The New York Crystal Palace :: Architecture History

An Ode for the Inauguration of the American Crystal Palace The nations meet, not in war, but in peace, to a lower place this dome. They meet to bring glory to God on high and goodwill to men. The Crystal Palace is a symbol of the might of Man. Look on, ye Nations, and vow interminable peace and justice. -William R. Wallace (New York Times, July 14, 1853) When the first major international exhibition of arts and industries was held in London in 1851, the London Crystal Palace epitomized the achievements of the entire world at a time when progress was racing forward at a speed never before kn cause to mankind. The Great Exhibition marked the seed of a tradition of worlds fairs, which would be held in major cities all across the globe. Following the success of the London fair, it was inevitable that other nations would soon try their softwood at organizing their own exhibitions. In fact, the next international fair was held only two years later, in 1853, in New York City. T his fair would have its own Crystal Palace to symbolize not only the achievements of the world, but also the nationalistic pride of a relatively young nation and all that she stood for. Walt Whitman, the commodious American poet, wrote in The Song of the Exposition ... a Palace, Lofter, fairer, ampler than any yet, Earths modern wonder, Historys Seven out stripping, High rising tier on tier, with glass and compress facades, Gladdening the sun and sky - enhued in the cheerfulest hues, Bronze, lilac, robins-egg, marine and crimson Over whose golden roof shall flaunt, beneath thy banner, Freedom. The plan for an American Crystal Palace originated with Edward Riddle, a capital of Massachusetts auctioneer and carriage-maker. He assembled a group of New York bankers who had either visited or heard marvelous stories about the London exhibition and were more than willing to robe in a similar project in the United States. Riddle tried but failed to interest the famed entrepreneur, P.T. Barnum, in the project. The group of investors soon petitioned the jury of Aldermen in New York City for use of Madison Square, located in lower Manhattan where Broadway and Fifth Avenue meet at 23rd Street, to build a house of iron and steel for an Industrial Exhibition.