“The greatest educational exhibit on earth.” Francis W. Parker on the 1893 World’s Fair

Educational reformer Francis W. Parker (1837–1902) advocated for the mental, physical, and moral development of children in public schools. “There is, perhaps, no name more widely known among the teachers of this country, than that of Col. Francis W. Parker,” wrote Lelia E. Patridge in 1883. During the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, Colonel Parker served as the principal of the Cook County Normal School in Chicago. He participated in the World’s Congress of Education held in July, presenting a [...]

By Scott|2025-08-19T09:33:51-05:00October 9th, 2025|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: , |0 Comments

“Sick of the picturesque”: Hamlin Garland oversells the 1893 World’s Fair

Note: Hamlin Garland will be inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 5:30—8 pm at the Chicago History Museum. Further information about Hamlin Garland can be found at the Hamlin Garland Society website https://www.garlandsociety.org/ “Sell the cook stove if necessary and come. You must see this fair.” This oft-repeated quote, brimming with enthusiasm and promise for the 1893 World’s Fair, was Hamlin Garland’s enticement for his parents to visit [...]

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