History of Memorial Hall and the 1876 Centennial
Philadelphia. The city where the founders signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 became the site for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition—a world’s fair that included exhibits and products displayed from companies, state and federal government entities and foreign nations from around the globe.
The Civil War had ended eleven years earlier, but the wounds to the nation were still fresh. Political scandals were in the headlines and women were sowing the seeds of the fight for equality. New inventions were being introduced left and right. The manufacturing of goods was booming. The United States of America was one hundred years old. The country needed a party… a big one that could highlight the best and brightest of American (and international) ingenuity.
Centennial Facts
- Ten million people visited the Centennial from May 10th to November 10th 1876.
- The Exposition covered 284 acres of land in Fairmount Park
- There were 60,000 displays in over 240 buildings from 30,864 exhibitors
- Exhibits included products of manufacture, technology, agriculture, education, government, cuisine, photography, printing, travel, and more
- New inventions and products were debuted at the fair, these included: root beer, the telephone, bananas, kindergarten, the monorail, kudzu and the high-wheel bicycle!
Photos
Click here for a full bibliography detailing our Centennial sources.
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