University of Virginia Library

THE WOMANS' BUILDING.

This graceful structure was designed by a woman, and is to be controlled entirely by the Woman's Board. It will be furnished, decorated and filled with the products of woman's hands, and stands a proud monument to the skill and executive ability of the women of America. Its position on the grounds is next north of the Horticultural Building, at a point where the lagoon forms a bay about four hundred feet in width. From the center of this bay a grand landing and staircase leads to the summit of a terrace, six feet above the water. One crosses this terrace to meet other staircases that lead to the grand triple arched entrance in the center of the principal facade, above which entrance is an open colonade in the second story. The corner pavilions have each an open colonade added above the main cornice, which will be used as a garden and open air resort, a feature not included in the plan of any building on the ground.

A thoroughly Italian courtyard effect is produced in the interior, under the open rotunda, 70x65 feet in extent, protected by a highly ornamented skylight. This rotunda is surrounded by a two-story open arcade, through which, and from overhead, an abundance of light is admitted to all rooms facing the interior space. Opposite the main front is the library of books written by women. The Bureau of Information, statistics in regard to woman's occupations, headquarters for press correspondents, a clubroom for exhibitors and an assembly-room are some of the usages of space. One of the end pavilions,—the southern one,—is devoted to the retrospective exhibit on the first floor entire. Above stairs is a model kitchen, refreshment rooms and reception rooms, which lead to the open balcony in front. The retrospective exhibit consists of colonial relics, antique silver, old laces, fans and bric-a-brac articles. The northern pavilion contains exhibits by statistics and models, of the philanthropic, charitable and reformatory work of women all over the globe.

Within the main building, to the left of the grand entrance, is located a model hospital, and to the right a model kindergarten; each occupying 80x60 feet of space. The whole exhibit is strongly suggestive of the fact that woman is the helper, comforter and rescuer of humanity, and at the same time shows her capability, genius and courage.