, the general installation of foreign countries within the Main Building, the installation in detail of the American Department, Main Building, including allotment of space to American exhibitors, the superintendence of the Main Building during the period of the Exhibition, the general supervision of special structures.
The Bureau of Machinery was organized on March 1, 1875. It was originally charged with the responsibility of allotting space to exhibitors and maintenance of the Machinery Building. Subsequently, it took charge of additional buildings surrounding the Machinery Building, including those of many privately-erected structures, including the Shoe and Leather Building, the Nevada Quartz-Mill, the Glass Factory, the Printing Press Building, the Paint Building, the Ross Saw-Mill, the Chilean Building and others.
The functions of the Medical Department were to supply medical and surgical assistance within the Exhibition grounds; to advise with reference to sanitary questions; and to issue in authoritative form such information on the sanitary condition of Philadelphia and of the Exhibition as might be desirable. The important subjects of the drainage and water supply of the Exhibition grounds were placed entirely under the control of the Chief Engineer of the grounds.
The Medical Department was organized in the early part of 1876, by the appointment of a Medical Director, a staff composed of six medical officers, and a secretary, who was also the Resident Physician at the Hospital in the Exhibition grounds.
The duties of administration assigned to the Bureau of Transportation at the date of its organization on 1 April 1875 principally concerned the transportation of goods and visitors, both foreign and American, local transportation, warehousing, and customs regulations. In addition, it was responsible for transportation to the Exhibition grounds and within the grounds. The Bureau also arranged, along with the Centennial Lodging-House Agency, to have a number of new hotels erected and to canvass Philadelphia home-owners who would be willing to let visitors use spare rooms in private houses.
The Department of Water Supply was created to provide an adequate water supply to the Exhibition grounds which would not adversely impact the operations of the regular city service. A new waterworks, including an engine house, stand-pipe and supply mains, was commenced on June 18, 1875 and completed two days before the opening of the Exhibition.
The Women's Centennial Executive Committee was organized initially as an auxiliary committee to assist chiefly in the collection of funds, prior to the creation of the Centennial Board of Finance. The initial organization occurred on February 16,1873. The Executive Committee formally recognized the existence of this Committee on February 24, 1873 and full Commission followed with its formal recognition on 7 May 1873. The work of the Women's Committee was summarized by the Director-General as consisting of obtaining subscriptions to the stock of the Centennial Board of Finance, procuring signatures to memorials praying the Legislature of Pennsylvania and City Councils of Philadelphia to make the appropriations towards the erection of the Exhibition buildings, creating the Women's Pavilion, a special exhibition of women's work, apart from the other displays (The costs of this Pavilion were raised solely by this Committee.), funding the music at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Exhibition, publishing a weekly newspaper and several books devoted to patriotic themes, and erecting a school-house next to the Women's Pavilion, where a kindergarten was carried on throughout the Exhibition.
The Bureau of Revenue was organized in 1874 with John Wanamaker as president. According to their rules and regulations, as adopted on 25 Jun 1874,
The object of this Bureau shall be to raise revenue through a system of compensation to agents, and to this end, there shall be organized in each State and Territory, such auxiliaries to the Bureau of Revenue, as may be deemed expedient, to aid in the sale of Stock and Medals, and, to be composed of any number of earnest friends of the Centennial cause, who may be willing to give their services free of charge.
The Bureau had several committees to assist them in their work, principally a Committee on Medals.
The Committee on Grounds, Plans & Buildings was one of the permanent committees of the Board of Finance. The Chief Engineer of the Grounds reported to the Committee on a monthly basis. This committee was responsible for awarding contracts for various projects on the grounds. For similar records relating to the actual work done on the grounds, see Record Sub-Group 230-23, Department of the Engineer of the Centennial Grounds. For similar records relating to the initial plans and architectural competitions for the Exhibition, see Record Sub-Group 230-6, Committee on Plans and Architecture
The records of the United States Centennial Commission comprise two records groups at the Philadelphia City Archives. Record Group 230 contains the records of the United States Centennial Commission, and Record Group 231 contains the records of the Centennial Board of Finance. Together these comprise the City Archive’s holding on the Centennial Exhibition.
The collection is arranged into three series, one for Record Group 230, one for Record Group 231 and a third one for a collection of scrapbooks assembled by J. C. Foulkrod, Bookkeeper. Within each series, the records are arranged according to the different committees with record sub-group numbers. Each file is labeled with the Committee’s sub-group number. Each sub-group has its own Scope and Content note entered under the first file relating to that committee.
They are arranged by the record sub-group number they were assigned. The following is an alphabetical list of the committees and their corresponding record group numbers:
Executive Departments of the United States International Exhibition under the Centennial Commission (Record Group 230):
Admissions can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-20.
Agriculture can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-21.
Awards can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-22.
Centennial Guard (Bureau of Protection) can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-30.
Engineering can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-23.
Fine Arts can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-24.
Fire (Department of Protection) can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-30.
Foreign can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-25.
Installation can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-27 (Note: Many of the records reside in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.)
Machinery can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-28.
Publications can be found in Bureau of Classification and Catalogue) Record Sub-Group 230-10.
Transportation can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-32.
Women's Exhibition can be found in Record Sub-Group 230-8.
Centennial Board of Finance (Record Group 231):
Board of Directors Record Sub-Group 231-1.
Bureau of Revenue Record Sub-Group 231-15.
Centennial Photographic Company can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-25.
Committees under the Centennial Board of Finance:
Committee on Admissions can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-2.
Committee on Board Accommodations for Visitors can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-4.
Committee on Concessions can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-5.
Committee on Finance and Accounts can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-6.
Committee on Grounds, Plans & Buildings can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-7.
Committee on Hotels can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-8.
Committee on Insurance can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-9.
Committee on Music can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-10.
Committee on Printing and Publishing can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-11.
Committee on Revision and Supplies can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-12.
Committee on Stock Certificates can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-13.
Committee on Transportation, Custom Duties, Etc. can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-14.
Private Committees can be found in Record Sub-Group 231-20.
