PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS

Page 28

THE SWEDISH BUILDING.—The remarkable style of architecture of the Swedish Building made it conspicuous among the group between the north pond and the lake, and it may be added, that the comment thus attracted was most favorable. The building stood on a triangular piece of ground, and to meet this exigency, in preparing the plans a hexagon was inscribed within the triangle and the shape of the structure made to conform to the pattern. The hexangular main hall was sixty feet across and the pitch of the cupola above seventy feet. On top of this a flagstaff was erected, carrying the banner of Sweden at a height of one hundred and fifty feet from the ground. The entire floor area was eleven thousand square feet. The building, which cost $40,000, was made in Sweden, then taken to pieces and sent across the ocean to be re-erected. The architect, Gustaf Wickman, of Stockholm, attempted in the design to follow the style of Swedish churches and gentlemen’s houses in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The lower part of the building was of modern brick, terra cotta and cement, all made in Sweden, and the remainder of wood from the same country. The crown on the top of the steeple and the framework around the bell were gilded, and details of the exterior were colored red, green, or white. The inside was painted in light lines and richly decorated. The display included Sweden’s natural resources, products of her industries and exhibits indicative of national customs. A most interesting exhibit was made and the building was very popular.

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