New York at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis 1904 / Report of the New York State Commission

by DeLancey M. Ellis

THE SITE

The building stood on the brow of a hill, the land sloping off gently to the north, and faced upon a broad plaza, through which ran one of the most frequented highways within the grounds, known as Commonwealth avenue. For its neighbors were the buildings of Kansas, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, Wisconsin and Oklahoma, while westward, at the foot of the hill, was located the great cage erected by the United States government, which held the exhibit of live birds from the Smithsonian Institute.

To no state, with the possible exception of Missouri, the home state, was so large a site assigned as to New York. Its extent, the undulating character of the grounds, and the presence of many beautiful, stately trees, afforded countless opportunities for landscape effects. From the opening day the grounds presented a charming appearance, the well-kept lawns giving place here and there to large beds of nasturtiums, poppies, cannae, and rhododendrons, while at the lowest point on the grounds, near the northeast corner, was located a lily pond. It was filled with the choicest aquatic plants of every variety, which were furnished through the courtesy of Shaw's Gardens and the Missouri Botanical Society. During the season many beautiful bouquets of varicolored blossoms were gathered and its surface was almost entirely covered by odd shaped leaves from which peeped here and there the buds of pond lilies.

TRANSFER OF SITE TO THE STATE

The site was formally turned over to the Commission on October 1, 1902, and was received by a committee appointed by the president, consisting, of Commissioners John K. Stewart, John C. Woodbury and James H. Callanan. The ceremony took place in the presence of Honorable David R. Francis, president of the Exposition Company, the Director of Works, and other Exposition officials, the committee of the New York State Commission and invited guests.

The exercises were brief but impressive. President Francis spoke as follows:

REMARKS OF PRESIDENT FRANCIS

"A universal exposition, either in the United States or elsewhere, would be incomplete if the Empire State of the American Union were not represented. This site has been selected for the great State of New York, and upon this location we trust there will be erected a structure which will be in keeping with the glorious record New York and her sons have made from the beginning of this country. New York needs no encomium from me, none in fact from her sons. She speaks for herself. The Director of Works will present to the chairman of the New York Commission the site for the building of the State of New York."

Honorable Isaac S. Taylor, Director of Works, then formally presented the site to the Commission, handing to Commissioner John K. Stewart a handsome banner of purple silk, upon which was painted the coat of arms of the State of New York. Driving the staff in the ground, thus marking the site, Commissioner Stewart said:

REMARKS OF COMMISSIONER STEWART

"Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Commission: In behalf of New York
State I receive this emblem. We shall erect here a building suitable for
the great Empire State of New York. I wish to introduce to you Honorable
James H. Callanan, of Schenectady, who will respond in behalf of the
Commission."

Commissioner James H. Callanan then made the following address:

ADDRESS OF COMMISSIONER CALLANAN

"In behalf of the Commission representing the Commonwealth of New York, I take pleasure in accepting the site allotted for the Empire State's building at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. With this acceptance I beg you to receive the assurance from our Commission that New York will do her share to make the Exposition an unquestioned success. Upon this site we expect to erect a handsome and commodious structure where New Yorkers may meet one another during the Exposition, and where they may welcome their fellow citizens from every section of our common country. New York is also desirous of having exhibited here upon these spacious grounds the evidences of her prestige in the domain of manufacture, of commerce, of agriculture, of science and of art.

"The American people are progressive. The indomitable courage and ambition of the American knows no cessation of effort, no lagging behind. The expositions held in our country have celebrated great epochs of our advancement, and they will be pointed out to future generations as evidences of the onward march of a people unparalleled in the history of the human race.

"To these great achievements of a mighty people it is impossible to estimate the share contributed by the sturdy pioneers and their descendants of this vast tract of country, the cession of which more than doubled the area of our country a century ago. What great states have been carved out of this territory! What wonderful wealth of resources have been brought forth here! What a splendid citizenship has been established in this vast region! New York rejoices with you in the giant strides made by this newer section of our country.

"It certainly is most appropriate at this time when the republic is reaching out as a world power that we should celebrate the anniversary of the first great chapter in the history of our national expansion. Time has proven that Jefferson and his compeers built greater than they knew, for by that acquisition of territory there was developed a spirit of national progress that did not cease even when we first learned to know no superior among the nations of the earth.

"Representatives of half a dozen different nations met in the smoking room of an ocean liner sometime ago. It was suggested that each nation be toasted. An Englishman paid a glowing tribute to his country. A Frenchman lauded his nation and a Russian eulogized the land of the Czar. Then an American arose and said: 'Here is to the United States, bounded on the north by the North Pole, on the east by the rising sun, on the south by the South Pole, and on the west by the setting sun.' As he finished another American present requested that he be permitted to attempt an improvement on the toast given by his countryman, which request was granted. He then toasted the United States in this fashion: 'Here's to the United States, bounded on the north by the Aurora Borealis, on the east by infinite chaos, on the south by the procession of the Equinoxes, and on the west by the day of judgment.' This indeed is extravagant language, but that fellow possessed the American spirit which recognizes no limit to the possibilities of our future.