There are no records surviving from the Department of the Water Supply, Bureau of Horticulture, Committee on Board Accommodations for Visitors, Committee on Hotels, Committee on Insurance, and the Committee on Music. Although no records remain from Bureau of Medical Service, for the final report see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The last part of the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 records is a 56-volume scrapbook collection assembled by J. C. Foulkrod, Bookkeeper. The scrapbooks document the Centennial exhibition and its preparation through newspaper clippings. The scrapbooks are organized by date and according to geographic area, or specific topic. Other scrapbooks in the series contain clippings relating to the 1873 Vienna Exhibition, smaller American exhibitions between 1873 and 1876, and Centennial celebrations of the American Revolution.
The current (September 1999) order of the scrapbooks does not reflect the order in which Mr. Foulkrod assembled them. For many years, these scrapbooks were located at the Free Library of Philadelphia which arbitrarily assigned volume numbers to them.
The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- City of Philadelphia, Department of Records, City Archives
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid prepared by Jefferson M. Moak
- Finding Aid Date
- 2010.06.15
- Sponsor
- The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project. Finding aid entered into the Archivists' Toolkit by Garrett Boos and Courtney Smerz.
- Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open for in-house research use.
- Use Restrictions
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Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the City of Philadelphia Department of Records with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.
Collection Inventory
The catalogues and guide books which form part of the collections of the United State Centennial Commission records include the Commission-sanctioned Official Catalogue by John R. Nagle & Company (which appeared in several editions) and the Authorized Visitor's Guide to the Centennial Exhibition by J.B. Lippincott (in English, French, German and Spanish editions). Other guidebooks represented in this collection include the Official Catalogue of the British Section; Catalogue of Products of Michigan; Report of the New Jersey Commissioners on the Centennial Exhibition (1877), and Pennsylvania & the Centennial Exposition (1878). There are also programs of the 99th Anniversary Celebration of July 5, 1875 and many privately printed catalogues, guides, and descriptions of exhibition groups and of national exhibits, as well as the Official Bulletin of the International Exhibition Company from 1877 and 1879. There is no index for these materials. The volumes can be found on Row 27, volumes USCC-9 - USCC-14.
Physical Description6 cubic feet, no index; Boxes A-1499 - A-1504; Shelf: Row 27, vols. USCC-9 - USCC-14
The minutes exist in manuscript form from 1872 to 1875 and in published form as the Journal of the Proceedings of the United States Centennial Commission. The published minutes cover the various sessions held throughout 1872, May 1873, May 1874, April 1876 and January 1879.
The printed volume for 1872 includes seven appendices: the Report of the Executive Committee on December 4, 1872, An address by the United States Centennial Commission to the People of the United States, Report of the Executive Commissioner on December 4, 1872, System of Classification, the Report of the Committee on Tariffs and Transportation, and two additional appendices. This volume is indexed.
The printed volume for 1873 also includes the Report of the Executive Committee, the Report of the Secretary, the Report of the Committee on Plans and Architecture, and the Report of the Committee on By-Laws.
The printed volume for 1874 includes the Reports of the Executive Committee & Secretary, Report on the Classification, Report on the Committee on Conference, a Memorial to Congress, and additional appendices relating to resolutions by the California State Grange of Patrons of Husbandry and the National Grange.
Location: Shelf: Row 27 (volume USCC-1) Box A-1489
Physical Description6.0 Volumes partialy indexed
This series includes the Commissioners' registered correspondence; their report to Congress in 1876; report of the Director-General and reports and correspondence of the Executive Commissioners including those appointed to visit the Vienna, Paris, and London Expositions; By-laws and Membership books, 1872-1874, 1876; organizational rules of the Centennial Board of Finance, 1873; correspondence of the Centennial Commissioners' Secretaries, and from Pennsylvania and other states' Centennial Commissions and state officials; reports of the President, Secretary, Executive Committee, Committee on the Seal, Committee on History, Committee on Final Reports and a report on the buildings and grounds; correspondence and opinions of the Centennial Commission's legal counsel; construction contracts for official buildings, listing contractors' names, materials or labor to be furnished, building specifications, cost, some bearing seal of the Centennial Board of Finance by whom they were negotiated; copies of resolutions of the Commissioners of Fairmount Park and papers concerning transfer of the control of the Exhibition ground from those Commissioners to the Centennial Commission; letters of application and recommendation for employment; petitions received requesting the Exhibition to be open to the public on Sunday, bearing the signature and address of each signer; Centennial Commissioners' expense sheets; lists of newspaper advertising bills paid; and unused business forms including examples of shipping labels, exhibit identification tags, instructional notices, and copies of general regulations.
Location: Boxes A-1490-1493; A-1496-1498. Shelf: Row 29 (USCC-2 - Index to Registered Correspondence)
Physical Description6 volumes, 6 cubic feet, partially indexed
These registers include the names of the Centennial Commissioners, the United States, State and foreign Commissioners and Centennial Commission attaches. Each entry include the name of the person and his Philadelphia address. For Centennial Commissioners, the entries include their home address and signature. For other Commissioners and attaches, their place of duty at the Exhibition site is noted.
Shelf : Row 29 USCC-3 - Register of Centennial Commissioners USCC-4 - Register of United States, State and Foreign Commissioners USCC-5 - Register of Attaches
1.0 volume
1.0 volume
1.0 volume
The entries in these volumes list dates, amounts, payees' names and signatures. The volume for 1876 includes the additional information of the payees' occupation, time worked, rate of pay, and notations that copies of the payrolls were sent to the Centennial Board of Finance.
Shelf: Row 29 (USCC-6) (missing: June 1875-February 1876)
Physical Description2.0 volume
The United States Centennial Commission created the office of the Director-General of the International Exhibition in May 1873. The duties and powers of the Director-General were defined as follows:
The Director-General shall exercise such supervision, direction, and control of the operations of the Centennial Commission as will tend to promote the efficiency of every agency employed, and to this end, on questions of general policy and administration, it shall be his duty, when practicable, to avail himself of the judgment of the Executive Committee and be subject to their direction; but in the absence of said Committee, he shall be authorized and instructed to assume all such executive powers and functions as may be necessary to secure promptness, efficiency, and good faith in every department of his work.
