Great Central Fair
The Great Central Fair was a fair that happened in June 1864. It took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was held to raise funds for the United States Sanitary Commission.
History
[change | change source]The Great Central Fair took place from June 7 until June 28, 1864.[1] It happened in a park called Logan Circle in Philadelphia.[2] Other sanitary fairs took place in Chicago, Cincinnati, and New York City. The people in Philadelphia thought they should do one to raise money for the United States Sanitary Commission.[3]
Two architects named Samuel Honeyman Kneass and William Stickland designed the buildings for the fair. The biggest building was 200,000 square feet in size. Inside, visitors could visit different theme areas. The areas included information about New Jersey, Delaware, sewing, corn, weapons, art and children. There was also a restaurant.[3]
Abraham Lincoln visited the fair on June 16. He donated 48 copies of his Emancipation Proclamation. They were sold for $10 each. He autographed all of them. The festival raised over $1 million.[1]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bryan, Kerry L. "Civil War Sanitary Fairs". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ↑ "Great Central Fair Buildings, Philadelphia". The Library Company of Philadelphia. World Digital Library. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Great Central Fair". Inventories. The Library Company of Philadelphia. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
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