The 9.1 acre Palace of Liberal Arts stood at the extreme east of the main picture, near the border of Forest Park, opposite the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy. Considered to be one of the most beautiful and ornate of the Fair's palaces, the Liberal Arts building was designed as a quadrangle. The Sunken Gardens on the main facade was enriched by three huge Roman triumphal arches; these were connected by a Doric colonnade and the corners were treated as round pavilions. The Palace of Liberal Arts was the most heavily staff-decorated of the Exposition palaces. The largest quadriga ever placed on any exposition and two flanking groups, stood atop the main triumphal arch were created by Charles Lopez and F. C. R. Roth. A quadriga is a four-horse chariot, and represented triumph, victory and fame. The Palace was designed with a grand inner court in mind, but construction had to be abandoned because of great great demand for exhibitor space. The building had eight entrances as well as sixteen emergency exits and housed a 400 seat restaurant.
Prior to the St. Louis World's Fair, liberal arts displays in expositions were displayed in departments of other palaces. This was the first time that a Liberal Arts building had it's own structure.
The great organ in the Festival Hall is classified as one of the exhibits in Liberal Arts.
Designed by Barnett, Haynes & Barnett of St. Louis, the palace was built by the Kellerman Contracting Company at a cost of 476,957 dollars.
Using its striking beauty to full effect, the 525 by 750 feet structure held the Fair's dedicatory exercises (topped off by President Roosevelt's visit), on April 30, 1903.
In a separate exterior building, just east of the Model City, Great Britain displayed a working laboratory for the liquefaction and solidification of hydrogen and the separation of helium, the phosphorescent luminosity of radium, the production of electric crystals.
On display in the palace were actual surgical tools recovered from the ruins of Pompeii
State, Nation, and other exhibits:
France exhibit: included two huge searchlights and lenses, as well as Art Nouveau posters.
Republic of Argentina: included scenic post cards, maps, scientific books and lithographic art.
Great Britain: included coal tar and lectures pertaining to the experimentation with liquid air and hydrogen
as well as governmental seals as far back as 790 AD. Another exhibit showcased coins from the British Mint.
Doulton & Company showcased a chemical and pharmaceutical apparatuses.
Mexico exhibit: included photographs, perfumes and assorted chemical products.
Sweden exhibit: included a display of `spunks-' sulpher-headed wooden stick matches.
German exhibit: included a eclectic display of organ-making, canal building, children's books, sanitary work and signal lighting. The display also showcased luxurious bathrooms made from onyx.
American Society of Civil Engineers exhibit: included displays of survey tools, and a huge lighthouse `model.' Also they showed how Swiss lake dwellers built their homes over water 3,000 to 5,000 years ago.
Louisiana exhibit: included old maps and books regarding the Louisiana Purchase. The oldest dating back to 1555.
N.K. Fairbank Company exhibit: showcased Gold Dust and Fairy Soap cleaners- their display was highlighted by a 22-foot fountain topped off with a statue of a fairy, billowing out 170,000 bubbles a minute. Another popular display was the company's cooking oil substitute they named- Cottolene. They gave out free recipe booklets to promote this natural oil product.
Victor Talking Machine Company exhibit: An elaborate display in a Moorish style of the latest phonographs and Red Seal discs.
China exhibit: included a magnificent display of woodcarving, intricate furniture, ancient books and carvings, rare trophies from the Chinese temples, Chinese armor and weapons. The nation also showcased over 4,000 hand fans and models of 100 different types of boats. A seven foot long carved ivory elephant tusk valued at 16,000 dollars was shown. Also on display was a tree crafted from silver.
The St. Louis World's Fair marked the first time China officially participated in an international exposition.
Underwood Typewriters exhibit: was a gorgeous booth seemingly crafted in an Art Nouveau style out of typewriter parts. The company showcased typewriters that were suitable for multiple copies.
C.P. Goerz Optical Works: included a plant for grinding the lenses for cameras. They also displayed an early form of color photograph created by the Solgram Color Photo process (developed by William C. South).
Photoscope Company of New York: had self-run photo booths that for a quarter, one could obtain six photo souvenirs of his/her visit.
Hygenia Filter Company exhibit: included displays on water filtration. They provided visitors with samples of their filtered water.
C.G. Conn exhibit: included a jewel-studded gold coronet valued at 2,500 dollars.
Blickendorfer Company exhibit: included an early electric typewriter.
Regina Music Box Company exhibit: included a wide array of cylinder music boxes, including some styles that were built in furniture and clocks.
Baldwin Piano Company exhibit: included a 56,000 dollar display of the pianos as well as elaborate piano cases.
Western Gas Company exhibit: included a vast display of the most advanced kitchen appliances at that time; from ranges, to lamps to ice chests and cheese graters.
Japan exhibit: included a complete newspaper office in operation.
R. Hoe & Company exhibit: included a printing press capable of printing and folding 96,0000 8-page newspapers an hour.
Salvation Army exhibit: included huge backlit transparencies of is founder and their activities.
American exhibit: included an equatorial telescope, weighing two tons. Also on display was a full-sized reproduction of Southwest Pass Lighthouse created by Barnett, Haynes & Barnett of St. Louis.
