An Archive of Past Events
Relating to the 1893 World’s Fair
Sep. 12, 2023: “Restoring Freya” (Geneva, IL)
The Geneva History Museum will offer a presentation on "Restoring Freya" on Tuesday, September 12 from 12- 1 pm. Freya is the new name for the newly restored dragon head and tail of the original Viking ship that sailed from Norway to the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Participants will learn all about the restoration process used by Third Coast Conservation on the century-old artifact. The Viking ship dragon head and tail are on display at the Museum through December 23 as the centerpiece of the exhibition “Viking's Voyage." "Restoring Freya" is part of theGeneva History Museum's Brown Bag [...]
Sept. 10, 2023: “Walking the White City” tour (Chicago)
The Glessner House is offering a "Walking the White City" tour of the former fairgrounds of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition on Sunday, September 10, 2023, from 10 AM to noon. Architect and historian John Waters will guide participants on a walking tour of Jackson Park to see the sites of landmarks of the 1893 World's Fair, explore the fascinating vestiges, and learn how the Fair influenced the design of Jackson Park as we know it today. The tour will meet at the base of sculptor Daniel Chester French’s golden Statue of the Republic on Hayes Drive, which marks [...]
Sep. 9, 2023: “Swami Vivekananda’s 1893 Sojourn in Chicago” (Chicago)
The Art Institute of Chicago will host a presentation on "The Monk, the World’s Parliament, and the Museum—Swami ’s 1893 Sojourn in Chicago" on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Curator Dr. Madhuvanti Ghose will discuss the time in 1893 when an unknown Hindu monk, Swami Vivekananda, travelled from Calcutta to Chicago to deliver a speech at the inaugural session of the World’s Parliament of Religions held at The World's Columbian Exposition. The oration, delivered in what is today the Art Institute’s Fullerton Hall, earned him a two-minute standing ovation and provided a groundbreaking articulation of Hinduism for Western audiences. The [...]
Aug 8-Oct. 31, 2023: “World’s Finest: Fly-Fishing Tackle” (Monee, IL)
A temporary exhibit featuring some historical fishing from the 1893 World’s Fair will open this fall at the Monee Reservoir Visitor Center in Monee, Illinois. Their exhibit “World’s Finest: Fly-Fishing Tackle” highlights influential anglers, all of whom exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This ongoing program runs from Tuesday, Aug. 8, to Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at the Visitor Center (27341 S Ridgeland Ave in Monee) and is free. Paintings on display in the Angling Pavilion of the Fisheries Building at the 1893 World's Fair. [Image from Bancroft, Hubert Howe The Book of the Fair. The [...]
Aug 8, 2023: “At the World’s Fair: North Shore Resident’s Roles in the 1893 Columbian Exposition” (Online
The Winnetka Historical Society is offering an online program titled "At the World's Fair: North Shore Resident's Roles in the 1893 Columbian Exposition" from 7-8 pm (Central Time) on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Join the free event to learn how several North Shore residents were involved in the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and how the Fair had a profound impact on the city and its surrounding suburbs in many ways, including its art, architecture, and industry. Sponsored by the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District. Register at https://winnetkalibrary.libcal.com/event/10581530
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, in case of rain, in the Visitor Center theater) at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (110 Federal Park [...]
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 days in the city, the Spanish Princess managed to dazzle and dismay. In this presentation, we will follow the Infanta’s [...]
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 House Museum in Denver, Colorado. "The World Is Changing Exhibit" explores the summer when the Brown family visited the World’s Fair [...]
Mar 29, 2023: “Deconstructing The Devil in the White City” seminar (online)
The Newberry Library's Adult Education program will offer an online writing seminar on Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. This acclaimed 2003 historical non-fiction book introduced millions of readers to the facinating and tumultuous history of how the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition was built. "Deconstructing The Devil in the White City" will analyze the craft of the storytelling in Larson's writing. Dr. Caroline Malloy—a historian, book coach, and developmental editor—will guide the discussion of character, plot, and setting. The seminar will meet online from 2-4 pm on March [...]
Mar. 22, 2023: “1893 Chicago World’s Fair” lecture (Palatine, IL)
The Palatine Library hosts a talk on "The 1893 Chicago World's Fair" on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Main Library building (700 N. North Court, Palatine, IL). Historian Jim Gibbons will detail the events of the World’s Columbian Exposition, while incorporating the story of a darker story of America’s first well-known serial killer, the infamous H.H. Holmes. Register to attend the free event here.