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 is a monumental Beaux-Arts building in West Fairmount Park, the only major structure remaining from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition—America's first World's Fair. Originally built as the Exhibition's art gallery, the building now houses the Please Touch Museum, a renowned children's museum. The surrounding grounds retain elements of the Centennial landscape.[1]
Memorial Hall connects Philadelphia to its role as the birthplace of America's World's Fair tradition.
History
Centennial Exhibition
The 1876 Centennial International Exhibition celebrated America's 100th birthday:
- First official World's Fair in the United States
- Held in Fairmount Park
- 10 million visitors
- Introduced Americans to new technologies (telephone, typewriter)
- Showcased American industrial achievement
Memorial Hall's Role
Built as the Art Gallery for the Exhibition:
- Housed fine arts displays
- Designed to be permanent (unlike most fair buildings)
- Cost $1.5 million (enormous sum in 1876)
- Intended to become Philadelphia's art museum
Architecture
Designed by Hermann Schwarzmann:
- Beaux-Arts style
- Iron and glass dome
- Grand entrance pavilions
- Fireproof construction (for art protection)
- Renaissance revival details
Post-Centennial
After the Exhibition:
- Served as Philadelphia's art museum until 1928
- Art collection moved to new Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Building used for various purposes
- 2008: Please Touch Museum moved in after major renovation
Features
The Building
Architectural highlights:
- Massive central dome (150 feet high)
- Grand entrance stairs
- Ornamental sculptures
- Original ironwork and details
- Restored interior spaces
Please Touch Museum
Children's museum occupying the building:
- Interactive exhibits for children
- Focus on learning through play
- Multiple themed areas
- Special programs and events
- One of the country's premier children's museums
Grounds
Surrounding parkland:
- Remnants of Centennial landscape
- Open lawn areas
- Mature trees
- Picnic facilities
Centennial District
The area includes:
- Ohio House (preserved Centennial state building)
- Japanese Tea House site (original inspired Shofuso)
- Horticultural Hall site (demolished)
- Landscape features from 1876
Visiting
Please Touch Museum
Hours:
- Check museum website for current hours
- Closed some holidays
- Timed tickets may be required
Admission:
- Museum admission fee
- Memberships available
- Free for children under 1
The Building Exterior
- Viewable anytime
- Walk around for architecture appreciation
- Grounds accessible during park hours
Getting There
Location: Avenue of the Republic, West Fairmount Park
By Public Transit:
- SEPTA Bus 38 to Memorial Hall
By Car:
- Parking lot adjacent to building
- Enter Fairmount Park via Belmont Avenue
Tips
- Please Touch Museum is best for ages 7 and under
- The building's architecture is impressive even without museum visit
- Combine with Shofuso Japanese House nearby
- The dome is beautiful from inside
Centennial Legacy
Memorial Hall represents:
- America's first World's Fair
- Philadelphia's international moment
- 19th-century civic ambition
- Adaptive reuse success
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