From Hunting Lodge to Colonial Mansion

Over forty states and territories had buildings of their own at the Fair.  These included all the northeastern states except Delaware. Representative of the states hosted formal receptions as part of that state’s day during the Fair.

A visitor walking by the Maine state building saw a hunting lodge constructed from logs from the state’s pineries and chimneys built of native rocks.

Connecticut’s building was a reproduction of a New England colonial mansion. Inside visitors saw an exhibit of colonial furniture.  It included a 1765 Chippendale desk and the chair used by George Washington at the First Continental Congress.

The Massachusetts state building combined the colonial mansion style with many features of historic interest, including a reproduction of the Bullfinch designed front of the Massachusetts State Capitol.

Other northeastern states offered strong attractions.  The New Jersey state building was a reproduction of the Ford House where George Washington stayed during the Revolutionary War, the Virginia state building was a reproduction of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and the Pennsylvania state building boasted a large square dome with spacious porches.