The Southern Exposition
Posted in Uncategorized on 08/10/2010 03:36 pm by Cassie Bratcher
The Louisville Exposition - A Wondrous View
[From an article written by Kathryn A. Bratcher and published in Volume 4 Number 4 of The Filson Magazine]
An exposition to be held in Louisville was the idea of the Louisville Board of Trade to show the world that Louisville was ready to claim her place in the trade market. The Southern Exposition opened on August 1, 1883. Admission was 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children under twelve, with a 25 cent admission for all on Saturdays. The popularity of the Southern Exposition allowed it to re-open for several years until it ended in 1887.
The Exposition’s main building was a large two-story wooden and glass structure designed by McDonald Brothers and Curtain that covered approximately 12 acres. The building was divided into four large sections that included interior courts with large windows for light, and a fountain in the center of each court. The trade exhibits were featured around the perimeter of the main building.
In addition to the main building there were several outbuildings that featured more curiosities for people to explore. One of them was a large art gallery built in Central Park which held masterpieces from many famous international collections. The Exposition’s agricultural department presented a farm and garden of about 3 acres and identified the trees in Central Park with labels. The police and fire departments for the Exposition were also located in Central Park, and a police substation still exists there today.
View of the Buildings at the Southern Exposition
The use of electricity made the Southern Exposition the first successful nighttime exposition in the country. The exhibition grounds, main building and art gallery were illuminated by electric lights made by the Edison Company of New York. The courts and parks were illuminated by Jenny Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, which allowed for late afternoon and evening entertainment.
The Filson Historical Society is fortunate to have several rare artifacts and items from the Southern Exposition in its collections.
