World’s Fairs

Found, not built?

Exploring the hidden history of the exposition palaces

Philadelphia 1876Philadelphia 1876 gallery

1876 · Philadelphia, United States

Full fair gallery

121 photos from the Centennial Exposition: the grounds, each building, and what was lost. Tap a photo to look closer.

Colour

Grand United States centennial exhibition 1876- main building, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2001702133 — Grand United States centennial exhibition 1876- main building, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2001702133Popular Graphic Arts · Public domain

Main building, main avenue, by Centennial Photographic Co. — Main building, main avenue, by Centennial Photographic Co.Centennial Photographic Co. -- Photographer · Public domain

President Grant declaring the exhibition open at the centennial at Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, 1876 LCCN2006677401 — President Grant declaring the exhibition open at the centennial at Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, 1876 LCCN2006677401Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress · Public domain

Construction of the Netherlands department in the main exhibition building of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 — Construction of the Netherlands department in the main exhibition building of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876Centennial Photographic Co · Public domain

Department of Public Comfort at Centennial Exposition, 1876 — Department of Public Comfort at Centennial Exposition, 1876Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions

Grand United States centennial exhibition 1876- main building, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2001702133 — Grand United States centennial exhibition 1876- main building, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2001702133Popular Graphic Arts · Public domain

Netherlands and Brazil departments in the main exhibition building of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 — Netherlands and Brazil departments in the main exhibition building of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876Unknown photographer · Public domain

President Grant declaring the exhibition open at the centennial at Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, 1876 LCCN2006677401 — President Grant declaring the exhibition open at the centennial at Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, 1876 LCCN2006677401Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress · Public domain

Detail of Memorial Hall built for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania LCCN2011631161 — Detail of Memorial Hall built for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania LCCN2011631161Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain

Machinery Hall- grand United States centennial exhibition 1876, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2002709984 — Machinery Hall- grand United States centennial exhibition 1876, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2002709984Popular Graphic Arts · Public domain

Machinery Hall- grand United States centennial exhibition 1876, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2002709984 — Machinery Hall- grand United States centennial exhibition 1876, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2002709984Popular Graphic Arts · Public domain

Horticultural hall- grand United States centennial exhibition 1876. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2002699666 — Horticultural hall- grand United States centennial exhibition 1876. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia LCCN2002699666Popular Graphic Arts · Public domain

Horticultural Hall - Centennial international exhibition - 1876 - L. Aubrun. LCCN2012649948 — Horticultural Hall - Centennial international exhibition - 1876 - L. Aubrun. LCCN2012649948Hunter, Thomas (Lithographer) · Public domain

Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pa (NYPL b12647398-62195) — Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pa (NYPL b12647398-62195)Detroit Publishing Company · Public domain

Philadelphia Memorial Hall 20210715 — Philadelphia Memorial Hall 20210715Foolish Productions Photography · CC BY-SA 4.0

State buildings, New Hampshire Day — State buildings, New Hampshire DayUnknown photographer · Public domain

Connecticut building — Connecticut buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Agricultural Hall interior looking west — Agricultural Hall interior looking westCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Bird's-eye view from M.B. (Main building) — Bird's-eye view from M.B. (Main building)Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Centennial Opening-The orators — Centennial Opening-The oratorsLibrary Company of Philadelphia · No restrictions

Horticultural Hall — Horticultural HallUnknown photographer · Public domain

Horticultural Hall, east end — Horticultural Hall, east endCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Horticultural Hall interior from S. Gallery — Horticultural Hall interior from S. GalleryCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Bird's-eye view of Centennial Grounds from (...) R.R. Depot — Bird's-eye view of Centennial Grounds from (...) R.R. DepotUnknown photographer · Public domain

Pennsylvania Day — Pennsylvania DayLibrary Company of Philadelphia · No restrictions

Main building. Opening day — Main building. Opening dayUnknown photographer · Public domain

Vermont State building — Vermont State buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

M.B. (Main building) from south-east tower, looking north-east — M.B. (Main building) from south-east tower, looking north-eastCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, interior — Main building, interiorUnknown photographer · Public domain

Bird's-eye view from George's Hill — Bird's-eye view from George's HillCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Machinery Hall — Machinery HallUnknown photographer · Public domain

U.S. Gov't building from W. End — U.S. Gov't building from W. EndCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Machinery Hall, interior — Machinery Hall, interiorUnknown photographer · Public domain

Bird's-eye view of grounds, from Reservoir — Bird's-eye view of grounds, from ReservoirCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

New Jersey building — New Jersey buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Agri(cultural) Hall, north front — Agri(cultural) Hall, north frontCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Interior of Main building — Interior of Main buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Colossal hand and torch Liberty — Colossal hand and torch LibertyLibrary Company of Philadelphia · No restrictions

New Hampshire building — New Hampshire buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Agricultural Hall — Agricultural HallCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main buildling, interior — Main buildling, interiorUnknown photographer · Public domain

Spanish building — Spanish buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Main building, from Mach(inery) Hall — Main building, from Mach(inery) HallCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Horticultural Hall, interior — Horticultural Hall, interiorUnknown photographer · Public domain

Rhode Island State building — Rhode Island State buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Main building, East End — Main building, East EndCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Swedish school house, interior — Swedish school house, interiorUnknown photographer · Public domain

Panorama from the Reservoir — Panorama from the ReservoirUnknown photographer · Public domain

Pennsylvania State building — Pennsylvania State buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

U. S. Government building — U. S. Government buildingCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

U.S. Government building, interior — U.S. Government building, interiorUnknown photographer · Public domain

Bird's-eye view from Observatory. George's Hill, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia — Bird's-eye view from Observatory. George's Hill, Fairmount Park, PhiladelphiaUnknown photographer · Public domain

