The Vermont Building, 50 by 100 feet, was a reproduction of what is claimed to be the second most interesting historic structure in the United States—the old Constitution House at Windsor, where in 1777 the constitution of the State was formulated, a constitution of intense interest from the fact that it was the first in all history to prohibit slavery.
As this State building was a reproduction of a famous old tavern, it was peculiarly appropriate that it should maintain a dining room, and here between one and two thousand people were daily entertained.
The minutes of the constitutional convention were for many years supposed to have been lost, but were quite recently discovered in the Congressional Library at Washington, and were elaborately reproduced in facsimile by Senator Proctor.
Thanksgiving Day was the Vermont and Hew Hampshire day at the exposition.
The State commission was composed of the following:
Governor Charles J. Bell, ex officio chairman; W. Seward Webb, president; Arthur C. Jackson, vice-president and executive commissioner; Frederick G. Fleetwood, second vice-president; J.C. Enright, secretary and counsel; F.W. Stanyan, treasurer; Miss Mary Evarts.
The legislature having failed to make an appropriation, Mr. Jackson, a native of Waitsfield, personally raised all the money required for the construction and maintenance of the State building.
Among the elaborate displays were those of private exhibitors in the Machinery Building, marble in the Mines Building, and the granite exhibit in the same building.
VIRGINIA.
During the winter session of 1902 the Virginia legislature by enactment provided $50,000 for an industrial exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, with the condition that no portion of the sum should be used for a State building. The act provided for three commissioners and five assistant commissioners, one of whom was named principal assistant, with duties of superintendent and treasurer. The State commissioner of agriculture was named as one of the commissioners, and the appointment of two was left to the governor, with power vested in the commission to appoint the assistant commissioners. Governor Montague appointed Col. A. M. Bowman, of Salem, Va., and J.L. Patton, of Newport News, Va., as commissioners. This commission, in February, 1903, elected Hon. G.W. Koiner, president, and appointed Hon. George E. Murrell, of Fontella, Va., superintendent, treasurer, and secretary; Hon. W.W. Baker, alternate and second assistant, and later appointed O.W. Stone, Martinsville, Va., B.C. Banks, Bland, Va., Lyman Babcock, of Bay Shore, Va., and J.C. Mercer, of Williamsburg, to complete the executive force. Mr. Murrell immediately took charge of the work and assisted by J.C. Mercer as his secretary and stenographer, with the aid of Mr. Baker, planned the scope and took steps toward the collection of exhibits. Later, as the force was strengthened, Mr. Stone was given charge of tobacco and peanuts, Mr. Banks of minerals and timber, and Mr. Babcock of fish and game.