The New York Crystal Palace: an international exhibition of goods and ideas

The New York Crystal Palace, formally known as the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, 1853, opened in New York City on July 15, 1853, and lasted for two years. The exhibition was modeled after the first international exhibition, the London Crystal Palace of 1851. Both the New York Exhibition and the London Exhibition were direct inheritors of a Western European tradition of trade fairs, national displays, and educational exhibitions that began in antiquity and developed extensively from the medieval period onward. Both exhibitions shared the same aspiration to inform by using exhibits of authentic objects rather than displaying copies, models, or written descriptions. These kinds of displays were made possible by the plethora of objects available by the mid-nineteenth century and because of the ease of transporting them. As a result of its grace, economy, and ease of construction, the London building of iron and glass served as a prototype for the Americans. However, despite the selection of a successful model, the Americans were unable to copy the commercial success of the London Crystal Palace. America’s industrial infrastructure, politics, government, and geographic size, as well as youthful and limited global status, made financial success for the New York venture elusive. The New York display did make a large cultural impact, as evidenced by contemporary accounts of the event. These records, along with the history of the exhibition’s organization, are reflective of mid-century American attitudes. In particular, they reveal a new and intense interest in interpreting the meaning of contemporary man-made objects and the ways these objects represent mankind. As one preacher surmised, the New York Crystal Palace showed what the world was about.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Delaware

Year dc:date.issued

1990

Author dc:creator

• Jayne, Thomas Gordon

DOI

https://doi.org/10.58088/8r8v-fg07

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:udspace.udel.edu:19716/27169