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166. Picturesque World’s Fair – The Rhode Island Building

THE RHODE ISLAND BUILDING.—The smallest state in the Union made by no means the smallest showing at the Columbian Exposition. She contributed $50,000 toward a state exhibit, and her pretty building, which cost $10,000, was presented to Chicago at the close of the Fair. It was a graceful structure, in the style of a Greek mansion, its columns and pilasters enriched by decorated moldings and a balustrade surrounding the roof. The interior contained rooms for the commissioners, for guests, and one for the governor of the state. There were many interesting objects shown. A marble mantel in one of the reception rooms came from the old Colonial Building in which was formed the plan for the destruction of the British naval schooner, ” Gaspe,” in 1772, the first naval struggle of the Revolution. Among the portraits were a number of those of old Colonial governors, one of Major Burton, who captured the British major, Preston, and one of Commodore Perry, who fought so well in the war of 1812. A little print in an old-fashioned frame was a picture of the Vernon house, in Providence, whose owner loaned the residence for the accommodation of French soldiers who came over to aid the Americans in the war of the Revolution. Its frame was made of wood from the house of a-son of Roger Williams. There were other relics as old and quaint, all telling of the days when Rhode Island sustained her part in an emergency affecting the welfare of the country. Very pleasant’ were the Rhode Island headquarters, with the old-fashioned flower garden.

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