Pan-American Exposition Sights - Then & Now

Part I: The New York State Building


Visitor snapshop of the New York State Building during the Exposition, 1901. Photo credit: collector Dale Rossi.

All of the buildings at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo were built to be temporary except one, that of the
New York State exhibit. The legislature initially approved $25,000 for the erection of a temporary building, but a
Buffalo legislator later had the appropriation changed to $100,000 toward construction of a permanent structure
that eventually would be turned over to the Buffalo Historical Society. The Society contributed $45,000 and the
city of Buffalo $25,000 for a building to be constructed on park lands. Buffalo architect George Cary won the
design competition and construction began in June 1900. Construction costs were contracted for $160,000.

Detail of the same entrance to the New York State Building, 1901. The plaster sculpture in front of the entrance was
entitled "Aspiration" and was created by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.

The Neo-classical Revival building is covered in Vermont marble. Construction took longer because of its
permanent nature, and the New York Building did not open to the public until July 1, 1901, two months after the
Exposition opened. Nevertheless, it was very popular with its intended visitors, New Yorkers, and 118, 554 visitors
signed the guest books by the end of October when the Exposition closed.

2006 view of the same entrance. Note the sculptured blocks over the windows, features added in 1929

On January 2, 1902, the Buffalo Historical Society received the deed to the building and it became known as the permanent home
of the Buffalo Historical Society (in 2006, called the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society). The building's east and west wings
were expanded in the late 1920's by George Cary. His design and the use of the same Vermont marble created a virtually
seamless alteration.

1901 south view of the New York State Building facing the "Park Lake."

The New York State Building was a ceremonial venue for special events such as the lunch for President McKinley on
September 5, 1901, the day before his assassination. It was also used for meetings of state and regional organizations
that held their annual conventions in Buffalo during the Exposition's run. And, as a state headquarters like the other
state buildings, it provided space for state visitors to rest, meet with friends or relatives from other areas, eat their lunch,
and enjoy the artwork displayed in the various rooms.

Same view in 2006, facing Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park. Landscaping changes reflect the creation of the Japanese Garden.

The "Pan-Am" building, as the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society calls it, is a National Historic Landmark.
Since the addition of the 1920's, the building has undergone several major refurbishings and restorations, the most
recent in 2003 to repair water damage and improve drainage to the south side above. The building continues to provide
exhibit space for permanent and temporary exhibits as it has since 1902. And its assembly room provides local groups
with meeting space.