Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building – Chicago's 1893 Worlds Fair

180. Picturesque World’s Fair – Looking East from the Golden Door
Gallery
180. Picturesque World’s Fair – Looking East from the Golden Door

REPRINTS

180. Picturesque World’s Fair – Looking East from the Golden Door

LOOKING EAST FROM THE GOLDEN DOOR.—Very few views, possibly not more than one, were taken eastward from the Golden Door. That remarkable portal was so striking in itself that it did not occur, apparently, to any one of the various photographers to take any picture in its vicinity which did not include the glittering entrance. There were numerous views near the southern extremity of the lagoons, but there was only one taken at the extreme end and looking across [...]

By Randy|2025-12-14T09:51:58-06:00December 14th, 2025|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Electricity Building, Golden Door, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Mines and Mining Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Wooded Island|0 Comments

The Chicago Orchestra’s 1892 Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite”
Gallery
The Chicago Orchestra’s 1892 Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite”

HISTORY

The Chicago Orchestra’s 1892 Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite”

One of America’s most beloved holiday artistic traditions originated in imperial Russia and came to the United States through Chicago at the time of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. On October 22, 1892, an audience of Chicagoans—joined by distinguished guests in town for the World’s Fair Dedication Day exercises—gathered in the Auditorium to hear a concert by the Chicago Orchestra conducted by Theodore Thomas. During the third piece on the program, songs of waltzing flowers, terpsichorean reeds, and a [...]

By Scott|2025-12-02T09:28:00-06:00December 2nd, 2025|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Auditorium, Bertha Palmer, Clarence Eddy, Daniel Burnham, Dedication Day, Edward Potter, Electricity Building, Exposition Orchestra, Festival Hall, George H. Wilson, Harry G. Selfridge, Joffrey Ballet, John Philip Sousa, Louis Sullivan, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Marshall Field, Music Hall, Russia Day, Theodore Thomas, Walt Disney, Walter Damrosch, William Le Baron Jenney, Woman's Building|0 Comments

179. Picturesque World’s Fair – East Front of the Manufactures Building
Gallery
179. Picturesque World’s Fair – East Front of the Manufactures Building

REPRINTS

179. Picturesque World’s Fair – East Front of the Manufactures Building

EAST FRONT OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING.—From the lake alone could be obtained a comprehensive view of the Manufactures Building, the largest structure in the world. From the harbor it could be observed in all the majesty of its magnitude. It was like a mountain range, the first story and descending slope forming foothills to the great dome which, with the balustrade surmounting the promenade formed the crest of the range. It looked as if it were the work of [...]

By Randy|2025-09-21T10:57:08-05:00October 10th, 2025|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Lake Michigan, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR|0 Comments

“A realized picture one will never forget”: Windsor Castle in Miniature at the Columbian Exposition
Gallery
“A realized picture one will never forget”: Windsor Castle in Miniature at the Columbian Exposition

HISTORY

“A realized picture one will never forget”: Windsor Castle in Miniature at the Columbian Exposition

Visitors to the 1893 World’s Fair who entered the west portal of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building encountered a remarkable scene on their right. The striking display left no doubt that they had arrived in the exhibition space of Great Britain. A handsome art gallery wore a fanciful crown—a detailed miniature of Windsor Castle, forty-five feet long and eighteen feet wide. This intricate roof-top model enticed visitors to enter the Sunlight Soap pavilion sponsored by Messrs. Lever Brothers [...]

By Scott|2025-08-18T18:37:41-05:00August 19th, 2025|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: Agricultural Building, Great Britain, Lever Brothers, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Queen Victoria, Victoria House, White Star Line building, Woman's Building|1 Comment

The biggest building in the world was at the 1893 Columbian Exposition
Gallery
The biggest building in the world was at the 1893 Columbian Exposition

REPRINTS

The biggest building in the world was at the 1893 Columbian Exposition

How big was the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building at the 1893 World’s Fair? The MLAB was the largest building in the world and the largest roofed building that had ever erected at that time. The south front of the Manufactures Building at the 1893 World’s Fair. At 787 feet wide, this is the shorter end of the mammoth structure. [Image from Picturesque World’s Fair (W.B. Conkey, 1894); digitally edited and © worldsfairchicago1893.com.] At 1687 feet long by [...]

By Scott|2025-03-27T11:06:11-05:00March 28th, 2025|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building|2 Comments

Maps of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in the Library of Congress
Gallery
Maps of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in the Library of Congress

NEWS

Maps of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in the Library of Congress

Maps of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition fairgrounds offer a fascinating look at the evolving design of the Jackson Park campus and of the continuous changes during the run of the Fair. The Library of Congress holds many interesting specimens of World’s Fair cartography in the collection of the Geography and Map Division. Cynthia Smith’s blog post “Chicago in 1893: Selected Maps of the World’s Columbian Exposition” (December 4, 2024) highlights several maps and exhibit hall floorplans from the [...]

