CHAPTER IV

Functions Held at the New York State Building

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The State building was generally recognized as the social center of the Exposition. Many functions were given throughout the season by the Commission in the name of the State, and the building was constantly in demand for private entertainments. The use of the building was freely granted by the Commission so long as the date did not conflict with that of an official function. To enumerate all of the social events taking place in the State building is not within the province of this Commission.

A list of the official and the more important unofficial functions is given below:

_Sat.u.r.day, April 30_. Opening day. A luncheon was given to members of the Commission and distinguished guests.

_Wednesday, May 4_. Luncheon given by the State Commission for Mrs.

Martin H. Glynn, of Albany, wife of National Commissioner Glynn, and for Mrs. John K. Stewart, wife of Commissioner Stewart. Ladies only were present. The guests were received by Mrs. Norman E. Mack, a.s.sisted by Mrs. Glynn, Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Dore Lyon.

_Friday, May 20_. Reception given by the State Commission to the New York State delegation to the National Editorial a.s.sociation, 9 to 11 P. M. The guests were received in behalf of the Commission by Commissioner and, Mrs. James H. Callanan, of Schenectady, and by Commissioner and Mrs. John C. Woodbury of Rochester, a.s.sisted by Mrs.

Dore Lyon.

_Monday, May 23_. Reception given by the National Society of New England Women. The guests were received by Mrs. Swinburn, of New York, the President of the Society, Mrs. John C. Woodbury and Mrs. James H.

Callanan.

_Tuesday, May 24_. Reception given by the State Commission to the Federation of Women's Clubs, 4 to 6 P. M.

_Wednesday, June 1_. Breakfast at 12 M. given by the State Commission to Miss Alice Roosevelt. Only ladies were present. The guests were received by Commissioner Mrs. Norman E. Mack, Mrs. James H.

Callanan, Mrs. John Young and Mrs. Dore Lyon. There were about 200 ladies present.

_Tuesday, June 7_. Ball given by President David R. Francis and Mrs. Francis in behalf of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to the West Point cadets, 9 to 12 P. M. Music was furnished by two bands stationed in the north and south galleries of the entrance hall.

Refreshments were served upon the verandas. Among the distinguished guests were General Nelson A. Miles and General H. C. Corbin.

_Sat.u.r.day, June 11_. Reception tendered by the Executive Commissioners' a.s.sociation to the State Commissioners and World's Fair officials. This was an informal affair for the purpose of bringing the States' representatives into closer relations. The receiving line consisted of Honorable J. A. Yerrington, President of the a.s.sociation; Mr. Charles A. Ball, President of the Executive Committee of the a.s.sociation; Mrs. F. B. Applebee; Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Conaway and Mr.

Stacey B. Rankin.

_Wednesday, June 15_. Luncheon by the State Commission in honor of Mrs. William Berri, wife of Vice-President Berri, and Miss Stern, of New York city. The guests were received by Commissioner Mrs. Norman E. Mack, Mrs. Berri and Miss Stern.

_Friday, June 18_. Dinner given at 7 P. M. by Mr. Louis Stern, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commission, in honor of President and Mrs. Francis. Mr. Stern was a.s.sisted in receiving by Miss Stern and Mrs. Norman E. Mack.

_Sat.u.r.day, June 25_. Dedication of the New York State building.

Exercises described in Chapter V.

_Thursday, June 30_. Reception given by the State Commission to officers and members of the Council of the National Educational a.s.sociation and to New York State teachers. The guests were received by Vice-President and Mrs. William Berri; Commissioner and Mrs. John K.

Stewart; Mrs. Dore Lyon; Honorable Howard J. Rogers, Chief of the Department of Education of the Exposition, and Mrs. Rogers; John W.

Cooke, president of the National Educational a.s.sociation; and Mrs.

DeLancey M. Ellis. An organ recital was played by S. H. Grover and refreshments were served in the grand hall.

_Monday, August 1_. Reception given by the Executive Commissioners'

a.s.sociation.

_Thursday, September 1_. Reception given by the Executive Commissioners' a.s.sociation.

_Thursday, September 8_. Reception given by Mrs. Dore Lyon to the Hostesses' a.s.sociation.

_Monday, September 12_. Electrical engineers tendered a reception to the visiting engineers a.s.sembled in convention on the Exposition grounds.

_Monday to Wednesday, October 3 to 5_. New York State week.

Exercises described in Chapter VI.

_Tuesday, October 11_. Reception given by the Liberal Arts Club.

_Friday, October 28_. Dinner given by Commissioner Frederick R.

Green, who was a.s.sisted in receiving by Commissioner Mrs. Norman E.

Mack.

_Tuesday, November 15_. Brooklyn day. Exercises described in Chapter VII.

_Sat.u.r.day, November 19_. Luncheon given by the Michigan Commission to the Governor-elect of Michigan. The invited guests included Vice-President William Berri and Secretary Charles A. Ball, of the New York State Commission.

_Monday, November 21_. Reception and ball given by the Beta Sigma Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. (This function was to have been held in the Missouri building. The use of the State building was extended on account of the destruction of the Missouri building by fire on Sat.u.r.day, November 19th).

_Tuesday, November 22_. Young people's dance. Courtesy to Missouri Commission on account of fire.

_Thursday, November 24_. Thanksgiving day. Exercises described in Chapter VIII.

_Friday, November 25_. Charity ball and Kirmess given by the ladies of St. Louis for the benefit of the Martha Parsons Free Hospital for Children of St. Louis, and for the fund for the Trades School for Girls of New York. The majority of the guests were in fancy costume. In addition to the regular dancing program there were special fancy dances.

_Monday, November 28_. Dinner given by the State Commission in honor of Honorable Oscar S. Straus and Mrs. Straus, and Honorable St.

Clair McKelway and Mrs. McKelway. Vice-President Berri of the Commission presided, and the guests were received by Vice-President and Mrs. Berri and Mrs. Norman E. Mack, a.s.sisted by the guests of honor.

In addition to the above entertainments two musicales were given under the auspices of Boellman Brothers; and the Pikers' Club, an organization composed of attaches of the State building, gave a minstrel performance at the Inside Inn on Monday evening, September nineteenth, for the benefit of the Model Playground and Day Nursery.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ON THE LAGOON]

CHAPTER V

Dedication Day

The New York State building was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on Sat.u.r.day, June twenty-fifth. The exercises were attended by Governor Odell and invited guests, members of the State Commission, Exposition officials, State and foreign representatives and many others.

PROGRAM FOR DEDICATION DAY

The program for the day was as follows:

10:30 A. M. Concert on Plaza in front of State building by Weil's band of St. Louis

11:30 A. M. Exercises in grand hallway, William Berri, Vice-President of the Commission, presiding