Description

Manufactured by: Libby Glass Co. Columbian Exposition 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair - Wisconsin State Building. Made at the Worlds Fair by Libbey Glass Co. THE WISCONSIN BUILDING.—It was intended that the Wisconsin Building should be indicative of the resources of the state, and such it was in fact. All the visible material came from Wisconsin, the brown stone, the pressed brick, the shingles and even the plate glass being home products. A handsome building was the result, too. The rich brown stone has long been famous for such use, and the design of the structure was such as to enable its employment to advantage. The total cost was $30,000. The interior was beautifully finished in highly polished hardwoods, and there were some attractive specimens of mosaic work. There were the usual offices for the state’s representatives in Exposition management, and there were reception, library and reading rooms, and other apartments designed to make a pleasant headquarters for Wisconsin people. In the building was an exhibit of statuary which was more than creditable. ” The Genius of Wisconsin,” by Nellie Farnsworth Meirs (Helen Farnsworth Mears), was a female figure of heroic proportions and noble countenance caressing an eagle perched upon her shoulder. At the head of the broad stairway was a stained glass window of Wisconsin workmanship which attracted much attention by its artistic design and coloring. Another object of interest was a beautifully-wrought Spanish flag, bearing the inscription, ” To Castile and Leon Columbus Gave a New World.” In the library was a large book-case filled with works exclusively by Wisconsin authors. The great covered verandah which encircled most of the building became a popular place of resort.