By Scott|2024-12-30T08:31:42-06:00December 14th, 2024|Categories: NEWS|Tags: Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, map|0 Comments

164. Picturesque World’s Fair – The North Canal – Looking South
Gallery
164. Picturesque World’s Fair – The North Canal – Looking South

REPRINTS

164. Picturesque World’s Fair – The North Canal – Looking South

THE NORTH CANAL—LOOKING SOUTH —From a point near the west approach to the bridge connecting the Electricity and Manufactures Buildings a view was afforded southward down the South Canal, which had many interesting features. The always thronged bridge between the plaza in front of the Administration Building and the south front of the Manufactures cuts off, it is true, a portion of the view but adds in itself an interesting feature. The photograph from which the illustrations were made [...]

By Randy|2024-05-12T09:49:55-05:00May 12th, 2024|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Administration Building, Agricultural Building, colonnade, Electricity Building, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Obelisk, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Rostral Columns, South Canal|0 Comments

Seeing the Solar Eclipse of 1893 at the World’s Fair
Gallery
Seeing the Solar Eclipse of 1893 at the World’s Fair

HISTORY

Seeing the Solar Eclipse of 1893 at the World’s Fair

Did you see it? Viewers on April 8, 2024, snapped countless millions of photographs of the solar eclipse. For the total solar eclipse of April 16, 1893—visible in South America and Africa—only a handful of photographs were taken. At least one made it into a display at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. A photograph of the April 1893 solar eclipse, exhibited in the California State Building at the 1893 World's Fair. [Image from Bancroft, Hubert Howe [...]

By Scott|2024-04-08T08:34:28-05:00April 8th, 2024|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: California State Building, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building|0 Comments

163. Picturesque World’s Fair – The German Porcelain Display
Gallery
163. Picturesque World’s Fair – The German Porcelain Display

REPRINTS

163. Picturesque World’s Fair – The German Porcelain Display

THE GERMAN PORCELAIN DISPLAY.—What proved one of the greatest attractions to art lovers who visited the German section in the Manufactures Building was the wonderful porcelain display. No collection of just the same character and quality had ever before been seen in the United States, nor, indeed, elsewhere, and a delighted throng was constantly examining this portion of Germany's fine exhibit. The illustration affords a good idea of the general style of arrangement, something devised by the most famous [...]

By Randy|2025-07-12T08:42:33-05:00April 8th, 2024|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: German exhibit, Germany, Glory of Germania, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Porcelain Porch|0 Comments

The Fair as a Spectacle, Part 1: “Behold my grandeur!”
Gallery
The Fair as a Spectacle, Part 1: “Behold my grandeur!”

REPRINTS

The Fair as a Spectacle, Part 1: “Behold my grandeur!”

Continued from Introduction THE FAIR AS A SPECTACLE. How it seemed to a visitor—Strolling and dreaming by day and by night. By Charles Mulford Robinson Part 1: “Behold my grandeur!” As a loving word rings in the heart when the voice that breathed it is still, as a beautiful face dwells in Memory’s kingdom after years have flown, and a noble deed still lives though its occasion be passed, so the beauty of the Fair, written anew in thousands [...]

By Scott|2023-07-03T06:44:38-05:00June 30th, 2023|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Charles Mulford Robinson, clock tower, Columbus Quadriga, Court of Honor, Grand Basin, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Peristyle, Statue of the Republic|2 Comments

The Making of the White City (Part 2)
Gallery
The Making of the White City (Part 2)

REPRINTS

The Making of the White City (Part 2)

[Continued from Part 1] A great stage decked with ambitious scenery Perhaps the first thing that would strike a stranger entering the World’s Fair grounds in the summer of 1892 would be the silence of the place, the next the almost theatrical unreality of the impression by the sight of an assemblage of buildings so startlingly out of the common in size and form. When I speak of the silence, I mean the effect of silence. There are seven [...]

By Scott|2025-07-23T10:15:53-05:00February 13th, 2023|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Agricultural Building, Daniel Burnham, Electricity Building, Fisheries Building, Francis Millet, Frederick Law Olmsted, Golden Door, Henry Codman, Henry Ives Cobb, Horticultural Building, Illinois State Building, illumination, Jenny, Karl Bitter, lagoon, Machinery Hall, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Mines and Mining Building, Palace of Fine Arts, Peabody & Stearns, Philip Martiny, Richard Hunt, Solon S. Beman, staff, Statue of the Republic, telephone, U.S. Government Building, Van Brunt & Howe, William Le Baron Jenney, Woman's Building|0 Comments

145. Picturesque World’s Fair – West Main Entrance of the Manufactures Building
Gallery
145. Picturesque World’s Fair – West Main Entrance of the Manufactures Building

REPRINTS

145. Picturesque World’s Fair – West Main Entrance of the Manufactures Building

WEST MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING.—Columbia Avenue, the great thoroughfare which extended north and south through the Manufactures Building, was crossed at the center by a similar broad way, and. this interior street where it terminated at the west afforded exit upon a particularly beautiful scene. Across the North Canal and at the entrance to the East Lagoon a bridge extended, over which passed and repassed the throng between the Manufactures and the group of large structures west [...]

