Adlai Stevenson

“It would never do to leave it out”: How the Columbian Exposition was omitted from the U.S. Capitol’s FRIEZE OF AMERICAN HISTORY
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“It would never do to leave it out”: How the Columbian Exposition was omitted from the U.S. Capitol’s FRIEZE OF AMERICAN HISTORY

HISTORY

“It would never do to leave it out”: How the Columbian Exposition was omitted from the U.S. Capitol’s FRIEZE OF AMERICAN HISTORY

The United States Capitol almost became the home of a painting to commemorate the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. [Image from Pennsylvania Railroad to the Columbian Exposition (Pennsylvania Railroad Co., 1892).] U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., February 24, 1890 “CHICAGO WINS,” headlines read across the country the next morning. The Midwest metropolis won the bid to host the upcoming World’s Fair on the eighth vote in the House of Representatives. After a six-hour battle on February 24, 1890, the [...]

By Scott|2025-08-18T09:14:31-05:00September 18th, 2025|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Adlai Stevenson, Bertha Palmer, Columbian Guard, Dewitt Cregier, Duke of Veragua, Frances E Willard, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, James W. Ellsworth, Kenyon Cox, Potter Palmer, Princess Eulalia, William E Curtis|0 Comments

“Let this gentleman in at once”: Trouble at the Gate of the 1893 World’s Fair
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“Let this gentleman in at once”: Trouble at the Gate of the 1893 World’s Fair

HISTORY

“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 Scott|2024-11-28T08:37:22-06:00June 14th, 2023|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Adlai Stevenson, Eugene Field, Horace Tucker, William T. Baker|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity
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Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 3: A Sea of Humanity

A Sea of Humanity This is Part 3 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. As the procession of the President of the United States began its march south on Michigan Avenue, thousands of people in downtown Chicago began forming their own spontaneous parade to the World’s Fair. Everyone on West Madison Street and North [...]

Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds
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Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 2: Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds

Presidential Procession to the Fairgrounds This is Part 2 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here. Finely decorated with flags and bunting The Auditorium Building, where the Duke of Vergua stayed. [Image from the Rijksmueum, Amsterdam.] On the morning of Opening Day of the 1893 World’s Fair, the center of attraction in downtown Chicago [...]