PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS
Page 35 – THE MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING
THE MASSACHUSETTS BUILDING.—Typical of the history and character of the Old Bay State was the Massachusetts Building, which stood just east of New York on the broad roadway leading east from the Fifty-seventh street entrance to the grounds. It was in the old Colonial style and, as nearly as was practicable, a duplicate of the historic John Hancock residence which, until within comparatively recent years, was one of Boston’s landmarks. The building was three-stories in height, the exterior of staff an imitation of cut granite and, like its original, was surrounded by a terrace raised above the street, having a fenced in fore-court in front planted with old-fashioned flowers and plants. It was this court, with its flowers so familiar in childhood to thousands of the men who have made the West, that appealed very pleasantly to hosts of minds. The idea was entirely in keeping with the house itself. The main entrance opened into a large hallway with a tiled floor, and faced a broad colonial staircase leading to the second story. The post-office and general reception room on the right was what might have been expected from the exterior view. Its marble floor, tiled walls, uncovered beams and high mantel were all in the style of what our forefathers would have considered an ideal mansion. On the left of the hallway were two large parlors. The second floor, somewhat similarly divided, was given over to women, and the third was occupied by servants. There were in the various apartments many quaint and interesting exhibits of colonial times.
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