What happened at the Great Exhibition of 1851?
Church and works outings from across the country were organised to see the “Works of Industry of All Nations” all housed in Paxton’s sparkling Crystal Palace. The Great Exhibition of 1851 ran from May to October and during this time six million people passed through those crystal doors.
Where did Charlotte Bronte visit the Great Exhibition in 1851?
Charlotte Bronte was one of millions who visited the Great Exhibition in the “Crystal Palace” at Hyde Park in 1851. This is her eyewitness account. The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations ran from 1 May to 15 October 1851 in the specially constructed Crystal Palace,...
When was the Great Exhibition of the works of industry?
The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations was officially opened with an elaborate ceremony at noon on May 1, 1851. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert rode in a procession from Buckingham Palace to the Crystal Palace to personally open the Great Exhibition.
Who announced the opening of the Great Exhibition?
Queen Victoria, in a pink gown, stood with Prince Albert and announced the opening of the Great Exhibition. Getty Images. The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations was officially opened with an elaborate ceremony at noon on May 1, 1851.
See more
Who was involved in the Great Exhibition?
Displays from Sweden, Norway and Denmark. More than six million people — equivalent to a third of the entire population of Britain at the time — visited the exhibition during its relatively short opening period between 1 May and 11 Octover 1851.
What countries were in the Great Exhibition in 1851?
Great ExhibitionGreat Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All NationsCountryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandCityLondonVenueHyde Park, LondonCoordinates51°30′11″N 0°10′12″W15 more rows
How many people went to the Great Exhibition 1851?
six million peopleThe exhibition's huge success confounded the predictions of its many doubters in parliament and the press: it was visited by over six million people (equivalent to a third of the British population at that date), and generated a vast profit of £186,000.
What happened in the Great Exhibition of 1851?
The Great Exhibition of 1851 ran from May to October and during this time six million people passed through those crystal doors. The event proved to be the most successful ever staged and became one of the defining points of the nineteenth century.
How many countries participated in the Great Exhibition?
In the technical quality of the exhibits, Britain succeeded in its unspoken aim of outclassing the work of the thirteen European countries, thirteen American countries, and seven others from around the world who participated in addition to the various British colonies.
Why was the Great Exhibition so popular?
The Great Exhibition aimed to show that technology was the key to a better future, a belief that proved a motivating force behind the Industrial Revolution.
Is it still possible to visit the Great Exhibition today?
You can still visit the footprint of the original building in Hyde Park, marked out by plaques on the pavement near South Carriage Drive. The second iteration of the palace was reopened by Queen Victoria in 1854 and sadly destroyed by fire in 1936.
Does the Crystal Palace still exist?
Crystal Palace, giant glass-and-iron exhibition hall in Hyde Park, London, that housed the Great Exhibition of 1851. The structure was taken down and rebuilt (1852–54) at Sydenham Hill (now in the borough of Bromley), at which site it survived until 1936.
What did Canada send to the Great Exhibition?
Canada sent a fire engine with painted panels showing Canadian scenes, and a trophy of furs. India contributed an elaborate throne of carved ivory, a coat embroidered with pearls, emeralds and rubies, and a magnificent howdah and trappings for a rajah's elephant.
What was inside the Great Exhibition?
The exhibits There were some 100,000 objects, displayed along more than 10 miles, by over 15,000 contributors. Britain, as host, occupied half the display space inside, with exhibits from the home country and the Empire.
Did the Great Exhibition burn down?
It was 80 years ago today, on 30 November 1936, that the Crystal Palace in London was destroyed by a fire. Originally built as the centrepiece of the Great Exhibition of 1851 – the first ever World Expo – the historic building enjoyed a second life in Sydenham for 82 years before succumbing to its fate.
Who participated in the Crystal Palace exhibition?
The new site was also the location of one of Charles Spurgeon's sermons, without amplification, before a crowd of 23,654 people on 7 October 1857. In 1895, the African Exhibition at the Crystal Palace included African animals, birds and reptiles, and a group of eighty Somalis.
What was inside the Great Exhibition?
The exhibits There were some 100,000 objects, displayed along more than 10 miles, by over 15,000 contributors. Britain, as host, occupied half the display space inside, with exhibits from the home country and the Empire.
Where was the Great Exhibition 1851 held?
LondonGreat Exhibition / Locationhistory of world's fairs world's fair began with Britain's Great Exhibition (formally, the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations; often called the Crystal Palace Exhibition), held in London's Hyde Park in 1851.
When and where was the Great Exhibition held?
The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations was held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, from May 1 to October 15, 1851.
Who was the driving force behind the Great Exhibition of 1851?
The Great Exhibition 1851. by Ben Johnson. It is Queen Victoria ’s husband Albert who is normally credited with being the driving force behind the Great Exhibition of 1851, but it appears that just as much praise for organising this remarkable event should also be bestowed upon one Henry Cole. At the time Henry’s day job was as an assistant record ...
