The central feature of the exhibit, an octagonal shaft about 30 feet in height, surmounted by an ornamental frieze, dome, and golden eagle, bore statistics relating to the most important mineral productions of the State during the year 1903. Among the relief maps reproducing mining regions one, 12 by 8 feet, covered the whole State of Pennsylvania, and showed coal measures, including the Pottsville conglomerate, oil-producing areas, and gas territory.
Among the crude materials exhibited, coal, the greatest mineral product of the State, was given preeminence. A piece of anthracite coal weighing 11 tons, said to be the largest unbroken piece of this coal ever taken from the ground, was surrounded by pyramidal glass cases in which were displayed anthracite coals of various kinds, quantities, and qualities in all the marketable sizes, from lump to culm. Adjoining this display was a working breaker illustrating modern methods of breaking, cleaning, and assorting anthracite coal. Next to this display was probably the most perfect and comprehensive coal-mine model ever constructed. It was about 16 feet by 9 feet, and was accurately proportioned to the scale of 5 feet to 1 inch. The background of the model showed the surface plan of a large mine, including a miniature breaker near the head of the mine shaft to the breaker, small cars bearing slate and culm away from the breakers, and coal cars upon a track which ran under the breaker for convenience in loading the marketable product for shipment; also upon the left hand, the fan supplying ventilation to the mine, the carpenter shop, and the boiler room, and on the right hand, the men at work on strippings (coal lying on or near the surface) with steam shovels.
Mounted prints and transparencies showed interior and surface views of mines, and a valuable collection of coal fossils completed the State exhibit of anthracite coal.
The bituminous coal of the State of Pennsylvania was represented by twelve cross-sectional cuttings from well-known veins occurring in different parts of the State and by models and views. Pennsylvania's interest in iron mining and manufactures was represented by the crude product only.
In crude specimens, ores of manganese, zinc, copper, nickel, lead, etc., were displayed, as well as feldspar, corundum talc, asbestos, gypsum, and mica. A pavilion built of old Bangor slate showed slabs of different grades and varieties of finish.
A handsomely mounted exhibit of crude and refined oils in 200 flasks conveyed a conception of the variety and extent of the oil industry of the State. The whole exhibit, so far as space would permit, was designed upon a scale significant of the size, importance, and value of the mineral wealth it represented.
The general scheme of installation of Pennsylvania's agricultural exhibit embraced an inclosing structure of show cases with plate-glass tops. On either side of the four corners was a massive paneled port surmounted by a glass sphere 6 inches in diameter and filled with some farm products similar to that which was shown in the cases adjoining them.
Upon two of the keystones grains and seeds were displayed in glass jars, while corn was shown in rows of ears. Upon another keystone were shown fine specimens of fine tobacco, as also in the show cases adjoining the pagoda. All the tobacco shown was grown in Lancaster County. Wool was shown in the grease, or "unwashed," in small samples taken directly from the sheep. These samples were arranged upon black velvet, which lined the bottom of the cases in a large variety of beautiful forms, and constituted one of the most attractive features of the exhibits.
In the remaining show cases was found an unusually large collection of the manufactured products of the farmers' crops, including meals, flours, "breakfast foods," oils, liquors, pipes, etc.
Pennsylvania's fish exhibit was divided into five groups, namely: Live fish, mounted fish, birds and mammals, water colors and photographs of fishery subjects, legally confiscated devices for catching fish and angling materials.