116 Transactions of the American Institute. 



THE ORIGIN OF INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS IN THE 

 CITY OF NEW YORK. 



AN ADDRESS BEFORE THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE ON THE 29th OF 



APRIL, 1871. 



By Mr. Joseph P. Simpson. 



Gentlemen of the American Institute. — I now undertake to dis- 

 charge an engagement, some years since contemplated, of presenting 

 a statement concerning the origin of industrial exhibitions in this 

 city, and I may say in the United States. I regret that physical 

 infirmity prevented my doing so before this, and now it will be but 

 feebly performed. The subject seemed to be of such a nature that 

 the American Institute was thought to be the proper place for its 

 delivery. The indulgence of my audience for its imperfection in 

 matter and manner is craved. • 



Fairs are of great antiquity. The city of Tyre was a celebrated 

 place for holding them, but these, as well as all others early held in 

 Europe, were for the display and sale of merchandise. The idea of 

 merchants and manufacturers exhibiting the products of their labor 

 for competition was not thought of. It was then only a display of 

 attractive articles to suit the taste of the visitors that attended them. 

 It was left for the city of New York, by the organization of the 

 New York Mechanic and Scientific Institution, to open to' the indus- 

 trial world a new mode to stimulate skill and workmanship in the 

 fabrication of all those useful and elegant articles which greatly 

 increase the convenience of comfort of every community. 



In the month of October, 1821, nearly fifty years ago, a circular 

 was sent by the late Professor John Griscom to the leading master 

 mechanics of this city, inviting them to. meet at his rooms in the 

 then alms-house, situated on Chambers street, where the new court 

 house is being erected. This invitation was responded to by a large 

 number of the prominent mechanics, mostly members of the General 



