RECENT POSTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION’S BUILDING, FAIRGROUNDS, EXHIBITS, EVENTS, AND PEOPLE.
Aug. 11, 2018 Ride Like the Devil in a “Devil in the White City” Bike Tour (Chicago)
The Chicago History Museum is offering a “Ride Like the Devil: a Devil in the White City Bike Tour” on August 11, 2018, from 9 am to noon. Cycle back to 1893, pedal past sites related to the World’s Fair, and discover its lasting influence on Chicago. Along the way, tour guide Greg Borzo, author of Where to Bike Chicago, will uncover Daniel Burnham’s grand plans and the devilish doings of H. H. Holmes. The route will take riders past the site of one of the greatest attractions of the Columbian Exposition, which was modeled on the design of [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – Statue of Columbus Taking Possession (p. 57)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 57 – STATUE OF COLUMBUS TAKING POSSESSION Only in a lesser degree than that accorded the Statue of the Republic was attention secured by its commanding situation to the statue representing Columbus taking possession of America. It stood in front of the eastern portal of the Administration Building, where were always throngs assembled whether the attendance of the Fair was light or heavy. In this part of the plaza the thousands gathered to listen to the music and to look out upon the beauties of the Court of Honor [...]
Chicago History Museum Members Open House 2018
We are enthusiastic supporters of the Chicago History Museum here at WorldsFairChicago1893.com. The museum (formerly known as the Chicago Historical Society) owns a collection filled with interesting and rare items pertaining to the 1893 World’s Fair. The museum’s regular displays of WCE artifacts can be viewed in the “Chicago Crossroads” exhibit, and a stunning miniature view of the Court of Honor on the Grand Basin resides in the Chicago Dioramas room. The CHM Research Center provided access to one of the largest and most significant collections of Columbian Exposition materials in existence, while the bookstore offers a selection of [...]
July 12, 2018: National Automobile Museum talk on 1893 World’s Fair Products
The National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada, will be hosting a talk and discussion on popular products introduced during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Clothing historian Carolyn Runnells will present a 30-minute talk followed by a Q&A as part of the Museum’s “Second Thursday Talks” series. The event will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2018, from 1:30-2 p.m. in the Museum's theater. Last April, the Museum held an 1893 World’s Mini-Fair.
A Night at the Exposition on the Fourth of July, 1893
“Combine all the adjectives in the English language that express beauty, loveliness, grace and perfection, even then you will fail to describe a gala night at the Exposition.” -- World’s Columbian Exposition Illustrated January 1894. July 4, 1893, was a special day at the World’s Columbian Exposition, designated as "United States Day." Attendance swelled to enormous 283,273 paid visitors, making this the largest attendance of any day so far—even greater than on Opening Day—and perhaps the largest festival attendance in United States history. This article from the January 1894 issues of World’s Columbian Exposition Illustrated, describes the beauty of [...]
Fireworks over the Grand Basin
"It was something gorgeous and deafening while it lasted, and it lasted an hour. At one time the lake shore for half a mile was fringed with intense magnesium fires, which threw a white, unnatural light over the dense, immovable thousands. When the people looked at the fires the press of humanity had a dark, somber shade. When a rocket went up and the faces were lifted, a sudden pallor spread itself over the great area, a weird transformation, seen only by those who looked down from the lofty rail of the peristyle. Chicago has seen fireworks before, but [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Columbian Liberty Bell (p. 56)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 56 – THE COLUMBIAN LIBERTY BELL THE COLUMBIAN LIBERTY BELL.—Not least among the ideas natural to the Columbian year, and which finally embodied themselves, was that of casting a new Liberty Bell, one the very metal of which should have associations connected with the thought of liberty and a universal brotherhood. The plan of such a bell was conceived by Mr. William McDowell, of New Jersey, and it was he who carried it into execution. Correspondence was entered into on an extensive scale, contributions for the bell came from [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – United States Military Encampment, Government Plaza (p. 55)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 55 – UNITED STATES MILITARY ENCAMPMENT, GOVERNMENT PLAZA UNITED STATES MILITARY ENCAMPMENT, GOVERNMENT PLAZA.—North and east of the Manufactures Building was an extensive plaza devoted altogether to the uses of the United States Government. Here were the military encampment, the life-saving station, the signal service bureau, the naval station, the light-house exhibit and similar governmental features. The view shown is taken from the Government Building looking southeast, the northeast corner of the Manufactures Building filling most of the picture. Very neat and well kept was the military encampment at [...]
June 2018 Trivia Question
Our monthly newsletter includes a “Palmer Puzzler” exclusive to those who subscribe. The first person to send us the correct answer wins a small prize. The June 2018 Trivia Question When the Ferris Wheel attraction finally opened, on June 21, 1893, which musical group performed in one of the cars for the inaugural rotation? A. the Iowa State Band B. the Exposition Orchestra C. the Irish Village choir D. John Philip Sousa’s band The winner of the June 2018 Trivia Question is B.W., who knew the answer is A. Although the other three musical groups performed regularly during the [...]
Iowa State Band Performs on Inaugural Spin of the Ferris Wheel
The great Ferris Wheel opened to the public on June 21, 1893. Though more than a month late (the fair opened on May 1), the wheel became one of the most popular attraction of the World’s Columbian Exposition. Some 2,000 spectators gathered on the Midway Plaisance for the opening ceremony. The festivities began at 3 pm with speeches by Robert W. Hunt, President of the Ferris Wheel Company; George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., engineer and designer of the metal monster, and General Nelson A. Miles. Mrs. Ferris then presented a golden whistle to her husband, which he blew at [...]