In 1926, Philadelphia hosted a celebration commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This Sesquicentennial Exposition drew exhibitors from around the world and featured speeches, sporting events, a military camp, and an 80 foot tall replica of the Liberty Bell covered in 26,000 light bulbs. Five large “palaces,” or exhibition halls, provided acres of indoor exhibition space, and pavilions represented thirty-one states, four territories, and nine foreign nations. The main entrance was located at the intersection of Broad Street and Packer Avenue and most of the grounds covered the area that is now the site of FDR Park and the stadiums in South Philly.
Despite a heavy rain, the New York Times estimated that 200,000 people traveled to the stadium located on the festival grounds to hear President Calvin Coolidge officially open the Sesquicentennial Exposition on July 5, 1926.
The rain that plagued the opening ceremonies, however, would continue throughout much of the Exposition. Sadly, the Sesquicentennial proved to be an abject failure, attracting only about 4.6 million paid attendees rather than the 30 million the organizers predicted. The exposition ended up unable to cover its debts and went into bankruptcy in 1927, at which point its assets were sold at auction.
The stadium erected for the Sesquicentennial, later renamed JFK Stadium in 1964, seated over 100,000 people. It was the home of the Eagles in the late 1930's and of the Army-Navy football game from 1936 - 1979. It hosted Live Aid in 1985 and was demolished in 1992. The Wells Fargo Center now stands on it's former site.
The only remnants of the fair at FDR Park are the American Swedish Historical Museum, the Boathouse (which was the Russian teahouse) and a Gazebo.
Drawing of the fairgrounds Hybrid photo of 80' Bell Lit at night
Russian Pavilion, still stands Persian Bldg.
Tower of Light Former Russian Teahouse at FDR Park
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