The Adult Learners Institute of Michigan will take participants to the 1893 World’s Fair on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. John Hauger will offer a class on “The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893” from 2–4 pm at the Manchester District Library (912 City Rd. in Manchester, Michigan).

The Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus landing in the New World, was a landmark event in United States history. Never before had this nation undertaken so ambitious a task as a world’s fair on this scale. The numbers give us some perspective: The Exposition covered more than 600 acres; a work force of 40,000 worked a year and a half for 10 cents a day. Almost 200 new buildings were planned. One building, the Manufacturers and Liberal Arts Building was the largest building in the world covering 44 acres. Buildings from 44 states and 46 countries, with their products and their cultures were on display. Dubbed “The White City”, the fair drew more than 27,000,000 people from all over the world. Electricity, especially the new electric light were among chief technologies at the fair. George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison vied for preeminence. Please join us and learn more about a momentous event in Chicago’s history.

The course costs $20 and registration is available at https://myactivecenter.com/#centers/USA.MI.Chelsea.ALI-Michigan/activities/40432