The Centennial Exhibition of 1876 celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence. The Centennial Exhibition opened on May 9, 1876 and closed November 10th. Nearly ten million visitors attended the fair in that time. The fairgrounds were made up of five main buildings, as well as some 250 pavilions and auxiliary structures, including twenty-four state buildings, which were each designed in a regional style.

Joseph Shields Wilson (1835-1903) founded the Wilmington Steamboat Company in 1882, which remained in the family until 1929.

He was born on February 18, 1835 in Washington, DC to John Wilson and Martha McClelland. John worked in the General Land Office and was appointed by multiple presidents.

After graduating from Samuel Alsop's school in Wilmington, Wilson worked in the shipbuilding industry. At one time he was the superintendent of the shipyards of the Cramp Company and the Neatie & Levy Company. Later, in 1882, Wilson founded the Wilmington Steamboat Company and remained its president until his death.

In 1858, Wilson married Elizabeth Engleman (1838-1923). They had twelve children: Emilie, Clara, Horace, John Shields, Ida Blanche, Edith, Mary, Agnes, Edward T., Stella, Mabel, and Herbert. Mary married J. Edward Passant; Agnes married Walter Marter; Mabel married George Waters; and Stella married George E. Gallagher.

Wilson died December 31, 1903 in Philadelphia.