How many people went through the Great Exhibition of 1851?
The Great Exhibition of 1851 ran from May to October and during this time six million people passed through those crystal doors. The event proved to be the most successful ever staged and became one of the defining points of the nineteenth century. Not only was the event self-financing, it even turned in a small profit.
Why did the Royal Commission set up the Royal Commission?
They wanted it to be for All Nations, the greatest collection of art in industry, ‘for the purpose of exhibition of competition and encouragement’, and most significantly it was to be self-financing. Under increasing public pressure the government reluctantly set up a Royal Commission to investigate the idea.
What was the original purpose of the World Fair?
Although the original aim of the world fair had been as a celebration of art in industry for the benefit of All Nations , in practice it appears to have been turned into more of a showcase for British manufacturing: more than half the 100,000 exhibits on display were from Britain or the British Empire.
Why did Henry and Albert want an exhibition?
They wanted it to be for All Nations, the greatest collection of art in industry, ‘for the purpose of exhibition of competition and encouragement’, and most significantly it was to be self-financing.
When was Paxton's Palace destroyed?
After being put to a variety of uses in the years that followed, the building was finally destroyed by fire on the 30th November 1936. The flames are said to have lit up the night sky and were visible for miles.
When was the Great Exhibition of Victoria?
But the work was completed on time and the Great Exhibition was opened by Queen Victoria on 1st May 1851. The exhibits included almost every marvel of the Victorian age, including pottery, porcelain, ironwork, furniture, perfumes, pianos, firearms, fabrics, steam hammers, hydraulic presses and even the odd house or two.
Who was the first editor of the Great Exhibition of 1851?
Britain's Great Exhibition of 1851. Robert J. McNamara is a history expert and former magazine journalist. He was Amazon.com's first-ever history editor and has bylines in New York, the Chicago Tribune, and other national outlets. The Great Exhibition of 1851 was held in London inside an enormous structure of iron and glass known as ...
Who was the founder of the Great Exhibition?
Heritage Images/Getty Images. The idea of the Great Exhibition originated with Henry Cole, an artist, and inventor. But the man who ensured the event happened in spectacular fashion was Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria .
What was the name of the building that housed the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations?
The building to house the exhibit, which was quickly dubbed the Crystal Palace, was constructed of prefabricated cast iron and panes of plate glass.
What caused the Crystal Palace to collapse?
Nothing like the Crystal Palace had ever been built, and skeptics predicted that wind or vibration would cause the colossal structure to collapse.
How big was the Crystal Palace?
Designed by architect Joseph Paxton, the building itself was a marvel. The Crystal Palace was 1,848 feet long and 454 feet wide and covered 19 acres of London's Hyde Park. Some of the park's stately trees were too big to move, so the enormous building simply enclosed them.
How many exhibitors were there at the Great Exhibition?
The total number of exhibitors was about 17,000, with the United States sending 599.
How many people attended the World's Fair in 1851?
In five months, from May to October 1851, six million visitors thronged the gigantic trade show, marveling over the latest technology as well as displays of artifacts from around the world. The stunning display of inventions, works of art, and objects collected in distant lands was something of a precursor of a World's Fair.
How many people attended the Great Exhibition?
Despite some initial negative press, approximately six million people attended the Great Exhibition. That equates to roughly one-third of the British population at the time. Famous names who reportedly attended include Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, George Elliott, Charlotte Brontë, and Samuel Colt, among others.
What did Queen Victoria call the opening of the Great Exhibition?
Queen Victoria called the opening "a day to live forever.". Victoria 's third season has been building to Prince Albert's crowning achievement, the Great Exhibition of 1851. Here's what the groundbreaking fair of technology and innovation looked like in real life:
Why did Prince Albert want to spend his profits on the exhibition?
Prince Albert declared that the profits were to "increase the means of industrial education and extend the influence of science and art upon productive industry ," and per the Guardian, the commission which helped to plan the exhibition "was continued in perpetuity to spend these profits."
How long did it take to build the Crystal Palace?
In total, preparations for the Great Exhibition, which included not only selecting the location in Hyde Park, but also designing, manufacturing, and building the inconic Crystal Palace, took just 16 months . The structure was designed by Joseph Paxton, and heavily influenced by his interest in greenhouses. Following the Great Exhibition, the structure was dismantled and rebuilt in south east London, where it was reopened in June of 1854 as a popular attraction. Eventually, it burned down in November of 1936.
Who was Prince Albert's president?
Cole and Prince Albert were introduced through the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Albert served as the organization's president, and Cole was a member. Per the Victoria & Albert Museum, Cole "persuaded Prince Albert that an international exhibition in London would educate the public ...
