SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- History buffs are being encouraged to look around at the century-old buildings on the Springfield fairgrounds when the Illinois State Fair opens Friday and runs through Aug. 22.
Jan Grimes is director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
Grimes says the fairgrounds has national historic significance.
The Exposition Building was built in 1894 and was the state's first permanent fairgrounds building.
Its design was influenced by the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
The Poultry Building, which now houses the Illinois Artisans' Exhibit, was built in 1896.
The Dairy Building was built in 1903.
The fairgrounds was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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