Board of Lady Managers – Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

Tea from the Boston Tea Party at the 1893 World’s Fair
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Tea from the Boston Tea Party at the 1893 World’s Fair

HISTORY

Tea from the Boston Tea Party at the 1893 World’s Fair

Two hundred and fifty years ago, on December 16, 1773, American colonists angry at the British crown for imposing taxation without representation, staged what became known as “The Boston Tea Party.” This act of colonial defiance to British rule has become a legendary part of American history, although aspects of the story are steeped in myth. Some of the tea from Boston Harbor appears to have made its way to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In the [...]

By Scott|2023-12-16T12:18:20-06:00December 16th, 2023|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Board of Lady Managers, Children's Building, U.S. Government Building, W.W. Denslow|0 Comments

Sep. 21, 2023: “Women’s Work at the 1893 World’s Fair” (Evanston, IL)
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Sep. 21, 2023: “Women’s Work at the 1893 World’s Fair” (Evanston, IL)

EVENTS (past)

Sep. 21, 2023: “Women’s Work at the 1893 World’s Fair” (Evanston, IL)

The Evanston History Center will host a presentation on "Women’s Work at the 1893 World’s Fair" by Diane Dillon on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 7 pm. Her presentation will explore the range of contributions women made to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, including the work of Bertha Palmer and the Board of Lady Managers, the protest of Ida B. Wells, the design of the Woman’s Building by architect Sophia Hayden, and the Congress of Representative Women. [...]

By Scott|2023-10-02T13:37:30-05:00August 31st, 2023|Categories: EVENTS (past)|Tags: Bertha Palmer, Board of Lady Managers, Congress of Representative Women, Ida B. Wells, Sophia Hayden, Woman's Building|2 Comments

“World’s Fair Souvenir Cook Book” advice for Thanksgiving
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“World’s Fair Souvenir Cook Book” advice for Thanksgiving

NEWS

“World’s Fair Souvenir Cook Book” advice for Thanksgiving

Utah Public Radio’s “Eating the Past: Old-time Advice on Table Manners” explores a culinary contribution from the 1893 World’s Fair Board of Lady Managers. Dr. Tammy Proctor recently dug out a copy of The 'Home Queen' World's Fair Souvenir Cook Book (George F. Cram, 1893) from Utah State University’s Merrill-Cazier Library. “The emphasis on Progress with a capital ‘P’ at the fair,” Proctor observes, “itself translates well to this imposing volume.” The cookbook reminds readers that “good manners are [...]

By Scott|2022-11-24T08:18:39-06:00November 23rd, 2022|Categories: NEWS|Tags: Board of Lady Managers|0 Comments

Utah Women Raise Money for the 1893 World’s Fair
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Utah Women Raise Money for the 1893 World’s Fair

AUDIO, NEWS

Utah Women Raise Money for the 1893 World’s Fair

A new podcast highlights the work of Margaret Salisbury and women in Utah, who raised funds for their state displays in the Woman’s Building and in the Utah Building of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Zion’s Suffragists podcast from the Deseret News explores how Utah pioneered voting rights for women in the United States. Episode 3, “Woman will be restored,” features Salisbury, who served on the Board of Lady Managers as one of its vice-presidents and [...]

By Scott|2020-01-31T14:06:48-06:00January 31st, 2020|Categories: AUDIO, NEWS|Tags: Board of Lady Managers, Margaret Salisbury, Utah State Building, Woman's Building|1 Comment

Echoes of the White City Part 4: “Heard No More”
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Echoes of the White City Part 4: “Heard No More”

HISTORY

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.

By Scott|2022-10-03T09:09:02-05:00November 27th, 2019|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Board of Lady Managers, camels, Chicago Hussars, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Eugene Field, Harlow Higinbotham, Isabella quarter, Michigan Military Academy Cadets, Midway Plaisance, Thomas W. Palmer, Virginia Meredith|0 Comments

Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part III
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Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part III

REPRINTS

Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part III

Throughout Women’s History Month, we’re reflecting on women’s valuable contributions to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Reprinted here is Part 3 of “Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair” from the May 1893 issue of The Review of Reviews. “The Children's Building” was contributed by Clara Doty Bates, who served as the librarian for the building. Earlier this month we posted Part 1 and Part 2. Additional images have been added to the original article. Clara Doty Bates. [Image [...]

