Grover Cleveland – Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

24th U.S. President

“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

“Isn’t it hideous?” Cleveland Caricature is a Columbian Claptrap
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“Isn’t it hideous?” Cleveland Caricature is a Columbian Claptrap

REPRINTS

“Isn’t it hideous?” Cleveland Caricature is a Columbian Claptrap

A flower arrangement made of immortelles (everlastings) at the 1893 World’s Fair intended to depict President Grover Cleveland. The floral display in the Horticultural Building turned heads and turned stomachs. This article in the Chicago Tribune about the “Caricature in Immortelles” included a headline declaring “The Alleged Cleveland Picture in the Horticultural Building an Atrocity.” Under the great dome of the horticultural building, just opposite the main entrance, through which most strangers approached the beautiful display of plants and [...]

By Scott|2025-03-11T11:59:25-05:00March 18th, 2025|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Grover Cleveland, Horticultural Building, John Thorpe|0 Comments

United States Presidents Who Visited the 1893 World’s Fair
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United States Presidents Who Visited the 1893 World’s Fair

HISTORY

United States Presidents Who Visited the 1893 World’s Fair

Greeting ex-President Benjamin Harrison when he visited the Indiana State Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago [Image from the Chicago Inter Ocean September 28, 1893.] Thirteen men who served as President of the United States lived at the time of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Five of them are known to have visited Chicago to see the Fair. Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893) 19th U.S. President (Republican) from March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881. Rutherford [...]

By Scott|2025-02-17T12:00:38-06:00February 17th, 2025|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, Rutherford B. Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley|2 Comments

Charles Dana’s 1892 Roast of Chicago, Part 4. Chicago Responds to the New York Sun’s “Thoroughly Mugmump Concoction”
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Charles Dana’s 1892 Roast of Chicago, Part 4. Chicago Responds to the New York Sun’s “Thoroughly Mugmump Concoction”

REPRINTS

Charles Dana’s 1892 Roast of Chicago, Part 4. Chicago Responds to the New York Sun’s “Thoroughly Mugmump Concoction”

The May 29, 1892, issue of New York Sun contained a nearly full-page invective titled “Chicago As Chicago Is.” Although the piece was signed "THE PICADOR," news outlets attributed this diatribe directly to the Sun’s editor and owner, Charles Dana. Having rebounded from the Great Fire of 1871, the Windy City easily extinguished his malicious editorial roast.

By Scott|2024-09-12T11:33:37-05:00October 13th, 2020|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Charles Dana, Grover Cleveland, New York|0 Comments

THE CITY OF WONDERS: A Souvenir of the World’s Fair (Chapter 6)
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THE CITY OF WONDERS: A Souvenir of the World’s Fair (Chapter 6)

REPRINTS

THE CITY OF WONDERS: A Souvenir of the World’s Fair (Chapter 6)

THE CITY OF WONDERS A SOUVENIR OF THE WORLD'S FAIR by Mary Catherine Crowley (1894)

By Scott|2023-12-20T13:45:56-06:00December 27th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Agricultural Building, Electricity Building, Grover Cleveland, Justice (statue), kinetograph, kinetoscope, Mines and Mining Building, model kitchen, phonograph, rolling chairs, Stollwerk Brothers, telautograph, Thomas Edison, Tower of Light|1 Comment

“The Current War” offers only a dimly lit view of the 1893 World’s Fair
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“The Current War” offers only a dimly lit view of the 1893 World’s Fair

NEWS, VIDEO

“The Current War” offers only a dimly lit view of the 1893 World’s Fair

The 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago shines on the big screen, if only for a few minutes. The Current War (2017, released 2019) tells the story of the rancorous rivalry between inventor Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch), who adamantly championed direct current (DC) technologies to electrify and illuminate American cities, and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon), who banked on alternating current (AC). The legendary “war of the currents” has these titans of the electrical industry setting their sights on powering the Columbian [...]

