|
| NEW JERSEY'S BUILDING - This structure was
situated on the northern circle of State houses, at a corner where a
north and south avenue ran to the New York Building. Nothing could
be more surprising than the contrast between the exterior and
interior. Plain and unostentatious from the street, the house
startled the visitor from its entrance with the luxury and elegance
of its furnishings, and the stateliness of its occupants. Colored
servants to take the guest's card or lead him to the registry, silken
ribbons across doorways and stair-cases, to remind him that he was
not of the elect, pianos, chairs, tables and sideboards of rosewood,
with carpets of deepest velvet, and hangings of richest silk, spoke
of the wealth, pride, and exclusive spirit of the little State. The
house itself reproduced the appearance of Washington's headquarters
at Morristown, in the Revolutionary War, and was the work of Charles
A. Gifford, architect, of Newark. It was three stories high, and 81
by 31 feet in area; the cost was $18,000. A room was shown that was
called Washington's bed-chamber and dining-room, and a wine buffet
was set with fine cut glassware, well in keeping with the general
interior display. There were rooms for the use of the women
commissioners, rooms for the commission, parlors, a large hall, with
broad fire-place, and a whole story for the care-takers. The
material was brought largely from New Jersey by James W. Lanning, of
Trenton, the contractor. |