This series includes principally the incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Director-General A. T. Goshorn (1874-1878), Executive Committee Chairman D. J. Morrell (1872-1876) and Executive Committee Secretary B. H. Haines (1872-1874). There are also copies of reports received by the Executive Committee and staff, bills for the Director-General’s expenses, correspondence relating to the medals awarded by the Centennial Commission and the report by the Executive Commissioner to the Executive Committee on 21 January 1873. One cubic foot is devoted the approved applications of the site allocations of the city building, several foreign buildings, many of the privately-operated structures, the Medical Department Building, most of the state buildings and the United States Government Building. These applications bear a number, date, exhibitor’s name, building’s intended use, description and plot plan. Finally, there are numerous petitions requesting that the Exhibition grounds be opened on Sundays.
Location: Boxes A-1495 – A-1498; Shelf: Row 29 (volume USCC-7)
Physical Description10 volumes, 5 cubic feet, partial index
These volumes also include the reports of the Bureaus of Admissions, Agriculture, Art, Awards, Classification & Catalogue, Engineering, Fire, Horticulture, Installation, Machinery, Medical Service, Protection, Telegraphy, Transportation, and Water Supply.
Location: Box A-1494
Physical Description2 volumes, no index
These volumes of the executive Committee and Director General also include the reports of the Bureaus of Admissions, Agriculture, Art, Awards, Classification & Catalogue, Engineering, Fire, Horticulture, Installation, Machinery, Medical Service, Protection, Telegraphy, Transportation, and Water Supply. This material does not have an index.
This includes the subcommittee report on the Fourth of July celebration and the ceremony of transfer of control of the Exhibition lands from the Commissioners of Fairmount Park to the United States Centennial Commission.
Location: Box A-1491
Physical Description1 volume, no index
Includes reports, programs and announcements of the yacht regatta, the rowing regatta and rifle matches sponsored by the United States Centennial Commission. There are also letters acknowledging the receipt of some of the rifle match awards.
Location: Box A-1491
3 folders, no index
Includes correspondence, informational reports, brief histories of churches, private societies, etc.
Location: Box A-1491
Physical Description1 cubic foot, no index
Location: Box A-1505
Physical Description1 volume, no index
This series includes descriptions and plans submitted for Centennial buildings; lists of architects’ names, with indications of plans accepted; building design copyright papers; correspondence from architects; photographs of architects and buildings; and reports.
Location: Box A-1505
Physical Description1 cubic foot, no index
7.0 Volumes
These reports include the Report of the Engineering Department of the United States Army at the International Exhibition of 1876 (1884); Index to the Catalogue of the Ordinance Department (1876); and the following publications of the Medical Department, U.S. Army, all published in 1876: Description of Selected Specimens from the Medical Section of the Army Medical Museum; Description of the Models of Hospital Steam Vessels; Description of the U. S. Army Medical Transport Cart, Model of 1876; Descriptions of Selected Specimens from the Surgical Section . . . Medical Museum; List of Microscopical Preparations.
Location: Box A-1502
Physical Description7 volumes, partial index
The Women's Centennial Executive Committee was organized initially as an auxiliary committee to assist chiefly in the collection of funds, prior to the creation of the Centennial Board of Finance. The initial organization occurred on 16 February 1873. The Executive Committee formally recognized the existence of this Committee on 24 February 1873 and full Commission followed with its formal recognition on 7 May 1873. The work of the Women's Committee was summarized by the Director-General as follows:
1. Obtaining subscriptions to the stock of the Centennial Board of Finance
2. Procurement of signatures to memorials praying the Legislature of Pennsylvania and City Councils of Philadelphia to make the appropriations towards the erection of the Exhibition buildings.
3. Creation of the Women's Pavilion, a special exhibition of women's work, apart from the other displays. The costs of this Pavilion were raised solely by this Committee.
4. Funding the music at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Exhibition.
5. Publication of a weekly newspaper and several books devoted to patriotic themes.
6. Erection of a school-house next to the Women's Pavilion, where a kindergarten was carried on throughout the Exhibition.
These volumes include abstracts of minutes; Officers, Members & By-Laws; Women’s Day, November 7, 1876; Catalogue of Charities Conducted by Women, 1875; and Annual Reports from 1875 to 1877.
Location: Box A-1506
Physical Description6 volumes, no index
According to the Director-General's report, "the importance of disseminating correct information about the Exhibition led to the establishment of the Department of the Press." The Commission provided an office where duly accredited newspaper writers were given desks, stationery and information. This office could accommodate 60 writers at one time and approximately 500 persons connected with American and foreign newspapers registered during the Exhibition.
Each entry within this register lists the name of the correspondent, the journal represented and his or her Philadelphia-area residence. The index in front is organized by the name of the newspaper represented.
Shelf: Row 29 (volume USCC-8)
Physical Description1.0 volume
This collection includes two cubic feet of copies of Leslie's Illustrated and newspapers from all states and territories featuring news or press releases relating to the Centennial Exhibition.
J.C. Foulkrod, bookkeeper of the United States Centennial Commission, assembled the 56-volume scrapbook collection. The collection contains clippings of the Centennial Exhibition and its preparation. The scrapbooks are organized by date and according to geographic area, or specific topic. Single volumes include clippings from Michigan, Louisiana & Nebraska newspapers; Colorado; Virginia; New Jersey, Delaware & Maryland; and Indiana, Illinois, Ohio & Iowa papers. At least two volumes include clippings from Boston papers and three from New York. There are also volumes devoted to European coverage prior to the Centennial; countrywide centennial celebrations and reports of exhibition planning; the Centennial Bill; the Evacuation Day Centennial; the Franklin Institute exhibitions; the Industrial Company of New York; and smaller and foreign expositions, i.e. the Cincinnati Exposition of 1874; the Cincinnati Industrial Exposition of 1875; American and international exhibitions in 1873; the Vienna Exhibition of 1873 and the Chili Exhibition of 1874. There are two volumes of clippings devoted to the Lexington & Concord and Bunker Hill Centennial Celebrations. At least 13 volumes are devoted to the Philadelphia press coverage of the planning and execution of the Centennial.