When was the Crystal Palace burned down?
Eventually, it burned down in November of 1936. See a few images depicting the Crystal Palace below: A scene of the interior of the Great Exhibition. Hulton ArchiveGetty Images.
When did the V&A Museum open?
Per the V&A museum, these items would "form the core" of the Museum of Manufactures, which first opened in 1852, with Henry Cole as its director. That museum would eventually become what is now known as the V&A.
Who was the director of the Great Exhibition of 1851?
A Tour of the Great Exhibition of 1851. by Bob McGlincy, director, business management at Willwork Global Event Services. “Those who are so fortunate to see it hardly know what most to admire. Around them, amidst them, above their heads, was all that was beautiful and useful in nature and in art.
How many people attended the first exposition?
Queen Victoria opened this first international exposition on May 1, 1851. She was accompanied by her husband, two children, and 25,000 VIPs who paid a premium for the privilege to be there on day one. Estimates of the size of the crowd standing outside varied from 300,000 to 500,000.
What were the items that were displayed at the telegraph show?
Exhibited items at the show included ironwork, firearms, furniture, fabrics, tinned food, steam engines, locomotives, hydraulic presses, printing presses, telescopes, pianos, an electric telegraph, a reaping machine, microscopes, a telegraph, vulcanized rubber, the first voting machine, musical and surgical instruments, as well as the precursor to the fax machine.
What was the middle display of the American Pavilion?
The United States exhibition area. The middle display was vulcanized rubber. The organ above was British, and moved there after show opening. At the far end of the Foreign Nave, was the U.S. area, or the American Pavilion Display; it was the third largest exhibit area on the floor.
How many copies of the London Times were printed in one hour?
A printing press produced a thousand copies of the London Times in one hour. There was a voting machine, an envelope folding machine that also glued the envelopes and a cigarette machine. There were artificial teeth made out of hippopotamus, as well as teeth that could swivel so the user could yawn.
What was around them, amidst them, above their heads, and what was beautiful and useful in nature and in?
Around them, amidst them, above their heads, was all that was beautiful and useful in nature and in art. Above them rose a glittering arch, far more lofty and spacious than even our noblest cathedrals.”. London Times, May 2, 1851. Queen Victoria opened this first international exposition on May 1, 1851.
What are some examples of Crystal Palaces?
Immediate examples were: The Cork Exhibition of 1852; the Dublin Exhibition of 1853; the New York Exhibition of 1853; and the Munich Exhibition of 1854. The last three all had their own imitation Crystal Palaces.
What was the importance of the Great Exhibition?
The Great Exhibition provided an ideal opportunity for Latter-day Saints in Britain to gather together in London where they could not only examine the exhibits but also participate in inspirational meetings. For many ordinary people the burgeoning railway network that had grown in the 1840s made travel possible from all corners of the country for the first time. Elder Richards reminded members to secure accommodations early, as London would be inundated with visitors and lodgings would be difficult to find. Most English Saints were working class, but the exhibition commissioners reduced admission to a shilling to enable poor people to attend, and even miserly Victorian employers gave their workers a day off to visit Hyde Park. Elder Kelsey, meanwhile, was inviting missionary elders from all over Europe to London, and he published in the Millennial Star eight addresses in the city where branches of the Church could be found. 24
What were the missions of 1851?
The missionaries of 1851 were alive to the possibilities raised by thousands and thousands of enquiring visitors from all parts of Britain and many other nations descending upon their area. They saw three different opportunities in Exhibition London: Firstly, to share their message of a religious restoration in an attempt to gain more converts; secondly, to strengthen members of the Church in London by having special conferences with apostolic speakers; and thirdly, to improve their education and simply have some fun. The Great Exhibition was opened by Queen Victoria on May 1, 1851, and Apostle Erastus Snow and missionary Eli B. Kelsey went to pains to secure themselves a good vantage point from which they could view the royal procession. 6
How many letters were written to the commissioners of the Great Exhibition?
16. The Archive of the Commissioners of the Great Exhibition contains 870 letters written to the commissioners in 1850 and 1851 with no correspondence from any Latter-day Saints. Nor is any such correspondence is recorded in the Millennial Star.
When was the London Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held?
Half-Yearly Report of the London Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Held in the City of London, Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th, 1851 (London: J. B. Franklin, 1851), 5, Church Archives.
Where is the Hyde Park meetinghouse?
Of great consequence to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on a site directly opposite the Science Museum and right next to the Victoria and Albert Museum, within the boundary of the parcel of land purchased by the Great Exhibition Commissioners, the Hyde Park meetinghouse (fig. 3) was erected and dedicated in 1961. 39 This building stands, not in the least incongruously, amid some renowned and impressive public architecture. The building is a source of pride and a place of worship to thousands of local members and visitors from all corners of the globe. It has served as a ward and stake meetinghouse, a mission headquarters, an Institute of Religion venue, and a Family History Center that has, over the years, blessed thousands of souls. Prophets and Apostles from the time of David O. McKay to the present day have taught, trained, and testified on the ground trodden by their dedicated spiritual forebears of 1851.
