Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Interior, Exhibition Hall, Prince Alfred Park with French exhibit

Interior, Exhibition Hall, Prince Alfred Park with French exhibit

1875
Glass photonegative

The French Industrial Exhibition and Camellia Show opened in the Exhibition Hall, Prince Alfred Park, on 21 June 1875. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, 26 June 1875:

The exhibits generally partake more of the ornamental than the useful; in fact the Exhibition may be compared to a grand fancy bazaar … In the centre of the main court, next to the fountain, is a case of coloured tarlatans, which were examined with very much interest by lady visitors. These fabrics were of most excellent workmanship. The boots and shoes shown call for no special remark. They cannot compare with the generality of colonial workmanship.

From Illustrated Sydney News, 13 May 1869

THE infusion of new blood is said to possess an important influence. It certainly has done wonders in reviving the Metropolitan Agricultural Society, if, indeed, such a thing could be said to have existed prior to last year. It has been remarkably active during the past three months, and its late exhibition was one of the most successful of the kind ever known in Australia. An excellent site, PrinceAlfredPark, commonly known as the Cleveland Paddocks, was selected as the scene of the show. The Council of Education granted them the use of the fine Public School erected thereon, and the Corporation gave the use of what will in time be one of the finest parks in the city... [Illustrated Sydney News, 13 May 1869, p3]