Terrace of States entirely ready for the reception of guests on the
opening day of the Exposition. It was a structure thoroughly in keeping
with the dignity and prestige of the great Empire State. Of marked
simplicity in design, there was in its every line and appointment
evidence of the utmost refinement and culture.

The building was planned primarily for the comfort, accommodation and
convenience of visitors from the Empire State, for the holding of such
functions as the Commission were required to give in the name of the
State, and for the meetings of any associations or delegations from New
York attending the Exposition. It contained no exhibits of any kind, all
of the exhibits being placed in the main exhibit palaces under the
proper subdivision of the official classification.


THE ARCHITECTURE

The building was pure Italian in style, surmounted by a low dome and
surrounded by verandas and terraces. Through the main approach one
entered a large hall sixty feet square, running the full height of the
building, arched and domed in the Roman manner, with galleries around
the second story. From this hall ascended the grand staircase, both to
the left and to the right.


MURAL DECORATIONS

Under the four arches were handsome mural paintings, the work of Florian
Peixotto, illustrating "De Soto Discovering the Mississippi," "The
French and Indian Occupation," "New York in 1803," and "New York in