Memorial Hall
| Memorial Hall | |
|---|---|
| Type | Historic building / Park site |
| Location | Fairmount Park (West) |
| Coordinates | 39.9790,-75.2100 |
| Area | Part of West Fairmount Park |
| Established | 1876 (Centennial Exhibition) |
| Operated by | Please Touch Museum / Fairmount Park |
| Features | Beaux-Arts building, Please Touch Museum, grounds |
| Hours | Museum hours; grounds always accessible |
| Transit | SEPTA bus 38 |
| Website | Official Site |
Memorial Hall stands as a monumental Beaux-Arts structure in West Fairmount Park. It's the only major building left from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, which was America's first World's Fair. Built originally as an art gallery for that event, the building now houses the Please Touch Museum, one of the country's top children's museums. The grounds around it still show traces of the Centennial landscape.[1]
Through Memorial Hall, Philadelphia connects itself to the roots of America's World's Fair tradition.
History
Centennial Exhibition
In 1876, America threw a celebration. The 1876 Centennial International Exhibition marked the nation's 100th birthday with remarkable scope:
- First official World's Fair in the United States
- Held in Fairmount Park
- Drew 10 million visitors
- Introduced Americans to new technologies like the telephone and typewriter
- Showcased American industrial power to the world
Memorial Hall's Role
The building was created as the Art Gallery for the Exhibition. It wasn't meant to disappear when the fair ended, unlike most fair structures. That was unusual. The cost ran to $1.5 million, an enormous sum for 1876, because planners intended it to become Philadelphia's art museum after the event closed. It housed fine arts displays during the fair and was built with fireproof construction to protect valuable art.
Architecture
Hermann Schwarzmann designed this structure with ambitious scope. The style was Beaux-Arts, featuring an iron and glass dome, grand entrance pavilions, and Renaissance revival details throughout. The fireproof construction itself became a design feature, not just a practical requirement. It protected both the artwork and the building's longevity.
Post-Centennial
After 1876, the building served Philadelphia's art interests for decades. It functioned as the city's art museum until 1928, when the art collection moved to the new Philadelphia Museum of Art. The building then cycled through various purposes over the decades. In 2008, after major renovation work, the Please Touch Museum moved in and made it their home.
Features
The Building
Walk inside and you immediately notice the scale. The massive central dome rises 150 feet. Grand entrance stairs draw you up, past ornamental sculptures and original ironwork that's been carefully restored. The interior spaces retain their historical character while serving modern needs.
Please Touch Museum
This children's museum fills the building with interactive exhibits. Kids learn through play across multiple themed areas. The museum runs special programs and events throughout the year, making it one of the premier children's museums in the country.
Grounds
The surrounding parkland carries echoes of the 1876 landscape. Open lawn areas surround the dome. Mature trees provide shade. Picnic facilities dot the grounds, inviting visitors to linger.
Centennial District
Several structures and sites cluster in this area:
- Ohio House: a preserved Centennial state building
- Japanese Tea House site: the original inspired today's Shofuso
- Horticultural Hall site: though demolished, its history remains
- Various landscape features dating to 1876
Visiting
Please Touch Museum
The museum's hours vary, so check their website for current information. Some holidays mean closures. You might need timed tickets during busy periods.
Admission costs apply. They offer memberships if you're planning repeat visits. Children under 1 get in free.
The Building Exterior
You don't need a ticket to appreciate the building itself. Walk around it. Study the architecture. The grounds stay accessible during park hours, so you can explore the dome's exterior and the surrounding landscape anytime.
Getting There
Location: Avenue of the Republic, West Fairmount Park
SEPTA Bus 38 takes you directly to Memorial Hall. If you're driving, there's a parking lot next to the building. Enter Fairmount Park through Belmont Avenue.
Tips
The museum works best for children 7 and under. But the architecture? That's impressive regardless of age. Don't miss the dome from inside, where the light hits it beautifully. Consider combining your visit with the nearby Shofuso Japanese House.
Centennial Legacy
Memorial Hall embodies several important ideas. It represents America's first World's Fair and Philadelphia's moment on the international stage. The structure itself shows 19th-century civic ambition. But it also demonstrates successful adaptive reuse, transforming a fair building into a living, breathing institution.
Nearby
- Shofuso Japanese House and Garden — West Fairmount Park
- Fairmount Park — Surrounding park
- Belmont Plateau — Views nearby
- Mann Center — Performance venue
- Philadelphia Zoo — Nearby
See Also
References
- ↑ "Memorial Hall". Please Touch Museum. Retrieved December 30, 2025