ON THIS DAY IN 1878 , the Brooklyn Daily Eagle said, “Up to the time of the Centennial Exposition, the annual fair of the American Institute was the only considerable event which brought together a display of the industries of the country, but after that gigantic show of Philadelphia, it is difficult to realize or appreciate the thorough usefulness and excellence which is found in the yearly exhibitions of the Institute. For forty-seven years these displays have been an annual event in New York, and probably the name, American Institute, is as familiar to the people of the United States as the word centennial. It filled in New York City the place occupied by the county and State fairs, and gave the residents of the metropolis a valuable lesson in object teaching in the arts and sciences.”

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