THE MICHIGAN BUILDING.

A reference to the origin of this structure, which holds a historic place in the annals of Michigan's participation in the Exhibition, is made in preceding pages. The building was essentially "the home" of Michigan people, and will be remembered with gratitude as a place of rest by many a weary pilgrim at the shrine of the Centennial. It was the residence of the Secretary of the State Board of Managers, and the official headquarters of the Board. The subjoined extract from a Philadelphia correspondence of the "Detroit Tribune" covers a quite full description of the building, and many facts connected with it demanding notice in this volume:

The Michigan visitor at the Centennial Exhibition, if possessed of any of the State pride and loyalty which is a commendable characteristic of our citizens, will be sure to pay an early visit to the Michigan State Building. It stands in a row of state buildings, in the northwest portion of the grounds, facing a pleasant winding road called "State avenue," and on the summit of a slope which overlooks the whole grounds. The location is a delightful one. The visitor approaching it will be filled with loyal pleasure at the creditable appearance which it makes. It is the universal remark of observers that it is the finest among all the state buildings. Though it has been open for some weeks, it has now just been completed, and is in perfect order, "from turret to foundation stone."

The exterior is handsome and striking. The structure is of wood, and consists of two stories and a tower, built in a very airy and elegant way. Julius Hess, of Detroit, is the architect, and has won much reputation by his striking design. Most of the material, as our readers know, was contributed by citizens of the State. The sandstone foundation on which it stands was the gift of the city of Marquette; the handsome slate roof, that of the Huron Bay Slate Company; while the pine timber and hard-wood used in the building were contributed by lumber dealers in Detroit, the Saginaws, Bay City, Muskegon, South Haven, Lapeer, etc.

The principal charm of the building lies in its interior finish. Floor, walls and ceiling are of native woods, artistically arranged in mosaics and panels, so as to produce a striking and beautiful effect. The front door, through which the visitor enters, is paneled in white ash, black walnut and bird's-eye maple, and is very elaborate. It has been pronounced the finest door in the city of Philadelphia. The hall floor is a parquette, or mosaic, of various hard woods. The walls are tastefully paneled in bird's-eye maple, black walnut, cherry and ash. Through this the visitor passes into the large and handsome reception room, where the visitors' book is kept, and the business of the State headquarters transacted. The floor of this room is white ash and black walnut strips, furnished by Frost & Co., of Detroit. The wainscoting is of black walnut, inlaid with panels of Grand Rapids gypsum, beautifully variegated. The effect of this combination is very striking and attractive. The walls are paneled with butternut and black walnut, and there is a heavily moulded and elaborately carved cornice above them of black walnut, butternut and cherry. At one end of the room is a very handsome mirror, frame and mantel, carved in wood, furnished by F. Borchard, of Detroit.

Beyond this room is an interior office, which has been named the "Governor's room." The display of native woods made in the floor and walls of this apartment is the most complete and

handsome in the whole building. The walls are paneled with raised white ash, cut in Jenkins' Universal paneling machine-a Detroit invention. The wainscoting is of the patent imitation of Italian marble, contributed by the Daniels Italian Marble Company, of Port Huron. The floor is a beautiful mosaic, contributed by Mr. Flach, of Detroit. The ceiling is of cherry and white ash. Besides these, there are on this floor wash and toilet rooms for ladies and gentlemen both, and a check room, where bundles, etc., may be deposited. The fixtures for the toilet rooms were contributed by a number of Detroit plumbers.

Ascending to the second floor by a handsome staircase, from Paul Gies & Co., the visitor enters the parlor, handsomely carpeted with Brussels, and elegantly furnished with chairs, sofas, tables and a large parlor organ. The panels, side walls and ceilings of this room are of native white pine, beautifully polished. The hard oil finish in all the rooms of the house, which brings out so finely the colors of the native woods, was contributed by Berry Brothers, of Detroit, who also sent on an agent, to see that it was properly applied. The furniture of the parlor, and also of the three bedrooms on the same floor, was contributed by the enterprising furniture manufacturing company of Berkey & Gay, of Grand Rapids. It is very handsome and elaborate, and has called out the highest praises from all visitors. This same firm has a magnificent furniture exhibit in the Main Building.