Shelf: Row 29 (scrapbooks) Rows 31-E/ 32-E (newspaper rolls)
Physical Description56.0 Volumes
For the final report of the Classification and Catalogue, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Bureau of Classification and Catalogue was born in the first days of the United States Centennial Commission, which determined that a classification of the various exhibits was necessary, both for their arrangement in the Exhibition and in their appearance in the Official Catalogue. The Committee designed a system that was both systematic and geographic. As planning for the buildings on the grounds proceeded, it became apparent that the classification system would have to be changed to accommodate five principal buildings, instead of one as originally conceived. The work of the rearrangement of the classification was assigned to the Secretary's Office, which proceeded to create an arrangement of seven departments. The Secretary's Office attempted to adhere as closely as possible to the original plan of the Commission.
The Main Building held the exhibits of three departments: I. Mining and Metallurgy; II. Manufactures; and III. Education and Science. The Art Gallery (now Memorial Hall) was the site of department IV: Art. The fifth department (Machinery) was located in Machinery Hall, while the sixth department (Agriculture) was held in Agricultural Hall. Finally, Horticultural Hall, the other building intended to remain as a permanent memorial to the Exhibition, hosted the various horticultural exhibits of Department VII.
These sheets, organized by building and class, list the exhibitor’s name, address, application number, brief description of the articles to be exhibited, exhibition location and class, and the bureau under whose authority the exhibit falls. There are sheets for the Main Building, Installation, Machinery Department, Agricultural Department, Horticultural Department, Wagon Building and Brewers’ Building.
Location: Boxes A-1521–A-1523
Physical Description3 cubic feet, no index
For the final report of the Department of Admissions, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Department of Admissions was created on 1 December 1875 and oversaw the admission procedures at the Centennial Exhibition. In addition to collecting admission fees and issuing passes to the grounds, the Department was also responsible for the creation of the forms to be used for tickets, passes, and various reports to be filled out by the various turnstile attendants. It had to man 106 entrance gates and 17 wagon gates each day. There were three classes of admissions: Class A, for those who paid; Class B, for complimentary passes; and Class C, for exhibitors, attendants, employees and reporters.
Daily entries list the name of each turnstile inspector, the name of each stile keeper, each keeper's stile and punch numbers; and numbers of persons with complimentary passes, return checks and special press passes and numbers of workmen, guards, firemen, exhibitors and others passing each stile; total count of persons passing each stile, stile court, difference in terms of overage or shortage; and remarks including special groups, bands or dignitaries visiting the Exhibition. Entries for the months of September and October add similar information for the Stock Show. Entries from November 11 to December 17 add daily totals of each category of entrant passing all stiles.
Location: Row 29 (volume USCC-15)
Physical Description1 volume, no index
The records of the Bureau (Department) of Agriculture includes correspondence received by the Bureau of Agriculture from May 1875 to December 1876; correspondence referred to C. H. Roney, Chief Clerk, E. R. Sharswood, Superintendent of Pomology, H. S. Morehead, Superintendent of the Miscellaneous Department, and to C. Lincoln of the Bench Show. There are also catalogues for neat cattle; sheep & goats, swine; horses & dogs; and poultry. In addition, there is a ground plan of the Agricultural Building, descriptive applications of agricultural machinery for field trials, exhibit space applications, Bureau rules, judges’ procedure guides, and Bureau business forms. This material does not have an index.
Physical Description6.0 Volumes
The records of the Bureau (Department) of Agriculture includes minutes of the Special Meeting of the Resident Advisory Committee of the Bureau of Agriculture for 29 May 1875. This material does not have an index.
Physical Description1.0 folder
For the final report of the Bureau of Awards, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
There were many problems experienced with the awards systems at previous international exhibitions, principally those encountered at the English exhibitions of 1851 and 1862 and the French exhibitions of 1855 and 1867. The United States Centennial Commission set up an award system that was largely based upon the reforms agreed upon by the Commissioners-General of France, Great Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, Italy and the United States, following the close of the 1867 Exhibition. A summary of the system was reported in the Final Report of the Director-General.
1. International jury and awards by graduated prize medals were abolished.
2. A body of 250 judges was substituted, each one to be chosen for his qualifications for particular classes of work to be assigned to him.
3. Awards to be based on reports made in writing by the judges setting forth the inherent and comparative merits of each product adjudged, and such reports to be attested by the signatures of their authors.
4. Awards to consist of a diploma signed by the executive officers; a uniform bronze medal or memorial alike for all, and a certified copy of the special report of the judges on the subject of the awards.
The Bureau of Awards was responsible for the judging the various exhibits and the final awards. The judges were appointed by the governments of their respective countries but they became paid members of the Commission staff during the course of their adjudication. The number of judges necessary for each grouping was determined by the Bureau of Awards.
Physical Description1.0 Cubic feet
This series includes outgoing correspondence which concerns chiefly the issuance of awards during the Exhibition. It also includes minutes of meetings of the judges of exhibit group XIV (Heating, Lighting, Ventilation, Water Supply, and Drainage Apparatus) and exhibit group XXV (Instruments of Precision, Research, Experiment, and Illustration, including Telegraphy and Music), 1876. It also lists of judges names, places of origin, and biographical information; lists of exhibitors’ names, type and location of exhibit; selection, organization, and duties of judges; systems of awards; also, informational sheets concerning exhibits for the use of judges, regulations for exhibit tests, description of awards ceremony; lists of awards to national, state and collective exhibits, and in rifle matches, rowing and yacht regattas; and report of the Special Committee on Appeals [from judges’ decisions] of the Centennial Commission.
Location: Boxes A-1507 – A-1508.
Physical Description2.0 Cubic feet no index
There are both manuscript and printed and published judges’ reports on each exhibit; each report lists exhibitor’s name, address, description of exhibit, citation of merits, judges names; catalogue, group and award numbers; manuscript versions bear judges’ signatures; also included are exhibitors’ receipt notices for awards received and some relative correspondence.