Horticultural Hall, south entrance — Horticultural Hall, south entranceUnknown photographer · Public domain

Memorial Hall — Memorial HallCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Agricultural Hall, interior — Agricultural Hall, interiorUnknown photographer · Public domain

Stereoscopic views of the Centennial Exhibition, 1876, Philadelphia — Stereoscopic views of the Centennial Exhibition, 1876, PhiladelphiaUnknown photographer · Public domain

Observatory. George's Hill — Observatory. George's HillUnknown photographer · Public domain

U.S. Government building. Transept, looking S — U.S. Government building. Transept, looking SCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Machinery Hall from Main building — Machinery Hall from Main buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Entrance to Centennial grounds — Entrance to Centennial groundsUnknown photographer · Public domain

Main building, West End — Main building, West EndCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Facade of the Netherlands section in the Main Building, 1876 — Facade of the Netherlands section in the Main Building, 1876Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, general view from west end — Main building, general view from west endCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Massachusetts State building — Massachusetts State buildingCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Brazil agriculture hall exp — Brazil agriculture hall expUnknown, currently archived by US Library of Congress · Public domain

Main buildling, general view from W. End — Main buildling, general view from W. EndUnknown photographer · Public domain

Woman's pavilion — Woman's pavilionUnknown photographer · Public domain

Mem(oria)l Hall, Annex. Netherlands Dept — Mem(oria)l Hall, Annex. Netherlands DeptCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

General views — General viewsUnknown photographer · Public domain

Belmont Avenue — Belmont AvenueUnknown photographer · Public domain

Main building from East End — Main building from East EndCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, main avenue, east end — Main building, main avenue, east endCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building (...) — Main building (...)Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, north avenue, east end — Main building, north avenue, east endCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Floral Hall. H.B. (Horticultural Building) — Floral Hall. H.B. (Horticultural Building)Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Fountain, Horticultural Hall? — Fountain, Horticultural Hall?Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, North Ave., looking west, April 6 — Main building, North Ave., looking west, April 6Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, north entrance — Main building, north entranceCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Italian dept., Memorial Hall, Annex — Italian dept., Memorial Hall, AnnexCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Netherlands (Dutch) pavilion in the Main Building of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in — Netherlands (Dutch) pavilion in the Main Building of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia inCentennial Photographic Co · Public domain

U.S. Government building, Main Avenue, looking E — U.S. Government building, Main Avenue, looking ECentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Memorial Hall, American Department — Memorial Hall, American DepartmentCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Horticultural Hall, from E. gallery — Horticultural Hall, from E. galleryCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building) from Grand Stand, looking N.-W — M.B. (Main building) from Grand Stand, looking N.-WCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, nave looking east — Main building, nave looking eastCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Agri(cultural) Hall, Main Avenue — Agri(cultural) Hall, Main AvenueCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M. B. from grand stand looking west — M. B. from grand stand looking westCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. from nave looking south (showing German exhibit - Königl. Porzellan Manufacture, Berlin) — M.B. from nave looking south (showing German exhibit - Königl. Porzellan Manufacture, Berlin)Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

U.S. Government building, Main Avenue, looking (west?) — U.S. Government building, Main Avenue, looking (west?)Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building), from north-west tower, looking south-east — M.B. (Main building), from north-west tower, looking south-eastCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Agricultural Hall nave — Agricultural Hall naveCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, South Avenue from East End — Main building, South Avenue from East EndCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, north side — Main building, north sideCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Agricultural Hall exhibit — Agricultural Hall exhibitCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

U.S. Gov't building, Main Avenue, looking west — U.S. Gov't building, Main Avenue, looking westCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main bulding, west end — Main bulding, west endCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Agri(cultural) Hall, nave looking north — Agri(cultural) Hall, nave looking northCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building), Main Avenue from East End — M.B. (Main building), Main Avenue from East EndCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building) from south-west tower, looking north-east — M.B. (Main building) from south-west tower, looking north-eastCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building) from west gallery, looking N.E. (north-east) — M.B. (Main building) from west gallery, looking N.E. (north-east)Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main? building, Main Avenue, looking — Main? building, Main Avenue, lookingCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Wisconsin State building — Wisconsin State buildingCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Agri(cultural) Hall nave — Agri(cultural) Hall naveCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Bartholdi fountain — Bartholdi fountainCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building) from northwest tower, looking east — M.B. (Main building) from northwest tower, looking eastCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Italian section, Memorial Hall, Annex — Italian section, Memorial Hall, AnnexCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Judges' Hall? — Judges' Hall?Unknown photographer · Public domain

Main building, from transept, looking s.-w — Main building, from transept, looking s.-wCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building from west gallery, looking north-east — Main building from west gallery, looking north-eastCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Vestibule, Memorial Hall — Vestibule, Memorial HallCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building), from East Gallery — M.B. (Main building), from East GalleryCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building) from south-east tower, looking north-west — M.B. (Main building) from south-east tower, looking north-westCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

M.B. (Main building), from E. Gallery — M.B. (Main building), from E. GalleryCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building, from Machinery Hall — Main building, from Machinery HallCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Art Gallery and Memorial Hall, March 7 — Art Gallery and Memorial Hall, March 7Centennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main entrance, Main building — Main entrance, Main buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Main building, from west tower, looking west — Main building, from west tower, looking westCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building. Transept from N. Gallery — Main building. Transept from N. GalleryCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

East entrance, Main building — East entrance, Main buildingUnknown photographer · Public domain

Main building, N(orth) Ave. from n.-w. tower — Main building, N(orth) Ave. from n.-w. towerCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain

Main building. Transept from S. Gallery — Main building. Transept from S. GalleryCentennial Photographic Co. · Public domain