The outside finish of the building is very fine. It is painted in pearl and white, and handsomely decorated with flags. Its dimensions are 48 × 58 feet, with an elevation of 92 feet to the flagstaff. It would have cost about $15,000 had all the material been purchased, instead of contributed.

As might have been expected, the building has called out many enthusiastic compliments from foreign visitors. Many of these have taken pains to inspect it, and have all agreed that it is a splendid representation of the building material of our State, as well as a tasteful and beautiful structure. The president of the Italian commission declared it the finest building on the grounds, and fully equal to anything shown at the Paris exposition of 1867. He remarked that Michigan must be a very fine and wealthy state, with such a variety and quantity of beautiful woods for building purposes. The Brazilian commissioners also praised the building very highly, and declared that the exhibition of Michigan woods was finer than anything in this country. The Brazilian exhibition of forestry is the finest at the Exposition, but Michigan stands second, and the Brazilian commissioners have already testified their appreciation of our collection by asking an exchange of woods. The general verdict of the commissioners, both those from abroad and from other states, is that the building will be a magnificent advertisement of the resources of our Peninsular State.

The Michigan Building was formally opened and dedicated on July sixth. There was no stated programme, but Governor Bagley and his military staff were present, the Pelouze Cadets participating. The subject will justify the perpetuation, in this record, of something of the enthusiasm of the occasion, as reflected at the time through the newspapers. A correspondent of the "Detroit Evening News" writes:

To-day the Michigan clans gathered at the Mecca of all good Michiganders, the Michigan Building, to dedicate the same to the service of the weary and travel-stained pilgrims, and at twelve noon, when the boys of the Pelouze corps had arrived, the building was filled from cellar to roof with troops, state officers, Michigan's fair daughters and gallant sons, the pioneers of "auld

lang syne," and the youth and strong men and virtuous women. The first thing after the greetings and hand-shakings were over, was the singing of

Come along, come along,

Don't take alarm,
For Michigan is big enough

To give us all a farm.

And after that one verse of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Governor Bagley was loudly called for, but, as usual, “could make no speech," but then went and did it, and did it well. Then, led by the famous Hutchinson family of singers, all hands joined in singing "A Thousand Years, My Own Columbia," and the dedication was over. Just then the National Guard Band arrived and gave a few splendid selections. The company of Guards were already here before the band arrived. At last the building is completed, and all unite in saying, "Isn't it the boss?”

The report in the "New York Herald" of the seventh said of the occasion:

The Michigan State Building was formally opened yesterday afternoon by Governor J. J. Bagley, of Michigan, who held a reception at the building from twelve to three o'clock. This structure is one of the most artistically designed and finely finished state buildings on the grounds, the airy and graceful proportions of the superstructure culminating in a high villa tower on the south side. At the opening of the building, yesterday, it was almost immediately thronged with visitors, a large proportion of whom were from Michigan. Governor Bagley took a position on the west side of the assembly room, in front of a banner bearing the State coat-of-arms, and courteously welcomed the visitors as they were presented. Among the more prominent gentlemen from the State noticeable in the throng, were Adjutant-General John Robertson, Quartermaster-General S. S. Matthews, Inspector-General L. S. Trowbridge, Surgeon Borrowman, Colonel John Pulford, Colonel G. S. Wormer, aide-de-camps, and J. H. Hopkins, Military Secretary, of the Governor's staff; Colonel W. B. McCreary, State Treasurer of Michigan; V. P. Collier, State Commissioner; W. J. Baxter, of the State Board of Education; Sylvester Larned, and many others.