Location: Boxes A-1509 – A-1520
Physical Description6 volumes, indexed, 12 cubic feet, no index
This register of the Bureau of Awards lists the date, exhibitor's name, address, exhibit group number, note of whether a diploma or medal was awarded, and some indication of the receipt of the award by the exhibitor. This material is not indexed.
Physical Description1.0 volume
The records of the Department of the Engineer of the Centennial Grounds consists of incoming correspondence concerning the maintenance of the various buildings and recommendations of employment applicants. There are also Exhibition grounds situation plans and topographical maps of Fairmount Park, ground plans, installation plans, and elevations chiefly of the Main Exhibition Building, Machinery Hall, and the Agricultural Building. Other buildings are represented as well. The series also contain specifications for grounds grading, level books showing installation locations of water and gas lines and railroads, and descriptions of lots allocated for erection of private buildings. This material has not been indexed. In addition to the volumes there is also 2 cubic feet of papers.
Physical Description4.0 Volumes
This series consists of incoming correspondence concerning the maintenance of the various buildings and recommendations of employment applicants. There are also Exhibition grounds situation plans and topographical maps of Fairmount Park, ground plans, installation plans, and elevations chiefly of the Main Exhibition Building, Machinery Hall, and the Agricultural Building. Other buildings are represented as well. The series also contain specifications for grounds grading, level books showing installation locations of water and gas lines and railroads, and descriptions of lots allocated for erection of private buildings.
Locations: Box A-1552 and map case.
Physical Description4 volumes, 2 cubic feet, no index
For the final report of the Bureau of Fine Arts, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
Also known as the Bureau of Art, it was formally organized with a Chief of Bureau in September 1875. The Bureau was responsible for three buildings: Memorial Hall (the Art Gallery), the Art Annex and Photographic Hall. The Bureau was aided by several committees, including an Advisory Committee, a Committee on Selection and a Committee on Arrangement. The Committee on Selection was to view American works gathered in Boston, New York and Philadelphia and select those to be exhibited at the Centennial. The Committee on Arrangement, composed principally of professional artists and an architect, was to assist the Bureau in the proper arrangement of the art works. The total number of exhibitors represented at the Centennial Exhibition was 2,472 with 7,147 pieces of art and photography.
The applications list number, date, applicant’s name, address, description of article to be exhibited, dimensions of space desired. These applications are all indexed by the name of the exhibitor, type of exhibit and exhibit number. There is also some relevant Bureau correspondence, printed regulations concerning transportation and display of exhibits, and blank permit forms. In addition, there is a list of the statuary located on the grounds of the Exhibition.
Location: Box A-1524
Physical Description1 cubic foot, partial index
The entries in this volume list the artist’s name, name of the work, exhibition catalogue number and the exhibit class number.
Location: Box A-1524
Physical Description1 volume, index
For supplies received from the Committee on Revision and Supplies, each entry list the requisition number, date, article and quantity received, and the signature of the Chief of the Bureau.
Physical Description1.0 volume 1 volume, no index
Entries within this ledger list the catalogue number, date, item removed and signature of claimant. This material does not have an index.
Physical Description1 volume, no index
At its first session, the Commission created a Committee on Foreign Affairs, charged with the duty of securing the participation of foreign governments in the Exhibition. On 3 July 1873, the President of the United States issued a proclamation announcing the Exhibition, which foreign governments did not construe to be an invitation. Subsequently, on 5 June 1874, an Act of Congress was passed requesting the President to extend, in the name of the United States, a respectful and cordial invitation to foreign governments to participate. This the President did, through the offices of the Department of State.
In accordance with the general regulations of the Commission, no communication was held directly between the Centennial Commission and the individual foreign exhibitors. Instead, all matters relating to the exhibits and space allotments were handled by the Director-General and the heads of the respective foreign Commissions. For the register of foreign commissioners, see Record Series 230-1.3, Registers of Centennial Commissioners
Physical Description1.0 Cubic feet
Includes correspondence sent and received, chiefly with foreign commissioners; also included are catalogues, publications, statistic sheets, drawings regarding foreign exhibits, reports to Parliament on the Centennial Exhibition and Moscow Polytechnic Exhibition; London Times account of the Centennial Commission’s projected plans; and copies of the proclamation of the Centennial Commission and Centennial Board of Finance expressing gratitude for Great Britain’s participation.
Location: Box A-1525 – A-1527
Physical Description3 cubic feet, partial index
Official lists of Foreign Commissioners accredited to the Exhibition. These lists include their names, titles, nations represented, and U.S. addresses.
Location: Box A-1527
Physical Description1.0 volume
For the final report of the Bureau of Horticulture, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Bureau of Horticulture was established in early 1875. One of the major buildings of the Exhibition, Horticultural Hall, a large greenhouse and conservatory, was already planned to be one of the permanent memorials of the Centennial. The Bureau was responsible for the exhibits within this Hall as well as the landscaping of a 20-acre site around it.
There are no records surviving from this bureau.
For the final report of the Bureau of Installation, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Bureau of Installation was created by resolution of the Executive Committee of the United States Centennial Commission on 14 January 1875 and officially announced by the Director-General in March 1875. The special duties given to the Bureau were:
1. The classification and distribution to the other Bureaus of all applications for space in the American departments of the Exhibition.
2. The general installation of foreign countries within the Main Building.
3. The installation in detail of the American Department, Main Building, including allotment of space to American exhibitors.
4. The superintendence of the Main Building during the period of the Exhibition.
5. The general supervision of special structures.
Note: Many of the records of this Bureau reside in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.
Includes incoming correspondence only along with applications for space. Also included is the ground plan of the Main Exhibition Building (3rd & 4th editions), and samples of the blank forms used by the Bureau.
Location: Box A-1506
Physical Description1 cubic foot, no index
For the final report of the Bureau of Machinery, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Bureau of Machinery was organized on 1 March 1875. It was originally charged with the responsibility of allotting space to exhibitors and maintenance of the Machinery Building. Subsequently, it took charge of additional buildings surrounding the Machinery Building, including those of many privately-erected structures, including the Shoe and Leather Building, the Nevada Quartz-Mill, the Glass Factory, the Printing Press Building, the Paint Building, the Ross Saw-Mill, the Chilean Building and others.
Correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, chiefly concerning the exhibits in Machinery Hall and the Shoe & Leather Building; applications for space in both buildings list number, exhibitor’s name and address, description of article to be exhibited (often with photograph or drawing or article), required space dimensions and location, exhibit group and class numbers; printed location list of exhibitors, showing names, addresses and location by site numbers; permits and passes issued by Bureau to contractors, exhibitors, Bureau personnel bearing name, date, permit or pass number; those issued to exhibitors also show locations and floor plans of their exhibits and, in some cases, exhibitors’ signatures and home addresses; alphabetical lists of Bureau personnel listing names and positions of each, and a Bureau payroll book (1876?) containing same data to which is added the rates of pay; Bureau chief’s bank book with Centennial National Bank for his account “for exhibitors of water wheel.”
Location: Boxes A-1528 – A-1533; Row 27 (volumes USCC-17 - USCC-22)
Physical Description19 volumes, 2 cubic feet, partial index
This series includes drawings, elevations, floor plans, installation plans of Machinery Hall and Annexes, Shoe & Leather Building, Saw Mill and Boiler House; contractors’ construction proposals and estimates; requirements of power supply (steam, gas, water, or number of pulleys and belts) for each exhibit; record of daily amounts of coal consumed in Boiler House; printed schedules of machine shop prices, foundation construction regulations, rules and information for exhibitors.
Location: Box A-1534
Physical Description6 volumes, 1 cubic foot, no index
The functions of the Medical Department were to supply medical and surgical assistance within the Exhibition grounds; to advise with reference to sanitary questions; and to issue in authoritative form such information on the sanitary condition of Philadelphia and of the Exhibition as might be desirable. The important subjects of the drainage and water supply of the Exhibition grounds were placed entirely under the control of the Chief Engineer of the grounds. The Medical Department was organized in the early part of 1876, by the appointment of a Medical Director, a staff composed of six medical officers, and a secretary, who was also the Resident Physician at the Hospital in the Exhibition grounds.
For the final report of the Bureau of Medical Service, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
For the final report of the Centennial Guard, the Centennial Police Force of the Philadelphia Police Department and the Centennial Fire Department, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Bureau of Protection consisted of the Centennial Guard and the Fire Patrol. Initially, the Commission hoped that the United States Government would detail a sufficient force from the regular army for guard duty. As this hope failed, the Commission organized a regiment of a thousand men, including officers, which would be recruited and equipped for the purposes of security on the grounds. Eventually, the Guard recruited a total of 1409 men to serve. On any given day, over 550 men would be on duty. The Bureau of Protection also oversaw the Centennial Fire Department, organized on 5 February 1876. In addition to two fire houses on the grounds, firemen were stationed at various buildings throughout the Exhibition in case of alarm.
Includes incoming and ongoing correspondence which chiefly concerns violations of regulations on the Exhibition grounds, and supplies required or received; also included are lists of Centennial Guard personnel, copies of Guard and Bureau personnel rules and regulations; daily Guard reports of men on duty, absent, daily events, offenses on grounds (1875), receipts for lost goods, and sample search warrant.
Location: Box A-1506
Physical Description1 cubic foot, no index
The records of the Bureau of Protection includes incoming and ongoing correspondence which chiefly concerns violations of regulations on the Exhibition grounds, and supplies required or received; also included are lists of Centennial Guard personnel, copies of Guard and Bureau personnel rules and regulations; daily Guard reports of men on duty, absent, daily events, offenses on grounds (1875), receipts for lost goods, and sample search warrant. This material does not have an index.
Physical Description1.0 Cubic feet
For the final report of the Bureau of Telegraphy, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Bureau of Telegraphy was responsible for the installation of telegraph lines between the offices of the Philadelphia Police & Fire Alarm Telegraph, Centennial Commission, the Centennial Board of Finance and the Exhibition grounds, which was started in 1873. During 1876, the Bureau of Telegraphy was responsible for the installation of many lines throughout the grounds in order to quicken communications.
There are no records surviving from this Bureau.
For the final report of the Bureau of Transportation, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The duties of administration assigned to the Bureau of Transportation at the date of its organization on 1 April 1875 principally concerned the transportation of goods and visitors, both foreign and American, local transportation, warehousing, and customs regulations. In addition, it was responsible for transportation to the Exhibition grounds and within the grounds. The Bureau also arranged, along with the Centennial Lodging-House Agency, to have a number of new hotels erected and to canvass Philadelphia home-owners who would be willing to let visitors use spare rooms in private houses.
6 volumes, 1 cubic foot, partial index
For the final report of the Department of Water Supply, see Record Series 230-2.1, Final Report of the Director-General.
The Department of Water Supply was created to provide an adequate water supply to the Exhibition grounds which would not adversely impact the operations of the regular city service. A new waterworks, including an engine house, stand-pipe and supply mains, was commenced on 18 June 1875 and completed two days before the opening of the Exhibition.
There are no records surviving from this department.
The Centennial Board of Finance was created as an incorporated body by an Act of Congress of 1 June 1872 at the direct request of the United States Centennial Commission. The Board was composed of 749 Corporators named in the Act who, along with holders of the stock issued by the Board, annually chose twenty-five "Directors of the Board of Finance" who thereafter exercised the Board's duties. Nominees for these seats were chosen by the Centennial Commission. The Director's functions consisted primarily of the raising of funds through the sale of stock (governmental donations including $ 575,000 from the City of Philadelphia, $ 1,000,000 from the State of Pennsylvania and a loan of $ 1.5 million from the Federal government), and the construction and maintenance of the buildings and grounds subject to the general approval of the Centennial Commission. The accounts of the Board of Finance were audited and accepted by the Centennial Commission in January 1879 although contents of several record series listed within this group indicate that the Board was engaged in settling its affairs as least through 1881.
The Centennial Board of Finance had a number of standing committees to assist them with the work of financing the Exhibition, its buildings and grounds. These were:
Committee on Finance and Accounts
Committee on Grounds, Plans, & Buildings
Committee on Concessions
Committee of Revision and Supplies
Committee on Transportation, Custom Duties, etc.
