The Crystal Palace

A huge iron and glass building, The Crystal Palace was a building in 19th Century Britain. A rebuilt and expanded version of the building that originally housed the Great Exhibition of 1851, it stood in Upper Norwood from 1854 until 1936, and attracted many thousands of visitors from all levels of society. The name "Crystal Palace" was coined by the satirical magazine Punch who also commented on other historical features like the cholera epidemic, and the filthy streets of London.

Relocation

The life of the Great Exhibition was limited to six months, and something then had to be done with the building. Against the wishes of Parliamentary opponents of anything to do with the scheme, the edifice was re-erected at Sydenham, much modified and enlarged, and within two years Queen Victoria again performed an opening ceremony.

Related Topics:
Parliamentary - Queen Victoria - Ceremony

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Two railway stations were opened to serve the permanent exhibition. The lower is still in use today as Crystal Palace railway station, and part of the higher, which gave access to the Parade area, can also still be seen with its Italian mosaic roofing.

Related Topics:
Railway stations - Crystal Palace railway station - Italian - Mosaic

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Crystal Palace was built by about 5,000 navvies who worked very hard for little and completed their tasks in a very short space of time. Their welfare became the concern of Catherine Marsh, who noticed the poor conditions they were working in and treatment they received: she spared no effort to see that they received fair and just treatment. She made sure that meals were provided for them.

Related Topics:
Navvies - Catherine Marsh

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The framework was similarly adapted to make the iron and glass ceilings in Waterhouse's Museum of Natural History.

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