The 1893 World’s Fair

Welcome Columbian Exposition enthusiasts!

This educational, non-profit website is dedicated to the history and legacy of the 1893 World’s Fair held in Chicago. We aim to explore details of its buildings and lesser known corners of the fairgrounds, to rediscover the countless attractions ranging from the astounding to the mundane, and to document stories about the people who built and experienced the fair.

The Columbian Exposition remains alive today through research and reprints; learning about news and events; exploring sites and exhibits; cataloging World’s Fair fiction, drama, art, and other media; and collecting antiques and products. Enjoy our “nerds-eye” view of the Fair!

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A Fair to Remember: History and Reprints

Ignacy Paderewski Battles the Midway Camel

November 18th, 2024|0 Comments

Twenty-two-year-old Ignacy Jan Paderewski (November 18, 1860 – June 29, 1941) was already a rock star when he performed a concert for the opening of the 1893 World’s Fair. The Polish pianist’s adoring fans—enchanted [...]

169. Picturesque World’s Fair – The Beauty Show

November 9th, 2024|0 Comments

THE BEAUTY SHOW—What bore upon its front the legend, "International Dress and Costume Exhibit, or World's Congress of Beauties," was a large rectangular structure seen upon the right soon after entering the Midway Plaisance [...]

Maps

Explore maps of the fairgounds and a map of existing sites associated with the 1893 World’s Fair, visit Columbian Exhibition exhibits, or discover vestiges of the fair.

Media

Find research about the 1893 World’s Fair and explore the Columbian Exposition in fiction, on video and stage, in audio recordings, and in works of visual art.

 

 

 

 

Collecting World’s Fair Antiques and Products

Greetings from a Transportation Angel

April 17th, 2024|0 Comments

We were delighted to hear from several readers about the lovely images featured in our recent post “Angels in the Spandrels: The Winged Decorations of Louis Sullivan’s Transportation Building” We’ve made the image available [...]

The Devil in the White City

Have you read the book?

Are you waiting to watch the TV series?