Committee on Insurance
Committee on Admissions
Committee on Printing and Publishing
Committee on Music
Committee on Hotels
Committee on Boarding Accommodations for Visitors
Many of these committees worked closely with and oversaw the work of many of the executive departments of the United States Centennial Commission. As a result, the records of many of the activities may be found in both record groups.
Minutes of the Board's organizational meeting
Location: Box A-1536
Physical Description1 folder, no index
Includes lists of nominees for offices of Directors of Centennial Board of Finance selected by the Centennial Commission 1872, 1874, 1876; election judges' returns 1873; Corporators' proxies 1873, 1874; ticket of proposed candidates, undated.
Location: Box A-1536
Physical Description1.0 Cubic feet no index
Materials from April 1876 to April 1879 consist of the rough minutes only.
Location: Box A-1537
Physical Description1.0 Cubic feet
2.0 Volumes
Includes correspondence concerning official buildings' construction and grounds preparation, employment applications, and railroads' participation in the Exhibition; memorials to Congress concerning Centennial financial affairs, including a request that funds of the federal appropriation of $1,500,000 of 1876 be distributed among stockholders rather than repaid to government; ms. and printed forms of Boards of Finance's published statements recounting receipts, expenditures, current financial states, and estimated future receipts and expenditures; treasurer's report to Directors, as approved by Committee on Finance and Accounts, entries in which list balances as of dates and expenditures, warrant numbers, dates, amounts; treasurer's report to Director-General of Executive Committee of Centennial Commission; reports of Press Committee, Committee on Tickets and Admissions, Committee on Grounds, Plans, and Buildings; contracts for construction of official buildings, for grading, draining, paving of grounds, and for restoration of them for park purposes after Exhibition, listing contractors' name, material or service supplied, building specifications, costs; construction progress reports and drawings; plan of Centennial grounds and buildings; printed and ms. opinions of Director's legal counsel concerning relative powers and duties of Board of Finance and the Centennial Commission, the distribution of the Board's assets, and advice in suits in which Board was involved; copies of Board's resolutions excerpted from their Minutes; papers and vouchers of distribution of federally-appropriated funds; insurance policies and premium books; papers and catalogues of public auctions of Centennial buildings and unclaimed articles; contracts with printing companies; papers re: dividend payments to Pennsylvania Railroad and Jay Cooke and Co.; register of messages sent and received on Centennial Telegraph; contract bid advertisements and records of their placements in newspapers; samples of Board's business forms and certificates.
Location: Boxes A-1536, A-1538; Row 27 (volumes USCC-23 & USCC-24)
Physical DescriptionBoxes A-1536, A-1538, A-1551, A-1552; Row 27 (volumes USCC-23 & USCC-24)
Includes balance sheets, account books, bills, vouchers of accounts of Centennial Commission with Board of Finance; account records of Board's Department of Admissions; Board's bank account books and warrants for expenditures from those accounts; payrolls listing Board of Finance and Centennial Commission personnel's names, positions, home addresses, rates of pay, time worked, amounts of salaries due, payees' and witnesses' signatures, also include those for personnel of Collector of Customs of Port of Philadelphia assigned to duty at Exhibition grounds which bear his signature also; some correspondence related to payroll matters; daily and weekly time sheets of (chiefly) laborers and personnel of Bureau of Awards listing their names and those of foremen and assistants, dates, numbers engaged on specific projects, amount of time spent upon each, salary rates, total costs, workers suspended; records of water assessments indicating amounts of water used in each building, charges, bills from and payments to Centennial Water Department, dates, amounts; bills, warrants, cancelled checks, payment receipts varying in form but listing dates, creditors' and payees' names, amounts due or paid, reasons for payment which include materials or services purchased, cash awards, final distribution of assets; auditors' account books, balance sheets, reports and statements.
Location: Boxes A-1539- A-1547; A-1551 – A-1552
Physical Description25 volumes, 6 cubic feet, no index
Accounts of disbursals for Fourth of July celebration; entries list dates, amounts, payee names.
Location: Box A-1548
Physical Description1.0 volume
Includes report of monies collected on concession percentages; copies of committee's rules and regulations; sample permits for sale of articles manufactures at Exhibition.
Location: Box A-1548
Physical Description1.0 Cubic feet no index
The records of the Committee on Finance and Accounts include verification of committee's balances in banks as of June 1, 1874. This material does not have an index.
Physical Description1.0 folder
This is one of the permanent committees of the Board of Finance. The Chief Engineer of the Grounds reported to the Committee on a monthly basis. This committee was responsible for awarding contracts for various projects on the grounds. For similar records relating to the actual work done on the grounds, see Record Sub-Group 230-23, Department of the Engineer of the Centennial Grounds. For similar records relating to the initial plans and architectural competitions for the Exhibition, see Record Sub-Group 230-6, Committee on Plans and Architecture
Includes incoming and outgoing correspondence, which chiefly concerns construction and police matters. Specific categories in this group include construction proposals and contracts listing contractors’ names, material or labor to be furnished, costs, building specifications; reports on construction inspections and progress; papers concerning disputes with contractors; progress reports from the office of the Architect and Engineer; requests for building repairs or improvements; and a register of applications for employment listing applicant’s name and address, date of application, name of person recommending applicant, dates of employment and discharge, and department where employed.
Location: Boxes A-1548 – A-1549; Row 27 (volume USCC-26)
Physical Description2 cubic feet, no index
The records of the Committee on Grounds, Plans, Buildings includes incoming and outgoing correspondence, which chiefly concerns construction and police matters. Specific categories in this group include construction proposals and contracts listing contractors’ names, material or labor to be furnished, costs, building specifications; reports on construction inspections and progress; papers concerning disputes with contractors; progress reports from the office of the Architect and Engineer; requests for building repairs or improvements; and a register of applications for employment listing applicant’s name and address, date of application, name of person recommending applicant, dates of employment and discharge, and department where employed. This material does not have an index.
