Jamestown Exposition

The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many world's fairs and expositions that were popular in the United States early part of the 20th century. It was held from April 26 to December 1, 1907, at Sewell's Point on Hampton Roads, near Norfolk, Virginia, and commemorated the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown Settlement.

Opening Day: mud, low attendance, racial controversy

Opening day on April 26, 1907 had its share of headaches. Only a fifth of the electric lights could be turned on, and the Warpath recreation area was far from ready. Construction of the government pier left much of the ground in the center of the exposition muddy soup. Prominent visitors included President Theodore Roosevelt, who opened the exposition and presided over the naval review. After the opening day, attendance dropped sharply, and never again achieved projections.

Related Topics:
April 26 - 1907 - Theodore Roosevelt

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But in time, things improved and portions of the event became spectacular. Planners asked each state of the union to contribute a house to celebrate its history and industry. Lack of interest or funds prevented participation by all, but 21 states funded houses, which bore their names: Pennsylvania House, Virginia House, New Hampshire House, North Carolina House, etc. During the exposition, days were set aside to honor the states individually. The governor of each state usually appeared to greet visitors to the state's house.

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The 340 acre (1.4 km²) site included a 122 by 60 ft (37 by 18 m) relief model of the Panama Canal, a wild animal show, a Wild West show, and a re-creation of the then-recent San Francisco Earthquake.

Related Topics:
Panama Canal - San Francisco Earthquake

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Possibly the most popular attraction was a re-creation of the Battle of Hampton Roads, the first battle between two ironclad warships, the USS Monitor vs. CSS Virginia, which had taken place within sight of Sewell's Point 40 years earlier during the US Civil War. The exterior of the Merrimac-Monitor Building looked somewhat like a battleship while the interior was a large circular description of the battle. The name of the warship which had served the Confederacy in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads eventually became a continuing source of confusion. In the years after the war, the common terminology became Merrimac.

Related Topics:
Battle of Hampton Roads - Ironclad - USS ''Monitor'' - CSS - ''Virginia'' - US Civil War

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The railroads put on elaborate displays. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) displayed its entire F.F.V. passenger train, There was a crack New York Central (NYC) electric engine on display, part of its Grand Central Station modernization project in New York City. Not to be outdone, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) brought an actual 23 foot diameter section of its new East River Tunnel. The same tube, with an inscription that it had been displayed at the Exposition, was later installed under water as part of the link to the new Penn Station in New York.

Related Topics:
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway - New York Central - Grand Central Station - New York City - Pennsylvania Railroad - Penn Station

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There were also late model automobiles, autoboats, and electric and steam traction engines, each in its highest stage of development.

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The exposition was perhaps most notable for the display of military prowess; warships of many nations, including the sixteen battleships of the United States, participated in a naval review, and all kinds of modern military hardware were on display.

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A controversial feature of the exposition was its "Negro Building", designed by W. Sydney Pittman and purporting to show the progress of African-Americans, but which was charged with being a "Jim Crow affair", and criticized by W.E.B. DuBois and T. Thomas Fortune. While Dr. Booker T. Washington was invited and attended as a prominent guest, many African-Americans were probably reminded of their lack of progress, as they were forbidden by law to patronize the restaurants at the exposition.

Related Topics:
W. Sydney Pittman - Jim Crow - W.E.B. DuBois - T. Thomas Fortune - Booker T. Washington

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Mark Twain and Henry H. Rogers also paid a visit, arriving in the latter's yacht Kanawha. Later that summer, Twain returned and was a guest-of-honor on Robert Fulton Day. The elderly Twain's humorous talk was partly an introduction of Rear Admiral Purnell F. Harrington, former Commandant of the Norfolk Navy Yard. Said Twain, "In my remarks of welcome of Admiral Harrington, I am not going to give him compliments. Compliments always embarrass a man. You do not know what to say. It does not inspire you with words. There is nothing you can say in answer to a compliment. I have been complimented myself a great many times, and they always embarrass me. I always feel they have not said enough."

Related Topics:
Mark Twain - Henry H. Rogers - Robert Fulton - Purnell F. Harrington - Norfolk Navy Yard - Twain

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Perhaps the exposition's most impressive display was on water rather than land. Ships of two squadrons commanded by Admiral Robley Evans formed a continuing presence off Sewell's Point. The assembly included 16 battleships, five cruisers, and six destroyers. The fleet remained in Hampton Roads after the exposition closed and became President Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet, which toured the globe as evidence of the nation's military might.

Related Topics:
Hampton Roads - Theodore Roosevelt

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The United States issued a series of three postage stamps in conjunction with the exposition. The 1-cent value portrayed Captain John Smith, the 2-cent value the founding of Jamestown, and the 5-cent Pocahontas.

Related Topics:
Postage stamp - John Smith - Pocahontas

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