RECENT POSTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION’S BUILDING, FAIRGROUNDS, EXHIBITS, EVENTS, AND PEOPLE.
“Nothing equal to it since the Parthenon.” Remembering Charles B. Atwood
Charles Bowler Atwood (1849–December 19, 1895), the most prolific architect of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, designed more than seventy-five buildings and structures, ranging from the stock to the sublime.
91. Picturesque World’s Fair – The Cliff Dwellers
THE CLIFF DWELLERS.--There were few more interesting exhibits at the World's Fair than the home of the ancient Cliff Dwellers, shown in the imitation of Battle Rock Mountain, in the Mac Eimo Valley of Colorado. The curious structure was made of timbers, iron and staff, and stood near the Anthropological Building in the southeast corner of the grounds. The representation of the homes of the people whose history can be but guessed at was most complete, and, upon entering the structure through a cavern made to produce the effect of a canyon, it was difficult for the visitor to [...]
Senior Living Community Celebrates the 1893 World’s Fair
Clarendale of Addison, a new senior living community in suburban Chicago, opened their doors with a celebration having an 1893 World's Fair theme. Read the full story in the Daily Herald.
Season’s Readings: World’s Columbian Exposition Books from 2019
2019 brought several additions to the World’s Columbian Exposition bookshelf.
Echoes of the White City Postscript: “One of the Funniest and Best Things of the Kind”
Midway-themed charity bazaars and fairs were a trend sweeping across America throughout 1894 and beyond. Echoes of the White City could be heard from coast to coast.
Nov. 30-Dec. 29, 2019: Joffrey Ballet’s “Columbian Nutcracker” (Chicago)
Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet once again will stage their spectacular production of The Nutcracker, with story set on the fairgrounds of 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Performances run from November 30 to December 29, 2019, at the Auditorium Theater. This ballet by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, which premiered in 2016, invites the audience to … “journey inside Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair with Wheeldon’s critically acclaimed holiday masterpiece. When young Marie and her mother, a sculptress who is creating the fair’s iconic Statue of the Republic, host a holiday party, a surprise visit from the charming Great Impresario sets off a Christmas Eve [...]
Happy Thanksgiving to our readers!
We give thanks for readers of our website in 2019 and wish you all a pleasant holiday! "Don't look at me that way."
Echoes of the White City Part 4: “Heard No More”
In 1894, Chicago socialites rebuilt a miniature version of the great Midway Plaisance from the 1893 World’s Fair inside of two downtown armories. “Echoes of the White City—The Midway” culminated in a “Grand Finale” on November 27.
Ride the “Midwest Time Machine” to the 1893 World’s Fair
The Newberry Library of Chicago has launched a “Midwest Time Machine,” and one the destinations in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Four first-hand accounts--coming from letters, diaries, and rare books in the Newberry's collections—include a diary of Errett McLeod Graham as he visits the World’s Fair in Chicago between June 24 and July 17, 1893. Hop around a map of the fairgrounds to browse journal entries about smells the Ceylon Building, tastes at the Big Tree Restaurant, sounds in Machinery Hall, and the sight of a Prune Knight. Pace yourself, though. Mr. Grahams send us a message from 1893: [...]
A trip back in time to the World’s Columbian Exposition with the Chicago Reader
In his article “A Trip Back in Time to the World’s Columbian Exposition," published in the November 20, 2019, issue of the Reader, Jeff Nichols has curated an interesting set of travel tips for visitors coming to Chicago for the 1893 World’s Fair. The suggestions, drawn from travel guidebooks and newspapers from around the world, include such sage advice as this, from the Washington Star: “There is nothing more disagreeable than the dude at the fair. He is entirely alone in his glory, for nobody who has any brains at all dresses up for tramping around in the dust [...]