Who were the two people who were in the Hyde Park area of London?
Subsequent events in the Hyde Park area of London would have brought broad smiles to the faces of Eli B. Kelsey and Franklin D. Richards, and serve as a reminder of the tenacity and staying power of the Latter-day Saint cause.
When was Crystal Palace first used?
2. The term “Crystal Palace” first appeared in Punch 19 (November 2, 1850): A.
Where was the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations?
The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations ran from 1 May to 15 October 1851 in the specially constructed Crystal Palace, designed by Joseph Paxton and built at Hyde Park in central London.
What was the profit of the Victoria and Albert Museum?
Serving as a showcase for British inventions and manufactures, it has become a symbol of the Victorian age, and the £ 186,000 profit it made was used to found the Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum and Natural History Museum.
Where was the Great Exhibition of 1851?
The Great Exhibition of 1851 in The Crystal Palace at Hyde Park was arguably the pinnacle of showing off Victorian Britain (in all its might, power, status, splendour and beauty) all in the luxury and elegance as befitted the world’s greatest empire and power at the height of the British Empire. It was a marvellous opportunity ...
Why was the Great Exhibition of 1851 important?
So, The Great Exhibition of 1851, therefore, in conclusion, was a very important event not just for science and technology but for religion also too and that the varied and mixed responses highlight and illuminate this .
How long were the Great Exhibitions and World's Fairs?
There were a succession and series of Great Exhibitions’ and World’s Fairs from 1851 to 1939 never matching in a real way the grandeur and splendour or popularity or success of the initial landmark 1851 Great Exhibition. Exhibitions grew in strength and power and number in a way that was both gradual and hesitant but also was going to happen whether or not regardless of circumstance or situation [ 34] Exhibitions were both very expensive to run, but also had amazing potential as a centre for business and earning economic potential. “They were intended to distract, indoctrinate, and unify a population” [ 35] The Imperial displays at exhibitions filled a role which had been relentlessly demeaned undermined or sentimentalised since the fall of the orthodoxy conservative. European society and culture was very mixed up and muddled and conflicting and differing and confused in its intentions and purposes “…The coming together of contradictory values at the exhibitions, whereby positive notions of progress were buttressed against organised oppression and exploitation, says much about the plural morality in operation throughout European culture at the time. Ultimately, as with a vast number of cultural artefacts, it must be concluded that the exhibitions embodied neither good nor evil in any simple sense but were a complex mixture of both…” [ 36] The Exhibitors rather than breaking down inequality and hatred maybe even strengthened and increased the endemic racism and exploitation and oppression “…one of the few levels where European Society operated in the absence of class was in the domain of racial prejudice. Messages phrased in consistent manner to all levels of society affirmed the inferiority of coloured people’s… with little good coming out of them in social, moral, or intellectual terms. [ 37] Before World War Two nations were able to put aside differences to exhibit together. Rather than cultivating understandings and cooperation’s as time went by nations refused and objected to exhibit with rival ideologies especially and particularly after WW2. [ 38] “…No international understanding, no growth of human fellowship, no reconciliation of peoples or nations…” [ 39] Art and fashion and architecture and design have gone downhill in quality and inventiveness and originality after WW2. [ 40] There was no massive greater equality for women in the twentieth century with regards to women exhibiting and being exhibited “…In fact this has not been the case, much of the twentieth century being little better than the nineteenth in terms of the presence of women artists in expositions, galleries and museums…” [ 41] It was wrong to overstate or over exaggerate The Fine Arts role in exhibitions and world’s fairs “…Having said this, without the fine arts, as elite and rarified as they were prone to be, the exhibitions would have lacked one of the conceptual elements which keep them perennially interesting…”. [ 42]
What was the purpose of the Victorian Britain exhibition?
The exhibition was meant to showcase and highlight and illuminate how young, exciting and inspirational Victorian Britain was and how it was full of great ideas and innovations- some of which were worldwide firsts and to be treasured and valued highly. The honour and glory of Victorian Britain was on full public display ...
Which class dominated the Great Exhibition of 1851?
The elite landed and titled upper and middle classes tended overwhelmingly to dominate and form the majority in high society events and exhibits such as the great science and technology on display at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and was no exception to this rule.
What was the honour and glory of Victorian Britain?
The honour and glory of Victorian Britain was on full public display and every class was somehow affected and involved. This essay will examine, describe and critically evaluate and explain the legacy of the Great Exhibition of 1851 which specific and special attention to science and technological impacts. The elite landed and titled upper and ...
