The most conspicuous feature of New York’s participation in the exposition was her State Building.  An excellent site was chosen for this structure, and a handsome building was erected in a conspicuous place on the plateau of the States on the exposition grounds.  The building occupied the most commanding site on the State plateau of any of the State buildings.  It also enjoyed the benefits of Forest Park, both in front and rear, which made it one of the coolest buildings on the grounds.

The building was simple, but dignified, in design; of Italian architecture in the colonial treatment.  Martini’s Quadriga flanked the dome, representing the progress or art and commerce, and Lenz’s dancing group was placed around the columns at the entrances.  A very large hall ran through to the dome, the lower part of which was treated in the Doric order, and the whole was scholarly, dignified, and beautiful in design.  Another interesting feature in the hall was the organ case, which was designed particularly for this place.  This hall was flanked on the northern side by a large assembly hall with a barrel ceiling running up to the second story, and the treatment of this room in old gold, Antwerp blues, and siennas was beautiful.  The draperies were in green velvet, and the chairs were of leather, treated to represent the old Spanish illuminated leather.  The floors were carefully made.  There were rooms for banquets or functions of any kind.  On the westerly side were the waiting rooms for men and women, writing rooms, and also retiring rooms and toilets.

The mural decorations of the large hall were done by Florian Peixotto, and represented De Soto discovering the Mississippi, one showing the French and Indian occupation of the land, and others showing New York in 1803 and New York in 1903.  The pendentives, which supported the dome, had four emblematic pictures representing the four States most benefited by the purchase, the blue Mississippi in the background of each.

The second story was divided into apartments for the commissioners and the offices of the secretary, which were perfect in appointments.  The suites were composed of parlor, bedroom, and baths.

A piano of great beauty, with inlays and paintings, was contributed by a leading New York manufacturer, a picture of Niagara Falls being particularly fine.  A company of New York contributed the organ as an exhibit, and concerts were given each afternoon of the fair.

The grounds received careful consideration, and there were many beds of flowers and shrubbery, such as lily ponds, poppy beds, hydrangeas, and cannae.

The amount of money appropriated by the State of New York for participation at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was $390,000.  There were no private subscriptions of any sort, but many exhibits were loaned to the commission from the various departments of the State to be displayed.  The cost of installing the various exhibits was $10,755.  This did not include the cost of labor in placing the exhibit, as the work was done by men who were employed by the State in the various departments.  The cost of transportation of exhibits was $12,342.  The State building cost $88,275.23 to erect.