By Scott|2022-03-05T10:47:01-06:00March 20th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Alexander Sandier, Bertha Palmer, Board of Lady Managers, Children's Building, Clara Doty Bates, Columbian Bazaar, Emily Huntington, George L. Dunlap, Pauline A. Shaw, Woman's Building|1 Comment

Ellen Martin Henrotin, Vice-President of the Women’s Branch of the World’s Congress Auxiliary
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Ellen Martin Henrotin, Vice-President of the Women’s Branch of the World’s Congress Auxiliary

HISTORY

Ellen Martin Henrotin, Vice-President of the Women’s Branch of the World’s Congress Auxiliary

“To her belongs much of the credit for the strong feminist emphasis that characterized the Columbian Exposition.” --James, et al. Notable American Women, 1607-1950, p 182. Ellen M. Henrotin [Image from Pictorial Album and History of the World’s Fair and Midway. Harry T. Smith & Co., 1893.] Socialite and social reformer, Ellen Martin Henrotin (1847-1922) served as Vice President of the World’s Congress Auxiliary of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Educated in Europe, Ellen Martin moved [...]

By Scott|2023-12-20T13:27:12-06:00March 14th, 2019|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Bertha Palmer, Board of Lady Managers, Ellen Henrotin, Susan B. Anthony|0 Comments

Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part II
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Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part II

REPRINTS

Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part II

March is Women’s History Month and a fitting time to reflect on women’s valuable contributions to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Reprinted here is Part 2 of “Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair” from the May 1893 issue of The Review of Reviews. “The Woman's Branch of the World's Congress Auxiliary” was written by Ellen M. Henrotin, Vice-President of the Woman's Branch of the World's Congress Auxiliary. Part 1 was posted earlier this month, and Parts 3 will follow [...]

By Scott|2023-12-20T13:27:51-06:00March 13th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Bertha Palmer, Board of Lady Managers, Edna Dean Proctor, Elizabeth A. Reed, Ellen Henrotin, Frances E Willard, Helena Modjeska, Julia Marlowe, Julia Ward Howe, Lady Henry Somerset, Susan B. Anthony|2 Comments

Virginia Claypool Meredith, the “The Queen of American Agriculture” on the Board of Lady Managers
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Virginia Claypool Meredith, the “The Queen of American Agriculture” on the Board of Lady Managers

HISTORY

Virginia Claypool Meredith, the “The Queen of American Agriculture” on the Board of Lady Managers

“It is not likely that there will ever again be any distinction so artificial as that of sex between the skill of men and women--unlikely that there will ever again be a woman’s department in any World’s Fair.” --Virginia Meredith, from a speech given at the Indiana Union of Literary Clubs meeting, May 1892. [reprinted in Whitford, et al. The Queen of American Agriculture: A Biography of Virginia Claypool Meredith] Virginia Claypool Meredith, Vice President of the Board [...]

By Scott|2019-03-02T08:20:14-06:00March 2nd, 2019|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Board of Lady Managers, Virginia Meredith|0 Comments

Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part I
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Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part I

REPRINTS

Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair, Part I

March is Women’s History Month and a fitting time to reflect on women’s valuable contributions to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Reprinted here is Part 1 of “Woman’s Part at the World’s Fair” from the May 1893 issue of The Review of Reviews. “The Work of the Board of Lady Managers” was written by one of its Vice Presidents, Virginia C. Meredith of Indiana. Parts 2 and 3 will follow later this month. Section headers and additional images have [...]

By Scott|2024-04-01T18:57:31-05:00March 1st, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Bertha Palmer, Board of Lady Managers, Candace Wheeler, Sophia Hayden, Virginia Meredith, Woman's Building|0 Comments

Chicago Magazine Recalls the “Indecent Undulations” on the Midway Plaisance
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Chicago Magazine Recalls the “Indecent Undulations” on the Midway Plaisance

NEWS

Chicago Magazine Recalls the “Indecent Undulations” on the Midway Plaisance

A photograph of "Egyptian Dancing Girls" from Picturesque World’s Fair shows more modest attire than is often described for the "belly dancer" show on the Midway. The February 2019 issue of Chicago Magazine offers a historical survey of baring skin in the Windy City. “Unbuttoning Chicago’s History of Covering Up” opens with the 1893 World’s Fair, summarizing how the “belly dancers” in the Street in Cairo exhibit on the Midway Plaisance shocked some viewers, raised ire of the [...]

