The building was ample for its uses.  There was a reception room 30 by 50 feet in size, with reading tables, the files of the State papers, a post-office, check room, and superintendent’s office.  A men’s room and a women’s room, each 20 by 20 feet, opened from the reception room.  Two pianos were free for the use of guests, and were a much-appreciated feature.  Every possible convenience was afforded to visitors.  That the general public, as well as visitors from Minnesota, appreciated the building was shown by the hundreds who visited it daily and the many who came day after day to write letters, read the papers, or merely to rest and enjoy its coolness.  The location gave it added prominence, as it was near the southeast entrance, one of the most convenient for visitors, close to the Inside Inn, and with the Massachusetts, New York, Iowa, and Kansas buildings as neighbors.

The financial statement shows that the construction of the building, with furnishing, landscaping, maintenance, care, and salaries of employees, cost a total of less than $29,000.

In the agricultural display, while wheat was not neglected, especial stress was laid on Minnesota’s grasses, both tame and wild, and its general forage crops.  It was conceded by experts that no State made a better display in that line of products.  Corn was also made prominent.  Two elaborate butter models were shown, one in this department and one in the exposition refrigerator.

The State was fortunate in the location secured.  It was on one of the large central aisles and adjoining the great glass butter refrigerator, where were shown all the competing fancy butter exhibits from the various States.  On the same aisle or near by were the most splendid exhibits in this building, those of States that expended from $30,000 to $100,000 in that department alone, the latter figure being the expenditure of Missouri.  That Minnesota was able with $10,000 to make a showing that found credit and favor in comparison with these other much more elaborate and costly displays was surely commendable.

The central feature of the booth was a splendid piece of statuary in butter.  On a platform was placed an eight-faced glass refrigerator; it was 8 by 10 feet on the floor and 15 feet high.  The statue in butter filled this.  The square pedestal had at the four corners figures representing Agriculture, Education, Mining, and Dairying.  On the front face was the seal of Minnesota, and on the two side faces medallions of Alexander Ramsey and Samuel R. Van Sant.  The crowning figure was that of a mother giving to her little boy, who stood at her side, a piece of bread and butter.  Nearly a ton of the best creamery butter made in Minnesota was used in this model.