A pleasant feature was a private restaurant, conducted by Messrs. Bayno & Pindat, of New York city, the former being the inventor of an electric range which was used in the preparation of food. The kitchen and commissary department was in the basement at the north end of the building. The privileges of the restaurant were by card only, and were extended to New Yorkers, Exposition officials and prominent Exposition visitors. The cuisine was most excellent, and throughout the season appetizing meals were served on the spacious verandas at the north end of the building, over which canopies had been erected, the illumination being furnished in the evening by electric lights, contained in Japanese lanterns. No restaurant upon the grounds enjoyed a greater popularity among those who were privileged to use it than did that of the New York State building.
THE ORGAN
To the Aeolian Company, of New York city, the Commission is indebted for one of the features of the building. This company placed a magnificent pipe organ in the east balcony of the rotunda, and in the gallery north of the grand hall, nearly 100 feet away, was installed an echo organ, while a set of cathedral chimes sounded softly from still another distant part of the building. All three instruments were under control of the organist at the console located upon the main floor of the entrance hall, and could be played either by hand or by music rolls manufactured by the Aeolian Company. The organ was equipped with an electric keyboard which permitted the playing of all three instruments or any single one, as the operator desired. The main instrument was contained in an artistic case, which, with its decorative ornament, was built by Charles and Jacob Blum, of New York city, and was an important enrichment of the hall.
Mr. S. H. Grover, a representative of the company, was in attendance throughout the summer and gave a recital each day at three o'clock in the afternoon. These recitals soon came to be a feature of the Exposition, and were largely attended by music lovers.
The program played on New York State day is given below, and is a fair specimen of the programs rendered throughout the season.
Overture, "Oberon" Von Weber
Serenade Schubert
The Nightingale Delibes
Overture, "Stradella" Flotow
Berceuse, "Jocelyn" Godard
Selections, No. 11, "La Boheme" Puccini
Am Meer Schubert
Introduction, Act III, "Lohengrin" Wagner
THE PIANO
The Commission also acknowledges the courtesy of Steinway & Co. in placing in the State building one of the finest instruments ever turned out by this famous firm of piano builders. Its purity of tone and singing qualities were remarkable, and during the season several recitals were given upon it by eminent musicians. The piano was appropriately named "The Wave," illustrating as it did the wonderful waterways of the Empire State. The case was made of white hard maple, admirably adapted for fine carving. Some distance from the edge of the top the smooth surface commenced to take the undulations of the surface of water, gradually increasing in volume until the edge was reached, where the waves seemed to flow over in an irregular line down the sides, here and there forming panels. The three supports were composed of female figures sculptured in wood; one supported by a dolphin suggested the mythical origin of the harp, another was poised upon a dolphin's back, and the third was a water nymph nestled among the rocks and spray. The music desk contained a picture of sunrise on Lake Erie. All of the carving was colored with translucent greens and blues enhancing the graceful undulations and wave movements. The panels were all designed to illustrate some of the most important views of the waterways of New York State. The first represented New York harbor, the next East river spanned by Brooklyn bridge, another the Hudson, with its palisades. The panel over the rear support was a view of Albany, showing the Capitol on the hill at sunset; another showed Cohoes Falls and the Erie canal; the next contained a picture of Little Falls; the last being a picture of Buffalo harbor. On the top, as a fitting finale, was a large picture representing the American Falls at Niagara. Underneath the front half of the top was painted the coat of arms of the State.
THE STAFF
The State building was at all times in charge of a competent and obliging staff, which always stood ready to minister to the comfort and pleasure of the guests of the Empire State. Honorable Frank J. LeFevre, of New Paltz, was Superintendent. He performed the arduous duties of directing the actions of the force and attending to a multitude of details with cheerfulness and efficiency. He was ably assisted by George E. Cowper, of Olean, the Assistant Superintendent.