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The Fair as a Spectacle, Introduction: Charles Mulford Robinson visits the Dream City

“The Columbian Exposition had a decidedly reformist influence,” writes World’s Fair historian Reid Badger, “and there is little question that it was at least an indirect factor in the development of the ‘City Beautiful’ movement.” [Badger 115] Among the great urban planning pioneers influenced by the 1893 World’s Fair was Charles Mulford Robinson (1869–1917). Urban-planning pioneer Charles Mulford Robinson memorialized the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in his essay “The Fair as a Spectacle.” [Image from Johnson, Rossiter A [...]

By |2023-07-03T06:40:16-05:00June 29th, 2023|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: |1 Comment
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“Think of it. Three thousand people on a wheel!”

The magnificent Ferris Wheel on the Midway Plaisance of the World’s Columbian Exposition opened to the public on June 21, 1893. Some first-hand accounts of riding in the mechanical monster capture the thrill of what it felt like for those first passengers—many of whom may have never even been in a building with more than a few floors tall—to be lifted into the air. A special correspondence to the San Francisco Morning Call (July 7, 1893) shared this experience [...]

By |2023-06-11T08:42:03-05:00June 21st, 2023|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: |0 Comments
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A Comedy of Errors at the Gates to the 1893 World’s Fair

Do you remember that time when the Vice President of the United States was refused admission to the World’s Columbian Exposition? Because Adlai Stevenson had forgotten to bring his pass that day,  he was held up by a gateman just trying to follow the rules. The Boston Globe reported on a similar “comedy of errors” enacted at the 63rd Street entrance gate just three days later, on the morning of May 26, 1893: As usual, the principals were Columbian [...]

By |2023-06-18T15:38:57-05:00June 19th, 2023|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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“Let this gentleman in at once”: Trouble at the Gate of the 1893 World’s Fair

Horace Tucker ran a tight ship. As Superintendent of the Department of Admissions for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, Tucker had to account for every person who entered the fairgrounds. In order to pass through an entrance gate, everyone needed to supply either a ticket or a complimentary pass. Everyone. A Special Pass to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition included the printed signature of Horace Tucker, Superintendent of the Department of Admissions. [Image from private collection.] Adlai [...]

By |2024-11-28T08:37:22-06:00June 14th, 2023|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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June 10, 2023: “Next Stop: The World’s Fair” (Gallitzin, PA)

The Allegheny Portage Railroad is hosting a program titled "Next Stop: The World's Fair" on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 8 pm. This presentation by Elizabeth Shope will explore the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, including a history of the exposition and items that were on display relating to the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This free program lasts approximately one hour and is presented by Elizabeth Shope. No reservations are required. The program will take place in the Amphitheater (or, [...]

By |2023-06-11T08:40:56-05:00June 10th, 2023|Categories: EVENTS (past)|0 Comments
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Chicago Public Library Invites Kids to Come to the Chicago World’s Fair

The Chicago Public Library invites kids to "Come to the Chicago World’s Fair!" with a list of books for learning about the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and some of its notable attractions and  people. The 1893 World's Fair had an entire building dedicated to children. [Image from Bancroft, Hubert Howe The Book of the Fair. The Bancroft Company, 1893.]

By |2023-05-30T10:33:07-05:00May 30th, 2023|Categories: NEWS|Tags: |0 Comments
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May 26, 2023: “Chicago’s Legacy Hula” opens

A limited-time exhibition “Chicago's Legacy Hula” opened on May 26, 2023, at the Field Museum. Set inside the entrance to the Regenstein Hall of the Pacific, the exhibit includes the story of a Hawaiian musical group that made their way to the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Queen Lili‘uokalani sent Hui Lei Mamo, a royal chorus and Hula troupe, from the island kingdom to perform at the Columbian Exposition. Soon after, pro-American forces in Hawaiʻi overthrew the Queen. The [...]

By |2024-11-21T09:26:46-06:00May 29th, 2023|Categories: EXHIBITS (current)|Tags: , |0 Comments
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May 3-Aug 27, 2023: “The World Is Changing Exhibit” (Molly Brown House Museum, CO)

Among the amazing array of famous (or soon-to-be-famous) people walking the fairgrounds of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago was the Margaret “Molly” Brown. Posthumously known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” she was a survivor of the tragic sinking of the Titanic, while her shipmate Francis (“Frank”) Millet, Director of Decoration and Function at the Columbian Exposition, went down with the ship. A new temporary exhibit about the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition has opened at the Molly Brown [...]

By |2023-08-30T18:46:15-05:00May 14th, 2023|Categories: EVENTS (past), EXHIBITS (past)|Tags: |0 Comments
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June 9, 2023: The Princess of the Fair: The Infanta Eulalia of Spain’s Visit to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition (online)

Royalty! Fireworks! A Throne! The Glessner House in Chicago will be hosting an online presentation on "The Princess of the Fair: The Infanta Eulalia of Spain's Visit to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition" on Friday, June 9, 2023. Among the amazing array of famous people walking the fairgrounds of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the supreme guest of honor was the Infanta Eulalia of Spain. Chicago was hosting royalty, and the world was watching. During her eight [...]

By |2023-12-17T08:09:36-06:00May 9th, 2023|Categories: EVENTS (past)|Tags: , |0 Comments
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A satirical podcast about the 1893 World’s Fair?

Jeopardy! clues relating to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (such as ones about belly dancing and promotional pickle pins, the Field Columbian Museum, and Fannie Barrier Williams) are always a fun surprise. On the April 18, 2023, episode, returning champion Dan Ciarrocchi mentioned that he is writing a scripted podcast that is a satirical look at the 1893 World’s Fair. We can't wait to hear it!

By |2023-10-05T09:11:03-05:00April 18th, 2023|Categories: AUDIO, NEWS|Tags: |0 Comments
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