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| THE MICHIGAN BUILDING - Situated in close
proximity to the Art Palace on the one side and the California
Building on the other, the one an Athenian temple and the other a
Moresque mission-house, both severe and simple in contour, the Gothic
lines of several of the structures of Western States - particularly
in the homes of Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Colorado - were
sharply criticized at the beginning, when it was believed that the
Exposition must depend largely on its artistic effects. But when the
crowds grew to two hundred thousand a day on the average, the welcome
verandas of these hospitable State buildings proved the wisdom of
their architects, and comfort reigned while Athens went back into the
school-books and art-magazines. Here on this spacious porch the
weary family could eat its food free from the vexatious delays at the
overcrowded restaurants, while within were great halls for evening
parties where the distinguished sons and beautiful daughters of the
commonwealth often gathered to the sound of festal music. In the
Muskegon Room was a large piano; in the assembly-room of the second
floor, a large pipe organ. On the second floor, also, was an exhibit
of State resources, and some of the collections made by the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. The third floor was occupied by
the officers and servants in charge of the building. Stuffed
animals, a huge map of the State, and art exhibits were to be seen.
The architects were M. L. Smith & Son, of Detroit. Cost $50,000;
area, eighty by ninety feet. |
