Step 1 - Analyzing Images of the Centennial

In 1876, the centennial of the Declaration of Independence was celebrated by millions of Americans who visited a vast Exhibition held in Philadelphia. Many others knew of this event through widely distributed illustrations. Statues, exhibit halls, and the overall layout of the exhibition grounds were designed with care to facilitate the enjoyment of visitors and to speak to them about the nation and its achievements.

In this part of the lesson, examine images from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition as primary sources of the history of the event and its time.

The Centennial of 1876 represents America's telling the story of the nation's accomplishments to its citizens and to the rest of the world. Examine the images -- whether of buildings, monuments, works of art, machinery, or artifacts -- in light of this motive. What does each image say about our then 100-year-old nation? What did Americans want to say to the rest of the world in each of these products?

Use the Deciphering the Image page to draw hypotheses about America in 1876 and about what the nation chose to put on display during the Centennial celebration. (Requires: Adobe Acrobat Reader).

The Corliss Engine was useful as a source of power and important as a reflection of national pride. It was a large steam engine that stood in the center of the hall, dominating the space and siezing the attention of visitors, and supplying the power that drove the hundreds of machines on display in Machinery Hall of the Exhibition. Its importance was emphasized by its central position and imposing size, but also by the decision of the Exhibition organizers to officially open the celebration by having President Ulysses S. Grant and Emperor Dom Pedro of Brazil start the engine.

As a whole class, examine the example image in the column to the right. The Corliss Engine was perhaps the most impressive item displayed at the Centennial. Analyze this image by considering the questions on the Deciphering the Image worksheet. (Requires: Adobe Acrobat Reader). Choose one image from the collections listed below. You will be part of a collaborative team made up of 4-6 students who choose images from the same category. Fill out a Deciphering the Image sheet for your choice. (Requires: Adobe Acrobat Reader). Share the results of your study with your team. With your team, write three hypotheses about American life or ideas in 1876 which can be supported by evidence drawn from the study of two or more images. Report your results to your class. As a class, consider: What are the strengths of these images as historical evidence of American life or ideas in 1876? What are their weaknesses? What is "public history"? For further information, see descriptions and definitions from the Public History Resource Center. How did the exhibits at the Centennial Exhibition function as history for Americans in 1876? How do they function as history for you and your classmates in the twenty-first century? Read two or more written accounts by visitors to the Centennial on the Resources page. Be prepared to discuss the opinions expressed in these accounts. Image Collections Maps and Views of the Centennial Exhibition Monuments of the Centennial Exhibition Exterior Views of Buildings Interior Views of Buildings Items Displayed at the Centennial Exhibition Machines Displayed at the Centennial Exhibition Cartoons and Illustrations of the Centennial Exhibition

Lithograph showing the official start of America's 1876 celebration when Emperor Dom Pedro of Brazil and President Ulysses S. Grant opened the Centennial Exhibition by starting the Corliss Engine.

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