In Philadelphia, in the year 1876, The Centennial Exhibition was arranged to celebrate a hundredth year of the American declaration of independance. The exhibition took place over six months, on an area of over 1.15 square kilometers (280 acres), with a total of over nine million visitors.
It was a celebration of hundred years of American cultural and industrial development. 37 countries participated, and over 250 different departments showcased international exhibitions of all kinds.
Sweden participates with many exhibitions, among others a school house, built with Baltic fur (see picture on the left). It was built in Sweden and shipped to Philadelphia in sections. No paint was used on the house, instead you can see the natural colour everywhere, fresh and polished.
The building is a replica of the public schools, and contained the same furniture used in them, together with other teaching materials. Samples of text books and reference materials were shown.
Methods of teaching and the knowledge of the technical schools were also on display.

James Dabney McCabe writes in "The Illustrated History Of The Centennial Exhibition": "The Swedish exhibition is one of the most complete and tastefully arranged in the exhibition. The show-cases are handsomer than is the rule with the European nations, and the articles are displayed to the best advantage."

By the entrance to the Swedish department was a large selection of beautiful porcelaine. McCabe continues: "The articles are delicate and the tints exquisite. Floral decorations are much used in these, and with more than ordinary taste."

Ceramics and glass works were also displayted. Models of a fountain in Stockholm made in marble attracted much attention.

Fur and leather goods were a large part of the exhibition, together with prominent displays of steel works. Files, saws, tools and train wheels were a part of the collection. McCabe notes: "The workmanship in all these articles is masterly."

Also by the entrance were a number of groups of mannequins, displaying the customs and manner of clothing of the Swedish people. One such group shows how a young man has come to ask for a daughter's hand. The father sits at his table looking thoughtful, with the mother's hand on his shoulder. The daughter stands in the middle, waiting for the answer.
Another group shows how a large elk has been put to the ground by a hunter, whose family stands around and celebrate the triumph. Yet another scene is of a Laplander with his reindeer and sleigh. He is dressed in skins, and the sleigh is the genuine article from the frozen lands of the north.
We also see a child baptism, and a man reading to his wife from the Bible at their table.
A number of wax figures display soldiers' and officers' uniforms, together with samples of our weapons. Prins Oscar and Swedish officers also took part in the demonstration of America's army, a march to the Independance Hall where the troops were reviewed by highly ranked officers from America, Sweden and Japan.
Paintings by artists such as Hockert, Barons Hermelin and Cederström, Severin Nilsson and August Jernberg were on display.
Matches from Jönköping surprises, when the "matches will not ignite except when struck upon a peculiarly prepared surface". The silk on display is determined to be of especially good quality.
Many machines for wood and metal workings are ranked among the best in the display hall, and sewing machines, fire engines, rain road materials, plows and fire fighting apparatus are displayed. Alcoholic beverages, foremost punsch, are also on display together with confecture, coffee blens, crackers. snuff and chewing tobacco.
Models of various fishing ships stand below wall mounted fishing nets, and examples of Swedish fish are on display. A wide selection of Swedish wood and seeds complete the exhibition together with samples of milking tools.