By Scott|2025-01-30T18:40:44-06:00October 30th, 2019|Categories: NEWS, VIDEO|Tags: Administration Building, Charles Schwab, Daniel Burnham, Dewitt Cregier, electricity, Electricity Building, George Westinghouse, Grover Cleveland, Nikola Tesla, Opening Day, The Current War, Thomas Edison, Tower of Light, Victor Lawson, Zoopraxographical Hall|0 Comments

Night and Day Differences at the 1893 World’s Fair
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Night and Day Differences at the 1893 World’s Fair

NEWS

Night and Day Differences at the 1893 World’s Fair

The October 2019 release of the film The Current War will offer many people their first view of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. A recent trailer offered a tantalizing peak at how the special effects team has recreated the White City. In an attempt to provide some historical background, BBC History recently published an article on the “real history” of the World’s Fair in Chicago that included this description of the Opening Ceremony: “Grover Cleveland had one of the more straightforward [...]

By Scott|2019-07-30T13:02:14-05:00August 2nd, 2019|Categories: NEWS|Tags: Grover Cleveland, Opening Day, The Current War|0 Comments

The Dying Scene of this Magnificent Exposition: Mayor Carter Harrison’s Final Speech
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The Dying Scene of this Magnificent Exposition: Mayor Carter Harrison’s Final Speech

REPRINTS

The Dying Scene of this Magnificent Exposition: Mayor Carter Harrison’s Final Speech

World’s Columbian Exposition celebrated “American Cities Day” on Saturday, October 28, 1893, two days before the close of the Fair. Chicago’s Mayor, Carter Harrison, hosted what was thought to be the largest congregation of U.S. mayors ever assembled. Greeting the guests as they arrived on the fairgrounds on the bitterly cold day was the blast of a cannon and musical fanfares from a group of sixteen trumpeters stationed around Music Hall. Mayors represented the great cities of Philadelphia, Milwaukee, [...]

By Scott|2022-12-10T10:10:40-06:00October 28th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: American Cities Day, Carter Harrison, Columbian Liberty Bell, Daniel Burnham, Devil in the White City (book), Eugene Patrick Prendergast, Grover Cleveland, John Root, Manhattan Day, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Music Hall, New York, New York State Building, Tiffany|0 Comments

Inside the Administration Building Dome: “The Glorification of the Arts and Sciences” by William Dodge (Part I)
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Inside the Administration Building Dome: “The Glorification of the Arts and Sciences” by William Dodge (Part I)

HISTORY

Inside the Administration Building Dome: “The Glorification of the Arts and Sciences” by William Dodge (Part I)

PART I: DECORATING THE DOME OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING “Fame comes only after death to those who have slaved during life.” —William de Leftwich Dodge The gem and crown of the Exposition Along with the Ferris Wheel and the Statue of the Republic, this magnificent structure is one of the most iconic images of the 1893 World’s Fair. With its grand and golden dome, the Administration Building towered over the fairgrounds from a commanding position of honor at the [...]

By Scott|2022-03-05T10:33:42-06:00September 2nd, 2018|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Administration Building, Daniel Burnham, Francis Millet, Frederick MacMonnies, Glorification of the Arts, Grover Cleveland, Horticultural Building, MacMonnies Fountain, Opening Day, Princess Eulalia, Richard Hunt, William Dodge, William Pretyman|1 Comment

Virility on the Midway: “The Longest Beard in the World” (Death Valley Days, 1956)
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Virility on the Midway: “The Longest Beard in the World” (Death Valley Days, 1956)

VIDEO

Virility on the Midway: “The Longest Beard in the World” (Death Valley Days, 1956)

We’ll be exploring other films and videos that use the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition as a setting in our “Filming the Fair” series. Check out other WCE videos in the Zoopraxiscope Hall section of our website. Have you heard of “The Longest Beard in the World” concession on the Midway Plaisance at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition? This fictional attraction plays a part in an episode of the long-running television series Death Valley Days. “The Longest Beard in the [...]

By Scott|2018-07-06T07:33:16-05:00July 28th, 2018|Categories: VIDEO|Tags: “Filming the Fair”, Grover Cleveland, Midway Plaisance, suffragettes|0 Comments

Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key
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Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, addendum: Fate of the Key

Fate of the Key This addendum concludes 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. “Electric Button” stereoscope card photograph. [Image (colorized) from the New York Public Library Digital Archive.] An advertisement for Kirk’s American Family Soap, showing Director-General Davis, the Duke of Veragua, and President Grover Cleveland (and possibly the arm of Mayor Harrison?) [...]

