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Old America Exhibition, 1892
Following the 'Manchester Royal Jubilee Exhibition' of 1887, the Botanical Gardens were left with some outstanding exhibition spaces, but the Botanical Society themselves were facing large financial difficulties. The fairy fountain that once stood so proudly was deemed to be too expensive to maintain and was deconstructed. Other costly changes were carried out and, by 1890, the accounts were not looking good. However, a ray of hope presented itself in 1892: in the form of an intriguing offer from a Mr Mumford of London, who wanted to stage an ‘Old America’ exhibition. The Society accepted, hoping that it would help to address their financial worries.
The two main features of the exhibition will be a reproduction of three American cities and the model of the Eddystone Lighthouse as it stood at the Royal Naval Exhibition. Of course the landing of Colombus will be included in the show. . . the lake, we are told, will bear on its waters a ship which is to be fashioned on the model of the great navigator’s “Santa Maria”.
- Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 12 March 1892
The exhibition opened to the public in May 1892.
Australian wire-walker Ella Zuila was a world famous aerial performer. This photograph shows her at the Old America exhibition in 1892. Famous French tightrope walker Blondin (dubbed ‘the hero of Niagara’ for crossing the river on a tightrope in 1859) also performed several shows. Over a three-week period, the veteran performer entertained the public with the help of his son, who allowed himself to be carried along the rope by his father.
He bears his years, near three score and ten, as he hugs his pole during his serial flights, valiantly and cheerfully, and though he speaks the English tongue imperfectly, he has learnt enough of our language to make it known that he appreciated the kindness of those among whom he has been but a guest during the last few weeks. He facetiously remarked that he had always had a bad opinion of Manchester, that it was a dirty, smoky, and unnatural place, but after spending so much of his time in those beautiful gardens, he should leave this great city with an entirely different opinion.
- Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 29 August 1892
Blondin's final performance was blighted by heavy rain, which was said to have plagued the exhibition throughout its twenty-two week duration. Although The Manchester Courier praised the 'brilliance of the illuminations on the one hand and the music of the bands on the other', it reported that visitor numbers were disappointing, largely due to the unfortunate weather. Old America Ltd went into liquidation that same year.
Sources
Ann Brooks, ‘A Veritable Eden’, The Manchester Botanic Garden, a History, (Oxbow Books, 2011)
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 12 March 1892
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 9 August 1892
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 29 August 1892
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 17 October 1892
Manchester Evening News, 11 May 1892
Simply Australia, 'Ella Zuila - Heroine of the Highwire' <http://www.simplyaustralia.net/ella-zuila-heroine-of-the-highwire/> [accessed 5 February 2020]