e colorings in peculiar combinations gave a quaint
appearance to the building, and added much to its attractiveness.

From the broad front piazza through an entrance the visitor was
introduced to State hall. The hall was set with lofty columns in
colonial style. A writing room was on the east and a reading room on the
west; between, a broad stairway led to the upper stories. The suite was
in Doric detail. Opening from the southerly section of the hallway were
the ladies' parlor, the smoking room, and information bureau. The
stairway was a reproduction of a notably beautiful construction in old
Providence Bank Building and the Brown-Gammell house. A curious feature
of its design were the balusters, which were fashioned in nine different
patterns.

The finish of the second floor was from excellent models of the Ionic
order found in old colonial mansions in Newport and Bristol. On either
side of the hall were the executive and commissioners' rooms. Prominent
among the features of the building was the stained-glass window at the
second-story landing of the stairway. The design for this window was the
result of a competition by the students of the Rhode Island School of
Design. On either side, suitably reproduced as to design and coloring,
were the seals of the State of Rhode Island and the city of Providence.

By an ingenious arrangement of the gable construction a roof garden was
provided, a broad stairway leading thereto from the second floor. A part
of the roof garden was set aside for a suite for servants' quarters,
breakfast room, kitchen, pantry, and storage. Apart from the sleeping
quarters the entire building was devoted to public use. The furnishings,
decoration, and equipment of the Rhode Island Building represented many
public-spirited contributions. The building cost $26,000, and the
furnishing and equipment, which were contributed, were estimated to have
cost $6,000. On July 4, 1904, the Rhode Island Building was purchased by
Mr. John Ringen, of St. Louis. It was the first building on the grounds
to be disposed of. Mr. Ringen transferred the building intact to his
country estate for a residence.

In April, 1903, the legislature of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations enacted a measure providing for a State exhibit,
and appropriated $35,000 for the purpose of the same. It was
subsequently found that the sum appropriated would not be sufficient for
the purpose, and in April, 1904, the legislatu