B U R E A U   O F   L I B E R A L   A R T S.



Mrs. Frances M. Ford, Superintendent.


Liberal Arts is a broad and comprehensive term, covering a broad scope of
exhibits, which are in the case of this exposition, treated separately,
therefore, in considering the Liberal Arts Exhibits this should be remembered
and Liberal Arts and Bureau of Education should be considered as one unit in
the whole system of exhibits.  In the original plan of Exhibits Department,
Liberal Arts, as such had no place, it came as an after arrangement and hence,
had not that general position and importance that would otherwise have attached
to it.

The Liberal Arts Building, as heretofore stated, was necessarily an after
consideration, but vied with the others in point of exhibits and interest.  To
the observant visitor, much information of value was obtainable.  Unconsciously
the mind would revert to the past and wonder how our ancestors managed to exist
without the agents of our advanced civilization, which were everywhere
apparent.  The typewriters, arithmetical machines that would add columns of any
length, automatically, without possibility of error; the modern systems of
education, as evidenced by the colleges of the present; the improved
educational appliances in maps, globes, charts and text books; the photographic
exhibits; the records of the human voice, reproduced for the entertainment of
thousands through the agency of a bit of thin metal, a little wax and a few
revolving wheels,- pianos, organs, small stringed instruments, furs, from
far-off Siberia, the extreme north, darkest Africa, and in fact from every part
of the known world; stoneware for the more ordinary uses of the household and
ornamental porcelains of elaborate finish for the wealthy, furniture of quaint
and useful design and exquisite finish, not only for the home, but for the
office as well; draperies and laces of exquisite beauty, jewelry and
bric-a-brac from all countries of the world, were there in profusion.  The
triumphs of chemistry and pharmaceutical preparations were well represented as
well as, also perfumes and articles for the toilet.  Refrigerators, heating and
cooking stoves and all the utensils demanded by the art of household economy,
formed a pleasing feature.

An exhibit, occupying nearly one-fourth of the central part of the eastern
portion of the building, was occupied by one of the principal commercial
museums of the country, showing the agrarian products of the world, while the
fibre exhibit of the United States Government attracted a large number of
visitors.  

A number of exhibits of incubators and brooders in active operation, were also
much visited, and many of the little chicks were carried away as souvenirs. 
Altogether the Liberal Arts Building with its varied exhibits and many
tastefully decorated booths presented a cheerful aspect and was thronged with
visitors throughout the season.


The total available space in this building was 46,128 square feet and was
nearly all occupied, but a small portion of the gallery being vacant.
(Signed)  Mrs. Frances M. Ford,

Superintendent.