Great Central Fair

The Great Central Fair was a fair that happened in June 1864. It took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a fundraiser for the United States Sanitary Commission.

Great Central Fair Buildings, Philadelphia by James Fuller Queen, 1864

History

The Great Central Fair took place from June 7 until June 28 of 1864[1] in the Logan Circle park in Philadelphia.[2] It was inspired by past sanitary fairs that happened throughout the United States to raise funds for the United States Sanitary Commission.[3]

The main exhibit building was 200,000 square feet in size. It was designed by Samuel Honeyman Kneass and William Stickland.[3] There was also Union Street, which was 540 feet long and ran in the middle of the fair.[1] Union Street was compared to a cathedral by Charles J. Stille. Inside the main building were "departments" with different themes. Themes included the neighboring states of New Jersey and Delaware, themes about corn and sewing, a restaurant and parlor, as well as weaponry, fine art, curiosities, transportation and children's subjects.[3]

On June 16, Abraham Lincoln and his family visited the fair. He donated 48 copies of the Emancipation Proclamation at $10 a book. They were all autographed by Lincoln. The festival raised over $1 million.[1]

References
  1. Bryan, Kerry L. "Civil War Sanitary Fairs". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  2. "Great Central Fair Buildings, Philadelphia". The Library Company of Philadelphia. World Digital Library. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  3. "Great Central Fair". Inventories. The Library Company of Philadelphia. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
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