Physical Description2.0 Cubic feet
This is one of the permanent committees of the Board of Finance. There are no extant records of this Committee. The executive department associated with this committee is the Bureau of Transportation, Record Sub-Group 230-32.
This is one of the permanent committees of the Board of Finance. There are no extant records of this Committee.
This is one of the permanent committees of the Board of Finance. There are no extant records of this Committee. The Women’s Centennial Executive Committee (Record Sub-Group 230-8) raised funds for some of the musical events.
This is one of the permanent committees of the Board of Finance.
Physical Description1.0 folder
This series includes incoming correspondence primarily about newspaper advertising, copies of general orders, circulars, announcements of all agencies of Centennial Commission and Board of Finance.
Location: Box A-1548
Physical Description1 volume, 1 folder, no index
This is one of the permanent committees of the Board of Finance.
Physical Description1.0 folder
This series also includes the statement of the Committee’s powers and duties.
Locations: A-1548
Physical Description1 folder, no index
Correspondence chiefly concerning the acquisition of supplies and equipment and disposal of excess at the end of the Exhibition. The series also includes inventories of articles and quantities of equipment in the Main Exhibition Building, Supply Department, and Centennial Water Works after the close of the Exhibition; monthly statements from each Exhibition office of articles and values received from the Committee; supply receiving reports listing dates, articles, and quantities received, suppliers’ name, price, requisition numbers, office for which ordered; lists of employees returning uniforms containing names and positions; samples of Committee forms.
Location: Box A-1548
Physical Description1 cubic foot, no index
This part of the records of the Committee on Revision and Supplies includes correspondence chiefly concerning the acquisition of supplies and equipment and disposal of excess at the end of the Exhibition. The series also includes inventories of articles and quantities of equipment in the Main Exhibition Building, Supply Department, and Centennial Water Works after the close of the Exhibition; monthly statements from each Exhibition office of articles and values received from the Committee; supply receiving reports listing dates, articles, and quantities received, suppliers’ name, price, requisition numbers, office for which ordered; lists of employees returning uniforms containing names and positions; samples of Committee forms. This material does not have an index.
Physical Description1.0 Cubic feet
This is one of the special committees of the Board.
Physical Description1.0 folder
Letters from the U.S. Treasury Department concerning the engraving of the certificates.
Location: Box A-1548
Physical Description1 folder, no index
This is one of the permanent committee of the Board of Finance. The executive department associated with this committee is the Bureau of Transportation, Record Sub-Group 230-32.
Physical Description3.0 folder
Includes bills from Centennial Terminal Agency, Ltd.; lists of payments made to that Agency each entry of which shows dates, amounts, weights of shipments, rates charged, signatures of Transportation Committee chairman and auditor of Terminal Agency; returns of Terminal Agency charges refunded lists dates, amounts.
Location: Box A-1548
Physical Description3 folders, no index
The Bureau of Revenue was organized in 1874 with John Wanamaker as president. According to their rules and regulations, as adopted on 25 Jun 1874,
“The object of this Bureau shall be to raise revenue through a system of compensation to agents, and to this end, there shall be organized in each State and Territory, such auxiliaries to the Bureau of Revenue, as may be deemed expedient, to aid in the sale of Stock and Medals, and, to be composed of any number of earnest friends of the Centennial cause, who may be willing to give their services free of charge.”
The Bureau had several committees to assist them in their work, principally a Committee on Medals.
Location: Row 27 (volume USCC-27)
Physical Description1.0 volume 1 volume, no index
Incoming and outgoing correspondence chiefly concerning stock subscriptions and general financing of Exhibition; records of sub-committees formed to seek stock subscriptions from specialized groups or geographical areas include names of committee members, lists of subscribers and of those individuals or companies unsuccessfully solicited, receipts for stock certificates, agents’ contracts, list of agents and canvassers by states, cash receipts statements, instructions to canvassers, records of subscription books’ distributions, progress reports, population data on state and county levels compiled from 1870 census for canvassers’ guidance; sales reports of Bureau’s Medal Department listing dates, amounts received, sellers’ names and commissions for sales of Exhibition Souvenir Medals.
Location: Boxes A-1550, A-1552
Physical Description2 volumes, 1 cubic foot, no index
The records of the Private Committees consist of records of citizens’ groups formed prior to or in support of Bureau of Finance; includes minutes of the Executive Committee of the Citizens’ Centennial Committee, 1873-1875; minutes of the Sub-Committee to Solicit Subscriptions to the Board of Finance, 1872 (?) – 1873; minutes of the Committee of Capitalists, 1875, and that committee’s correspondence, memoranda, lists of subscribers’ names and amounts of their subscriptions, and names of persons unsuccessfully solicited or still to be solicited. This material is not indexed.
Records of citizens’ groups formed prior to or in support of Bureau of Finance; includes minutes of the Executive Committee of the Citizens’ Centennial Committee, 1873-1875; minutes of the Sub-Committee to Solicit Subscriptions to the Board of Finance, 1872 (?) – 1873; minutes of the Committee of Capitalists, 1875, and that committee’s correspondence, memoranda, lists of subscribers’ names and amounts of their subscriptions, and names of persons unsuccessfully solicited or still to be solicited.
Physical Description6 volumes, 1 cubic foot, no index
1.0 Cubic feet
This company was a concessionaire of the Board of Finance. Subjects covered in the photographs include Centennial grounds, construction and buildings; also included is a photocopy of the Company’s Catalogue of all photographs taken, which indicates a total of 2820 shots.
Location: Boxes A-1489, A-1552
Physical Description1 cubic foot, no index
The 56-volume scrapbook collection assembled by J. C. Foulkrod, Bookkeeper, contains newspaper clippings of the Centennial exhibition and its preparation. The scrapbooks are organized by date and according to geographic area, or specific topic. Other scrapbooks in the series contain clippings relating to the 1873 Vienna Exhibition, smaller American exhibitions between 1873 and 1876, and Centennial celebrations of the American Revolution.
The current (September 1999) order of the scrapbooks does not reflect the order in which Mr. Foulkrod assembled them. For many years, these scrapbooks were located at the Free Library of Philadelphia which arbitrarily assigned volume numbers to them.