The History of World Expositions |
The Philadelphia World Exposition 1876
Fairmount Park, covering an area of 1,100 hectares and situated to the north of the city, was the obvious choice for an exhibition site. No larger recreational area close to an urban centre could be found anywhere in the US. 175 hectares on two plateaux overlooking Schuylkill River and divided by a small ravine were remodelled for the exhibition and surrounded by a large fence. Hermann Josef Schwarzmann, 27 year-old landscape architect and Fairmount Park’s chief planner, who had already proven himself in the designing of the park and the zoo, a first in the US, took on the responsibility for the preparation of the site. Schwarzmann designed a diversified, hilly terrain, which, like an English park, was fitted with trees, artificial lakes and flowerbeds. The park was accessible by a nine kilometre long steam-driven narrow-gauge railway, which could be taken for a price of five cents. The park could be reached by steamboat, coach or train. The main entrance was right by the Pennsylvania Railroad station. |
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EXPOSEEUM - The Museum of World Exhibitions, Hanover, Expo Plaza 11 Open every Sunday from 11 to 16 |
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