The Argentine Republic national pavilion was north of the Administration building and near Austria. It was a smaller scale reproduction of the second and third stories of the Government Palace at Buenos Aires, known as Casa Rosa, the 'Pink Palace' of Argentina's Presidents. The structure fronts the beautiful Piaza Mayo of Argentine's capital, and covers an area equal to two entire city blocks. The style of the Fair pavilion was an adaptation of French Renaissance, showing an imposing pavilion framing a monumental entrance that was characterized throughout by highly ornate sculptural effects.
The principal facade of the building represented a series of beautiful arcades, relieved at intervals by allegorical statuary typifying the republican principles and progressive tendencies of the Argentine nation. Immediately behind this facade, above and below, were two deep corridors opening upon which were entrances to the main building.
The first floor was divided into four large rooms, two on either side of a broad hall, two being occupied as offices of the commission and the other two were used to entertain visitors with photographic exhibition of Argentine's scenery and architectural features of some of her cities. Many paintings and photographs of the Argentinean Republic covered the walls. Photos were framed, in albums and were displayed in stereoscopic apparatus.
At the extremity of the central hallway of the pavilion was a broad stairway, with dividing flights, it reached the second floor, which was originally designed for a lecture room, but this purpose was reconsidered when an offer was made by Sr. Manuel B. Zavaleta to exhibit his remarkable archaeological and anthropological collection at the Fair.
As Mr. Zavaleta was a distinguished citizen of Argentina, a tender was made to him of the large hall in the building in which his exhibit of Indian antiquities was accordingly installed. This museum of relics of prehistoric South American races was the result of nearly thirty years of patient and intelligent investigation and labor in gathering objects produced by ancient peoples, with the view not only of showing their social condition prior to the Spanish invasion, but also to demonstrate the parallelism that existed in the culture of the two American continents. The collection contained 4,565 pieces of pottery, figurines, flint fabrications, ceremonial stones, skulls, implements, weapons, ornaments and domestic utensils, all of which were brought to the Exposition at the private expense of Mr. Zavaleta.
Argentine not only erected a beautiful pavilion at the Fair, but the government also participated generously in all the prominent departments of the Exposition, to which end a corps of commissioners was appointed as follows: Dr. Jose V. Fernandez, Commissioner-General; Mr. Eduardo Schiaffino, commissioner of fine arts; Mr. Enrique M. Nelson, A. E., commissioner of .agriculture and forestry; Dr. Damian Lan, commissioner of live stock; Mr. Horacio Anasagasti, M. E., commissioner of mines and liberal arts; Mr. Guillermo Puente, E. E., commissioner of manufactures and electricity; Mr. Ernesto Nelson, commissioner of education; Dr. Luiz A. Sauze, and Mr. Jose de Olivar
Dr. Jose V. Fernandez was the commissioner-general.
A canvas fire-escape chute was featured in the building to promote their world-wide sales of the item.
There were maps and pictures of scenes of the country.
Tropical flowers abounded in the gardens.
The structure cost 10,000 dollars to build.
The Argentine importance and exhibitions ranked the country as one of the best participants of the 1904 World's Fair. The total amount of money expended during the Exposition totaled 300,000 dollars gold.
Pavilion and exhibition spaced totaled 20,000 square feet.
The Argentine Republic had a grand exhibit wool and of Merino and Lincoln sheep, as well as sheepskin and hides.
In the Palace of Agriculture, the country displayed a fine exhibit of dairy products (in particular- butter and cheese), and machinery. Many examples of wheat, corn and cotton were shown. There were samples of 67 pounds to the bushel of wheat. Exhibits of linseed and flax were also impressive.
Leather products dominated the Argentinean presence in the Palace of Manufacturers. The country also displayed a fine selection of hats, footwear, textiles, clothes and furniture.
In the Palace of Liberal Arts, Argentine plans and models supported a desire to modernize navigation of rivers and seas, and dams. Because of the size of these models (one was a huge miniature of the harbor of Buenos Aires), the display had to be shown in a special section of the Palace.
The Republic of Argentine utilized two rooms in the west wing of the Palace of Fine Arts.