At half-past twelve o'clock, the Pelouze Detroit Cadets, commanded by Colonel J. S. Rogers, United States army, arrived from their encampment on Belmont Hill. They were drawn up in line on State avenue, and, after stacking arms, entered the building, where they were cordially received by Governor Bagley, who complimented the organization on their fine appearance and soldierly bearing on the Fourth. All present were served with light refreshments, and during the remainder of the reception the scene was enlivened by martial music. The reception, though in many respects informal, was very enjoyable, and will doubtless long be pleasantly remembered by the participants.

The lithographic representation of the Michigan Building, which forms the frontispiece to this work, is made from a photograph which shows in the windows some of the decorations with which the building was decked on the occasion of its dedication.

A registry was kept at the building, nearly 32,000 names of Michigan visitors being registered during the Exhibition. The largest number registered on any one day was 1,311, on September eighteenth. The largest number during a single week was 3,520, for the week ending September twenty-fourth.

The average daily registry from May thirtieth was 155, and from September first to November tenth it was 302. Various societies and associations held meetings in the building during the Exhibition. Over 5,000 letters were received and delivered to Michigan visitors. Many daily and weekly papers, the free contributions of their publishers, were kept on file. There were exhibited in the building an elegant silk banner, sent by the city of Detroit to Vienna in 1863, and a portrait of Rev. George Duffield, chaplain to the Continental Congress, and ancestor of the Duffield family, of Michigan, several of whom bear his name and follow his calling. The building was visited by representatives of all countries represented at the Exhibition, and descriptions of it, as showing the natural resources of the State, by these persons, in their own languages, transmitted to their own countries, has probably done more to bring the State into notice than any other feature of the Exhibition. It is mentioned in the report of the Judges of Awards as "constructed in the Swiss style, of materials in woods and stone, and by workmen from the State, the interior being embellished with artificial marble, and the varnished woods of the State so blended in colors as to give a very pleasing effect."

No disposition of the building has been made at the time of this writing, the Centennial Board awaiting the action of the Legislature on subjects submitted in their report, preceding.

Cash donations, used principally or wholly in the construction of the building, aside from donations of material, were made as follows:*

* Report of Centennial Board, February 8, 1877-Senate journal of that date.

61

II. — PRODUCTS OF THE SOIL AND MINE.

AGRICULTURE AND POMOLOGY.

S elsewhere stated, the Hon. J. J. Woodman, one of the State Centennial Board of Managers, was detailed to the special duty of superintending the exhibition of agricultural products from Michigan. Mr. Woodman made a special report of his operations, which accompanies the final report of the Board. This report, covering, as it does, the preliminary steps taken by Manager Woodman to secure the representation of Michigan agricultural interests, first claims attention under this head. The report refers to the embarrassment caused by the want of funds with which to make the collection. No compensation being allowed for labor or for articles to be exhibited, it was necessary first to enlist the gratuitous services of good, active men in the several counties of the State to make and forward collections for exhibition. A circular was issued, August 20, 1875, from the General Centennial Office, room No. 11 Bank Block, Detroit, in which confidence was expressed that no state in the Union could present a greater variety of agricultural products or of valuable timber and lumber than Michigan, and that in fruit-growing Michigan stands pre-eminent. He declared that the reputation of the State and the interests of the nation demand that the agriculture and fruit-growing of Michigan be well and fairly represented at this great fair, not of the states only, but of the world, and he appealed to the farmers, fruit-growers and lumbermen of the State to co-operate in collecting and forwarding specimens for this purpose. He called on lumbermen, officers of agricultural societies and other organizations to co-operate with the county superintendents whom he would appoint, and requested that each sample should be accompanied with a statement containing the name of the producer, where raised, and such facts relating to soil and cultivation as might be deemed of interest. He also asked for samples of soil, in certain cases, where the yield had been remarkably large, to accompany the specimen of produce. This circular was circulated and copied into most of the newspapers in the State.