There were placed upon exhibition several hundred volumes containing the chief publications of members of the various faculties, also reprints of scientific articles, these and a series of books showing the work of the university bindery.

The engineering department was represented by numerous rolls of large-scale blueprints, by an album of photographs specially prepared, and by a large and attractive sample board of student shop-work.  To illustrate the equipment in marine engineering there were presented two models of vessels and a model of the large marine tank which is now in process of completion.

In the Educational Building could also be found cabinets showing the method of collecting vital statistics of the department of the State of Michigan and cabinets exhibiting the work of the School for the Feeble-Minded, of Kalamazoo, and a cabinet of the School for the Deaf and Dumb, of Flint.

A Michigan furniture company, interested in the exposition through the efforts of the commission, expended over $25,000 in the installation of a magnificent exhibit of furniture in the Department of Varied Industries, making the most complete collection of furniture shown by any American firm.

MINNESOTA.

The matter of the participation of Minnesota at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was brought to the attention of the State legislature at a special session in 1902, and it responded with an appropriation of $50,000.  This bill was chapter 87, and was approved March 11, 1902.  In January, 1903, Governor Samuel R. Van Sant appointed as the board of three managers authorized by the law Mr. Conde Hamlin, of St. Paul, Mr. Theo.  L. Hays, of Minneapolis, and Mr. J.M.  Underwood, of Lake City.

At the time of the appropriation it was expected that the exposition would be held in 1903.  It, however, grew in magnitude and scope far beyond the original designs of its projectors.  The board organized by the election of Mr. Hamlin as president, Mr. Underwood as vice-president, and Mr. Hays as secretary.  Charles S. Mitchell, of Alexandria, was elected superintendent and executive officer, to have immediate charge of exhibits and to carry out the plans of the board.

A site for Minnesota’s building was selected, and space was reserved in the great exhibit palaces of Mines and Metallurgy, Education, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry, Game, and Fish.

Subsequently, on April 1, 1903, a further appropriation of $100,000 was voted by the Minnesota legislature.

The style of the Minnesota State Building resembled the Byzantine.  It was designed for a southern climate.  The entire lower floor could be thrown open by means of large glass doors opening upon corridors and a wide promenade, which was protected by awnings.  A low wall surmounted this promenade, broken at intervals by abutments, on which were placed large vases of flowering plants.  This added color, and with the beds of cannas, which extended along the base of this wall, and large beds of brilliant scarlet geraniums on the lawn, made a handsome setting for the building.  These plants were Minnesota grown.  The cannas grew to huge proportions, and at the height of the season there were few landscapes on the Plateau of States more effective than that of Minnesota.