Eepoet of Board ov Gtknekal Maxa^kks. 93 



Within its walls were gathered, in addition to works of art having a 

 special appropriateness to its scheme of decoration, articles of interest, 

 paintings, etc., illustrating the history and notable characteristics of the 

 State. The magniticeut proportions and tliu elaborate plan of external 

 and internal decoration adopted for the structure were eminently 

 appropriate to the representative cliaracter which it possessed at the 

 World's Fair. Belonging to the period of the new birth of learning 

 and of art, out of which grew the conditions that made the discovery by 

 Columbus possible, it was a visible embodiment of the taste, the refine- 

 ment and the wealth of the Florence of the Medici, and stood for some 

 of the noblest ideals that have sprung from the union of a lucrative 

 commerce with an enlightened civic pride. In the estimation of the 

 most discriminating judges, no more fitting representation could liave 

 been made of the presence of the State of New York at the congress 

 of nations. Obviously, therefore, one of the subjects which first 

 demanded the attention of the board, after its organization, was the 

 adoption of plans for the State building, inasmuch as the time had 

 nearly expired within which, under the rules of the exposition, tliese 

 should be filed, and as it was contemplated that all building operation, 

 in Jackson Park should be completed in time for the dedicatory services 

 in October, 1892. The space reserved was at once accepted, and, ten 

 days after the first meeting of the board, plans for the State building 

 were submitted by Messrs. McKim, Mead & White, architects of 'Sew 

 York city. To invite and consider competitive plans in so short a time 

 was out of the question, and the only course open to the board was to 

 select architects of acknowledged eminence and to commit to them the 

 work of designing such a building as would fitly represent the Empire 

 State. The board was fortunate in being able to secure the services of 

 Messrs. McKim, Mead & White. These gentlemen, as architects of 

 the Agricultural Building, were thoroughly familiar with the conditions 

 governing the erection of the exposition structures, and made the execu- 

 tion of the work committed to them a matter of State as well as pro- 

 fessional pride. The plans were finally approved May i, 1892, after 

 being amended in harmony with the suggestions of the board, and 

 specifications were ordered to be prepared in conformity with them. 



For the purpose of opening bids and awarding the contract for the 

 erection of the State building, a meeting of the board was held in 

 Chicago on June 3, 1892. The lowest bidders were found to be the 

 George A. Fuller Company of Chicago, and a contract was accordingly 



