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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox Park<br />
| name = Memorial Hall<br />
| image =<br />
| image_caption = Memorial Hall with dome in West Fairmount Park<br />
| type = Historic building / Park site<br />
| location = Fairmount Park (West)<br />
| coordinates = 39.9790,-75.2100<br />
| area = Part of West Fairmount Park<br />
| established = 1876 (Centennial Exhibition)<br />
| operated_by = Please Touch Museum / Fairmount Park<br />
| features = Beaux-Arts building, Please Touch Museum, grounds<br />
| hours = Museum hours; grounds always accessible<br />
| transit = SEPTA bus 38<br />
| website = https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Memorial Hall''' is a monumental Beaux-Arts building in [[Fairmount Park|West Fairmount Park]], the only major structure remaining from the '''1876 Centennial Exhibition'''—America's first World's Fair. Originally built as the Exhibition's art gallery, the building now houses the '''Please Touch Museum''', a renowned children's museum. The surrounding grounds retain elements of the Centennial landscape.<ref name="memorial">{{cite web |url=https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/about/memorial-hall/ |title=Memorial Hall |publisher=Please Touch Museum |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref><br />
<br />
Memorial Hall connects Philadelphia to its role as the birthplace of America's World's Fair tradition.<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
=== Centennial Exhibition ===<br />
<br />
The '''1876 Centennial International Exhibition''' celebrated America's 100th birthday:<br />
* First official World's Fair in the United States<br />
* Held in Fairmount Park<br />
* 10 million visitors<br />
* Introduced Americans to new technologies (telephone, typewriter)<br />
* Showcased American industrial achievement<br />
<br />
=== Memorial Hall's Role ===<br />
<br />
Built as the '''Art Gallery''' for the Exhibition:<br />
* Housed fine arts displays<br />
* Designed to be permanent (unlike most fair buildings)<br />
* Cost $1.5 million (enormous sum in 1876)<br />
* Intended to become Philadelphia's art museum<br />
<br />
=== Architecture ===<br />
<br />
Designed by '''Hermann Schwarzmann''':<br />
* Beaux-Arts style<br />
* Iron and glass dome<br />
* Grand entrance pavilions<br />
* Fireproof construction (for art protection)<br />
* Renaissance revival details<br />
<br />
=== Post-Centennial ===<br />
<br />
After the Exhibition:<br />
* Served as Philadelphia's art museum until 1928<br />
* Art collection moved to new Philadelphia Museum of Art<br />
* Building used for various purposes<br />
* 2008: Please Touch Museum moved in after major renovation<br />
<br />
== Features ==<br />
<br />
=== The Building ===<br />
<br />
'''Architectural highlights:'''<br />
* Massive central dome (150 feet high)<br />
* Grand entrance stairs<br />
* Ornamental sculptures<br />
* Original ironwork and details<br />
* Restored interior spaces<br />
<br />
=== Please Touch Museum ===<br />
<br />
'''Children's museum''' occupying the building:<br />
* Interactive exhibits for children<br />
* Focus on learning through play<br />
* Multiple themed areas<br />
* Special programs and events<br />
* One of the country's premier children's museums<br />
<br />
=== Grounds ===<br />
<br />
'''Surrounding parkland:'''<br />
* Remnants of Centennial landscape<br />
* Open lawn areas<br />
* Mature trees<br />
* Picnic facilities<br />
<br />
=== Centennial District ===<br />
<br />
The area includes:<br />
* Ohio House (preserved Centennial state building)<br />
* Japanese Tea House site (original inspired Shofuso)<br />
* Horticultural Hall site (demolished)<br />
* Landscape features from 1876<br />
<br />
== Visiting ==<br />
<br />
=== Please Touch Museum ===<br />
<br />
'''Hours:'''<br />
* Check museum website for current hours<br />
* Closed some holidays<br />
* Timed tickets may be required<br />
<br />
'''Admission:'''<br />
* Museum admission fee<br />
* Memberships available<br />
* Free for children under 1<br />
<br />
=== The Building Exterior ===<br />
<br />
* Viewable anytime<br />
* Walk around for architecture appreciation<br />
* Grounds accessible during park hours<br />
<br />
=== Getting There ===<br />
<br />
'''Location:''' Avenue of the Republic, West Fairmount Park<br />
<br />
'''By Public Transit:'''<br />
* SEPTA Bus 38 to Memorial Hall<br />
<br />
'''By Car:'''<br />
* Parking lot adjacent to building<br />
* Enter Fairmount Park via Belmont Avenue<br />
<br />
=== Tips ===<br />
<br />
* Please Touch Museum is best for ages 7 and under<br />
* The building's architecture is impressive even without museum visit<br />
* Combine with Shofuso Japanese House nearby<br />
* The dome is beautiful from inside<br />
<br />
== Centennial Legacy ==<br />
<br />
Memorial Hall represents:<br />
* America's first World's Fair<br />
* Philadelphia's international moment<br />
* 19th-century civic ambition<br />
* Adaptive reuse success<br />
<br />
== Nearby ==<br />
<br />
* '''[[Shofuso Japanese House and Garden]]''' — West Fairmount Park<br />
* '''[[Fairmount Park]]''' — Surrounding park<br />
* '''[[Belmont Plateau]]''' — Views nearby<br />
* '''[[Mann Center]]''' — Performance venue<br />
* '''[[Philadelphia Zoo]]''' — Nearby<br />
<br />
== See Also ==<br />
<br />
* [[Fairmount Park]]<br />
* [[1876 Centennial Exhibition]]<br />
* [[Please Touch Museum]]<br />
* [[Shofuso Japanese House and Garden]]<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
* [https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org Please Touch Museum]<br />
* [https://myphillypark.org Fairmount Park Conservancy]<br />
<br />
{{#seo:<br />
|title=Memorial Hall Philadelphia - 1876 Centennial Building & Please Touch Museum<br />
|description=Guide to Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. Only surviving major building from 1876 Centennial Exhibition, now home to Please Touch Museum.<br />
|keywords=Memorial Hall Philadelphia, Please Touch Museum, 1876 Centennial Exhibition, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia World's Fair, Philadelphia children's museum<br />
|type=Article<br />
}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Parks]]<br />
[[Category:Historic Sites]]<br />
[[Category:Fairmount Park]]<br />
[[Category:Architecture]]<br />
[[Category:Museums]]<br />
[[Category:Family]]</div>Gritty