The Great Central Fair of 1864.

HISTORY

The Great Central Fair took place from June 7 until June 28 of 1864[1] in the Logan Circle park in Philadelphia. It was inspired by past sanitary fairs that happened throughout the United States to raise funds for the United States Sanitary Commission.

The main exhibit building was 200,000 square feet in size. It was designed by Samuel Honeyman Kneass and William Stickland. There was also Union Street which was 540 feet long and ran in the middle of the fair. Union Street was compared to a cathedral by Charles J. Stille. Inside the main building were “departments” with different themes. Themes included the neighboring states of New Jersey and Delaware, themes about corn and sewing, a restaurant and parlor, as well as weaponry, fine art, curiosities, transportation and children’s subjects.