By Scott|2018-05-04T16:28:41-05:00May 5th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Electricity Building, golden key, Grover Cleveland, May 1|0 Comments

Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds
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Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 12: Tour of the Fairgrounds

Tour of the Fairgrounds This is Part 12 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. After the “Banquet of Nations” luncheon, President Cleveland and his entourage embarked on a whirlwind tour of the Columbian Exposition grounds and buildings. They departed from the north entrance of the Administration Building where carriages were waiting. “President Cleveland [...]

Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations
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Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 11: The Banquet of Nations

The Banquet of Nations This is Part 11 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. Pushing the button that launched the great transformation scene to open the 1893 World’s Fair was not the end of the duties of the President of the United States on May 1. Escorted to the café Hardly had the Opening [...]

By Scott|2019-08-17T12:11:22-05:00May 2nd, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Bertha Palmer, Buffalo Bill, Chief No Neck, Duke of Veragua, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, John Burke, May 1, Thomas W. Palmer|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 10: The Great Transformation Scene
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Opening Day, Part 10: The Great Transformation Scene

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 10: The Great Transformation Scene

The Great Transformation Scene This is Part 10 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 last words fell from his lips at the conclusion of his short address, President Grover Cleveland placed his finger on the telegraph key. With his hand touching the electric switchboard, a chrysalis transformation scene was about to begin [...]

By Scott|2022-10-10T08:59:18-05:00May 1st, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: “America”, “Hallelujah Chorus”, Administration Building, Agricultural Building, Allis engine, American flag, Andrew Johnson, Casino, Court of Honor, Duke of Veragua, Exposition Orchestra, Francis Millet, gondolas, Grand Basin, Grover Cleveland, Krupp Gun, Machinery Hall, MacMonnies Fountain, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, May 1, Music Hall, Peristyle, Statue of the Republic|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address
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Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 9: President Grover Cleveland’s Address

President Grover Cleveland's Address This is Part 9 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. Scarcely had Director-General George R. Davis finished his address, when President Cleveland slowly arose from his seat. He swept his eyes first over the occupants of the platform and then over one of the greatest audiences that ever a man [...]

By Scott|2018-04-29T08:49:56-05:00April 30th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, May 1|1 Comment

Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis
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Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Part 8: The Address by Director-General Davis

The Address by Director-General Davis This is Part 8 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. The dignitaries on the platform for the Opening Ceremonies. [Image from the Ryerson and Burnham Archives.] As conductor Thomas laid down his ebony baton following the performance the "Rienzi" overture by the Exposition Orchestra, Director-General George R. Davis [...]

By Scott|2018-04-29T07:11:07-05:00April 29th, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Administration Building, Bertha Palmer, George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Harlow Higinbotham, May 1, Thomas W. Palmer|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 [...]

Opening Day, Introduction: Chicago’s Day of Days
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Opening Day, Introduction: Chicago’s Day of Days

OPENING DAY

Opening Day, Introduction: Chicago’s Day of Days

Chicago’s Day of Days May 1, 1893 "Opening of the World's Fair" [Image from the Library of Congress.] The day of days had arrived in Chicago. After winning the bid to host the World’s Columbian Exposition, months of searching to select Jackson Park as the site of the fairgrounds, the death of the lead architect, two years of constructing a White City on the shores of Lake Michigan, damaging winter storms, delays and setbacks, and a Dedication Day [...]

By Scott|2018-04-21T06:50:59-05:00April 21st, 2018|Categories: OPENING DAY|Tags: Grover Cleveland, May 1, Opening Day, Woman's Building|1 Comment

Grover Cleveland’s Columbian Exposition Keepsake
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Grover Cleveland’s Columbian Exposition Keepsake

REPRINTS

Grover Cleveland’s Columbian Exposition Keepsake

We conclude a trio of stories this week about President Grover Cleveland’s visit to the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago with a newspaper report about a handsome Columbian Exposition keepsake. The following tidbit about Opening Day of the Columbian Exposition on May 1, 1893, comes from “The Great Fair Opens” in the June 1893 issue of Current Literature [public domain]. Bibliophiles may wonder where this handsome volume is today! ___________________________________________________________ President Cleveland, says the Chicago Record, carried away with [...]

By Scott|2018-03-18T09:42:58-05:00March 20th, 2018|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: George R. Davis, Grover Cleveland, Official Catalogue, Opening Day|0 Comments