By Scott|2022-03-05T10:40:24-06:00January 26th, 2019|Categories: NEWS|Tags: "Belly Dancer", Anthony Comstock, Board of Lady Managers, Midway Plaisance, Street in Cairo|0 Comments

Tchaikovsky’s Tribute to Children for the 1893 World’s Fair
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Tchaikovsky’s Tribute to Children for the 1893 World’s Fair

HISTORY

Tchaikovsky’s Tribute to Children for the 1893 World’s Fair

“Earth hold no music half so sweet as the laughter of a happy child.” -- Bertha Palmer in Fame's Tribute to Children (1893) On this day the world remembers the great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (May 7, 1840 -- November 6, 1893), who died 125 years ago. Although he did not attend the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, he did provide a small musical gift to help build it. The Children's Building. [Image from Bancroft, Hubert [...]

By Scott|2022-03-05T10:37:56-06:00November 6th, 2018|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Bertha Palmer, Board of Lady Managers, Children's Building, Eugene Field, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Theodore Thomas|1 Comment

Hopes of the Coming Humanity: Remembering Frances E. Willard
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Hopes of the Coming Humanity: Remembering Frances E. Willard

REPRINTS

Hopes of the Coming Humanity: Remembering Frances E. Willard

“The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.” – Frances E. Willard Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Frances E. Willard (September 28, 1839 – February 17, 1898), a member of the Lady Board of Managers of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the president of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. The profile of this notable women’s rights activist comes from the October 1891 issue of [...]

By Scott|2018-09-28T08:10:05-05:00September 28th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Board of Lady Managers, Frances E Willard|0 Comments

A Flag for the Fair
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A Flag for the Fair

REPRINTS

A Flag for the Fair

In 1893, the U.S. flag sported forty-four stars for the forty-four states of the union. Flag Day marks the anniversary of adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. An official holiday (though not a federal holiday) since 1946, Flag Day commemorations emerged in the 1880s. Apparently there were no Flag Day observances at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition on June 14, though. In honor of "Old Glory," we offer this article from the November [...]

By Scott|2018-07-03T07:54:52-05:00June 14th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Board of Lady Managers, Columbian Liberty Bell, Dedication Day, Flag Day, George Simeon Knapp, Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania State Building, Woman's Building, World's Columbian Exposition Illustrated|1 Comment

March 23/25, 2018: Lecture on Composer Amy Beach (Boston)
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March 23/25, 2018: Lecture on Composer Amy Beach (Boston)

EVENTS (past)

March 23/25, 2018: Lecture on Composer Amy Beach (Boston)

Composer and pianist Amy Beach (1867-1944) made significant musical contributions to the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The Board of Lady Managers of the World's Columbian Exposition commissioned Beach to compose her Festival Jubilate (Op. 17) for the dedication of the Woman’s Building in October of 1892. This was her first commissioned work and reportedly is the first known work of an American woman composer commissioned in the U.S. “Why Amy Beach Matters” is the title of a lecture and [...]

By Scott|2023-01-12T20:31:04-06:00March 19th, 2018|Categories: EVENTS (past)|Tags: Amy Beach, Board of Lady Managers, Festival Jubilate, Maud Powell, music, Woman's Building, Women’s Musical Congress|0 Comments

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – Egyptian Dancing Girls (p. 34)
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PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – Egyptian Dancing Girls (p. 34)

REPRINTS

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – Egyptian Dancing Girls (p. 34)

PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWSPage 34 – EGYPTIAN DANCING GIRLSEGYPTIAN DANCING GIRLS.—That prominent feature of the Midway Plaisance, a Street in Cairo, had a theatre among its attractions, and what doubtless drew most visitors to this place of entertainment, was the performance of the Egyptian Dancing Girls. The illustration gives excellent portraits of the three dusky beauties who were most prominent there, and shows also the semi-Oriental costume in which they danced. Of the performance it [...]

By Randy|2018-03-11T14:36:21-05:00February 20th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: "Belly Dancer", Board of Lady Managers, Egyptian Dancing Girls, Midway Plaisance, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Street in Cairo|1 Comment