"I recognize that this is no occasion for state boasting. Each state, territory and American possession is unselfishly interested in the success of this Exposition. However, in connection with what New York is expected to do for this grand enterprise, you will pardon, I know, this very brief reference I make to New York's supremacy in population, in wealth, in manufactures and in commerce. I think it less than twenty years ago that New York was ahead in agricultural productions, too. Agricultural supremacy has been tending westward for nearly a half century, however, and we cheerfully surrender to your broad prairies. Iowa, Ohio and Illinois now outrank us in farm industry, the first once a part of the Louisiana tract and the other two cut from the Northwest Territory.

"An Eastern farmer on his first visit to the west asked his Western brother how it was that 'he could plow such straight furrows over such enormous fields.' 'That's easy,' said the native, 'we follow the parallels of latitude and the meridians of longitude.' That reply was significant. It demonstrates quite fully where agriculture is king in the United States.

"The end of the great strides that you are making here in the west is not in sight. Some day your population will be as dense as ours. Slowly, but steadily, the center of population is creeping westward and by another decade or so it will most likely cross the great Father of Waters and move across the land which Jefferson's genius gave to the republic. New York will be more powerful by reason of your greatness. Your increasing productions will contribute to our commercial prestige more and more as the years roll on to make our metropolis continue to be the greatest seaport on this continent for all time.

"We share your glory in more ways than this, too. Many of the sturdy men and women who have settled within the confines of this great region were native New Yorkers. Our blood has been mingled with yours and our children are first cousins of yours. New York gave to you because she could spare and you accepted of us because you wanted the best you could find.

"New York then bids the people of this section All Hail! We are with you heart and soul to make the Exposition a magnificent success. New York has never failed when a patriotic effort was demanded and as ever before she will now respond with enthusiasm and will do everything possible here to sustain her imperial position.

"Let us hope that the Exposition will accomplish all that is intended. Let our prayer be that all Americans who pass within the gates when all shall be made ready for the opening of this Exposition in 1904, will cherish a higher ambition and a greater love of country and be impelled to declare with the poet, that

"'There is a land of every land the pride,
Beloved of Heaven, o'er all the world beside,
where brighter suns dispense serener light,
And milder moons imparadise the night.
Oh, thou shalt find howe'er thy footsteps roam,
That land thy country and that spot thy home.'"

At the conclusion of Commissioner Callanan's remarks the assemblage dispersed.

DEDICATION OF THE SITE

The site was formally dedicated at the time of the formal dedication ceremonies of the Exposition, the special ceremonies being held directly after the general exercises held in observance of State Day, on May 2, 1903. There were present Governor and Mrs. Odell, the Governor's staff, a joint committee of the Legislature, Exposition officials, members of the State Commission and invited guests.

Having assembled upon the site, William Berri, Vice-President of the
Commission, addressed Governor Odell as follows:

ADDRESS BY VICE-PRESIDENT BERRI

"Governor Odell: It gives the New York State Commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition very great pleasure to have you present here to-day to participate in the simple exercises authorized by the Commission connected with the beginning of the work of construction of the New York State building which is to be erected upon this site. A more desirable grant of space on the Plateau of States could not have been made for us by the management of this Exposition, and we hope to place here a building that will add dignity to the location and worthily represent the State of New York in architectural beauty and practical usefulness. Your commission has been fortunate in securing for the architect Mr. Clarence Luce, and the plans and drawings which we have decided upon from his hand give promise of a structure that the State we represent will be proud of, and we shall also endeavor to so furnish it and utilize its facilities as to make it a serviceable and attractive addition to the large number of State buildings that are to be erected in its vicinity.

"Everything has to have a beginning, so we are here to-day to begin our work of actual construction, and it is specially fitting that we should have present the Governor of New York to assist in the ceremonies attendant therewith, for he has always heartily supported the project of the St. Louis Exposition and has furthered its interests on every occasion. Therefore, on behalf of the New York State Commission, I ask you, Governor Odell, to honor the great World's Fair of 1904 by performing the first actual work upon the structure we propose to erect by turning the first spadeful of earth for the State of New York and the New York State building."

The Governor responded briefly, commending the Commission for its work, predicting wonderful benefits to accrue from the Exposition and prophesying that New York would be at the forefront in all of its departments, after which he lifted the first spadeful of earth upon the site. He then handed the spade to Mrs. Odell, who lifted another sod; after which various ladies in the party performed the same act; at the conclusion of which the assemblage adjourned.

OPENING OF THE BUILDING

The building of the State of New York was the only building on the Terrace of States entirely ready for the reception of guests on the opening day of the Exposition. It was a structure thoroughly in keeping with the dignity and prestige of the great Empire State. Of marked simplicity in design, there was in its every line and appointment evidence of the utmost refinement and culture.

The building was planned primarily for the comfort, accommodation and convenience of visitors from the Empire State, for the holding of such functions as the Commission were required to give in the name of the State, and for the meetings of any associations or delegations from New York attending the Exposition. It contained no exhibits of any kind, all of the exhibits being placed in the main exhibit palaces under the proper subdivision of the official classification.