United States Centennial
| Centennial Exposition | |
|---|---|
Opening day ceremonies at the Centennial Exhibition
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| Overview | |
| BIE-class | Universal exposition |
| Category | Historical Expo |
| Name | Centennial Exposition |
| Building | Memorial Hall |
| Area | 115 ha |
| Invention(s) | Typewriter, Sewing machine, Telephone |
| Visitors | 10,000,000 |
| Participant(s) | |
| Countries | 35 |
| Business | 14,420 |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Venue | Fairmount Park |
| Coordinates | 39°58′51.6″N 75°12′54″W / 39.981000°N 75.21500°W |
| Timeline | |
| Bidding | December 1866 |
| Awarded | January 1870 |
| Opening | May 10, 1876 |
| Closure | November 10, 1876 |
| Universal expositions | |
| Previous | Weltausstellung 1873 Wien in Vienna |
| Next | Exposition Universelle (1878) in Paris |
The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, the first official World's Fair in the United States, was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 10 to November 10, 1876, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Officially named the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine, it was held in Fairmount Park along the Schuylkill River on fairgrounds designed by Herman J. Schwarzmann. Nearly 10 million visitors attended the exhibition and thirty-seven countries participated in it.
The Great Central Fair of 1864, one of the many fairs held during the Civil War, anticipated the combination of public, private, and commercial efforts that were necessary for the Centennial. The Great Central Fair, held on Logan Square, had a similar gothic appearance, the waving flags, the huge central hall, the "curiosities" and relics, handmade and industrial exhibits, and also a visit from the President and his family, provided a creative and communal means for ordinary citizens to promote the welfare of Union soldiers and dedicate themselves to the survival of the nation. They also made Philadelphia a vital center in the Union war effort.
The idea of the Centennial Exposition is credited to John L. Campbell, a professor of mathematics, natural philosophy and astronomy at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana. In December 1866, Campbell suggested to Philadelphia's mayor that the United States Centennial be celebrated with an exposition in Philadelphia. Detractors said the project would not be able to find funding, other nations might not attend, and U.S. exhibitions might compare poorly to foreign exhibits.
The Franklin Institute became an early supporter of the exposition and asked the Philadelphia City Council for use of Fairmount Park. With reference to the numerous events of national importance that were held in the past and related to the City of Philadelphia, the City Council resolved in January 1870, to hold the Centennial Exposition in the city in 1876.
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