![]() Much like national embassies, the statehouses and the land on which they sit are owned by the respective jurisdiction. The Rhode Island building features Del's Lemonade and Blount Seafood Clamcakes and Chowder, as well as books from a Rhode Island author C. The Connecticut building supplies Timex watches, as well as Lego, which has its US headquarters in that state. The Maine baked potatoes have become an icon, with buyers regularly joining long lines during the fair's busier periods. Vendors also sell locally-made products and handicrafts. For example, the Maine House offers lobster, blueberry, and baked potatoes, while the Vermont House has Ben and Jerry's ice cream, maple syrup, and Cabot cheese. These buildings feature exhibits and vendors that exemplify the heritage, food, and traditions of each state as a way of promoting tourism. ![]() The buildings for New Hampshire and Vermont have no resemblance to their original state houses. In actuality the state houses are not replicas but rather modeled after original state houses in most instances. The Avenue of States contains life-size replicas of the six original New England statehouses, as well as the New England Grange House. Since the first fair, only World War I and World War II, during which the military requisitioned the grounds as storage depots, and the COVID-19 pandemic have interrupted the annual tradition. In 1966, for the fiftieth anniversary, the fair began marketing itself as "The Big E." The "E" stands for what organizers said was an emphasis on "entertainment, education and excitement." At that year's horse show in West Springfield, competitors from Delaware, New Jersey, and New York were placed in the open classes as opposed to the New England division. īy 1940, the exposition had begun to focus more on the six New England states. Entertainment elements were added by the 1930s, including demonstrations of "automobile polo" (featuring acrobats playing polo while driving Ford cars), and competitive performances by high school bands. Exhibits on Native American culture were added, including a tipi exhibit hosted by Reginald and Gladys Laubin in 1926. The rise of the eugenics movement in the 1920s led to the inclusion of "Fitter Family" contests, in which prizes were awarded to individuals and families based on appearance and ethnic background. In 1923, the Massachusetts Department of Health built a model schoolhouse on the fairgrounds, in which free medical and dental examinations were offered. The exposition began to grow beyond agriculture and industry within its first few years. Newspaper ad for the Eastern States Exposition, 1938 According to officials, the purpose of the "Eastern States movement" was to make the ten states "more nearly self-supporting food-wise and possess a large, prosperous and contented farming population." Emphasis on the development of young farmers continued, with the establishment of "Baby Beef Clubs" in 1920 to help youths buy, raise, exhibit, and sell livestock at the event. The ten-state format continued into the 1920s, with the month of the exposition moved to September. The youth component, which drew competitors from all ten participating states, was deemed "a triumph in a new type of education." An eight-day camp program was established at Springfield's Camp Vail for all youths who placed first or second in judged competitions. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America partnered with the Exposition to organize youth competitions, in which prizes were awarded for best produce, jams, breads, raised hens, planting techniques, and other categories. The Exposition featured displays of innovations in the industry, and held contests designed to encourage farmers to better themselves through competition. Brooks as a way to help promote agriculture and educate young people with the skills and knowledge needed in agricultural vocations. All six New England states plus Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania participated. The first Eastern States Exposition occurred in October 1916 in West Springfield, Massachusetts and was called the Eastern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition. The fair promoted on a period post card, ca.
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