Dedication of New York's Fine Building
The Beautiful White Structure, Now Fully Complete, is the Center of Interest Today
August 6, 1901 Buffalo Evening News
New York drew a gray day for the dedication of her handsome marble building on the bluff overlooking North Bay at the Exposition grounds. It was ushered in with every indication of bad weather. Last night a halo encircled the moon, and this morning the clouds that swathed the sky had the steely appearance that forebodes a cold, settled rain. So cool was the atmosphere this morning that many visitors wore light overcoats and the majority went about clad as for fall weather, rather than for the dog days that generally make themselves felt at this season of the year.
Interest was centered for the occasion on the Greek Doric structure whose pure white facade was mirrored like an intaglio in the gray surface of the Park Lake. Early visitors devoted much time to the study of the classical exterior and its tasteful interior finish. The bronze doors, the memorial of the president of the Buffalo Historical society, were singled out for special attention.
When the Hon. Daniel N. Lockwood, president of the Board of General Managers of the New York State Exhibit, opened the exercises in the assembly room at 11:10 o'clock, the weather had lighted up considerably. Warm sunshine streamed down upon the building and a strong breeze fluttered the curtains in the windows that lighted the room from the west and south.
The list of commissioners was notably light. N.V.V. Franchot of Olean was absent. So were John T. Mott of Oswego, George E. Yost of Theresa, Gaius C. Bolin of Poughkeepsie and Andrew S. Hammersly of New York. Their defection left the honors of the day to be maintained by President Lockwood, Hon. Jacob Amos of Syracuse, Postmaster Fred Greiner and Leopold Stern of New York and Hon. J. Sloat Fassett of Elmira.
Others of distinction who contributed dignity to the occasion by their presence were: President John G. Milburn; Andrew Langdon, President of the Buffalo Historical Society, which will inherit the building when the Exposition is a memory; Senator Henry W. Hill, Assemblyman Bradley, County Judge Emery, City Auditor Anselm J. Smith; Henry A. Richmond, J.N. Adam, Cith Clerk Price, Gen. John C. Graves, Assemblyman Edward R. O'Malley, Pan-American Commissioners J.A. Yerrington of Nevada, Alberto Nuncio of Mexico, Kingsbury of Rhode Island, Parsons of New York, Alfred Berrick, senior and junior, the contractors who built the structure; Adolph Rebadow and R.R. Hefford.
And there came among them one with long, snow-white hair and beard, like that of an ancient druid bard, who looked like Father Time. He was found to be Hutchinson of New York, the patriarch of the Hutchinson family of singers.
When President Lockwood ceased speaking, the features of His Honor, Mayor Conrad Diehl, were seen for a moment framed in the doorway. The room was packed when the exercises began. President Lockwood's speech was mainly a eulogy of men who figured in the erection of the building. Andrew Langdon who contributed the bronze gates, Charles Cary who designed the building, and Berrick & Son, who built it.
Responding to the address of chairman Lockwood, President John G. Milburn of the Exposition declared that his share of the ceremonies was a pleasant and most delightful task, a pleasant formality connected with the beautiful building which is to stand ever as a pleasant memory and as a permanent commemoration of the Pan-American Exposition.
"I often feel the pathos which must come with the thought that after a few months all, or more correctly nearly all, of these beautiful structures, which have been reared here to demonstrate the unity of mankind and of countries, must crumble and be taken away. But it is a consoling thought, it is indeed a grand fact, that this beautiful building is to remain, a monument to the liberality of this State, of this city, of our fellow citizen who stands at the head of the society whose come this magnificent structure is to be.."
Then President Milburn returned his thanks to the members of the New York State Commission for their hearty cooperation in all that has pertained to the welfare, the progress and the success of the Exposition.
Chairman Lockwood then introduced as "orator of the day" Hon. J. Sloat Fassett, who was given a very cordial, a very enthusiastic greeting. Senator Fassett spoke extempore and made one of the best addresses which has been heard since the Exposition, with its formal openings and ceremonies, opened.
President Langdon of the Historical Society was then introduced. He closed the exercises of the day with a brief speech of thanks to the State of New York and the city of Buffalo for the rich gift to the Historical Society.
All the furniture, rugs and hangings in the corridors, galleries and statuary hall, in the dining room, Governor's room, office and room of the Daughters of the American Revolution, are from the warerooms of D. E. Morgan & Son, Allen Company, and the colonial rug used on the floor of the room of the Daughters of the American Revolution is manufactured by the Morgan Carpet Cleaning and Rug Weaving Works.