By Randy|2022-11-13T09:03:45-06:00November 13th, 2022|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: colonnade, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Obelisk, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Wooded Island|0 Comments

Seizing Russian Assets at the 1893 World’s Fair
Gallery
Seizing Russian Assets at the 1893 World’s Fair

HISTORY

Seizing Russian Assets at the 1893 World’s Fair

Arriving unannounced and dressed in civilian clothing, United States government officials attempted to seize Russian assets in Chicago. In retaliation of the invasion, the Russians abruptly withdrew from a major international alliance. The year was 1893. The World’s Columbian Exposition was a trade show on a colossal scale. Foreign countries and businesses sent to the World's Fair in Chicago an enormous quantity of goods to display in the great halls of the White City. Though ostensibly exhibits, many of [...]

By Scott|2022-03-12T07:08:10-06:00March 12th, 2022|Categories: HISTORY|Tags: George R. Davis, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Russia|1 Comment

130. Picturesque World’s Fair – Fire-Works July 4th from the roof of the Manufactures Building
Gallery
130. Picturesque World’s Fair – Fire-Works July 4th from the roof of the Manufactures Building

REPRINTS

130. Picturesque World’s Fair – Fire-Works July 4th from the roof of the Manufactures Building

FIRE-WORKS JULY 4th FROM THE ROOF OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING.--A view of just such quality as was never had before and may not be had again for a long time was gained by those of the World's Fair visitors who witnessed a fire-works display from such vantage ground as the roof of the Manufactures Building afforded. Upon that great area in mid-air a host of people could be assembled and, on the warm summer nights, thousands improved the opportunity [...]

By Randy|2021-11-25T15:48:41-06:00November 25th, 2021|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: fireworks, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR|0 Comments

124. Picturesque World’s Fair – State Buildings Looking South
Gallery
124. Picturesque World’s Fair – State Buildings Looking South

REPRINTS

124. Picturesque World’s Fair – State Buildings Looking South

STATE BUILDINGS—LOOKING SOUTH.—The city of State Buildings at the north end of the Fair Grounds afforded many interesting bird's-eye views, of which one of the prettiest is given in the accompanying illustration. The view taken is from an elevated point at the northern extremity of the inclosed area, and very nearly at the center east and west. In the foreground, at the right, appears the log-built chalet of Idaho, beyond which is the Maryland Building, the gable of that [...]

By Randy|2021-08-23T05:12:58-05:00August 23rd, 2021|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Connecticut State Building, Delaware State Building, Guatemala Building, Illinois State Building, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Maryland State Building, Massachusetts State Building, New Jersey State Building, New York State Building, Palace of Fine Arts, Pennsylvania State Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Rhode Island State Building, U.S. Government Building, Vermont State Building, Virginia State Building|0 Comments

122. Picturesque World’s Fair – South Front of the Manufactures Building
Gallery
122. Picturesque World’s Fair – South Front of the Manufactures Building

REPRINTS

122. Picturesque World’s Fair – South Front of the Manufactures Building

SOUTH FRONT OF THE MANUFACTURES BUILDING.—While not its greatest frontage, the south end of the Manufactures Building was most familiar to Exposition visitors, facing as it did to the Court of Honor and affording between it and the Grand Basin a vantage point for seeing the fountains at play and the illumination of the buildings at night. The illustration above shows this frontage as well as that on the west, adjacent to the canal and the East Lagoon. The [...]

By Randy|2021-07-07T05:36:10-05:00July 7th, 2021|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Columbian Fountain, Court of Honor, Grand Basin, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Richard Hunt|0 Comments

“Halcyon Days in the Dream City’’ Part 9: Manufactures Building
Gallery
“Halcyon Days in the Dream City’’ Part 9: Manufactures Building

REPRINTS

“Halcyon Days in the Dream City’’ Part 9: Manufactures Building

Halcyon Days in the Dream City by Mrs. D. C. Taylor Continued from Part 8 Pause, before you enter, and gaze upon this mighty mass of crystal and iron;[1] union of purity and strength, seemingly so frail and airy, and yet in reality so firm and stable. Look at the roof, like a huge translucent wave, at the grand majestic archways towering high above you, with their pictured allegorys [sic] smiling down upon you from their airy heights.[2] Step [...]

By Scott|2021-04-02T11:21:41-05:00November 15th, 2020|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: clock tower, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Porcelain Porch|2 Comments

Chicago00 Launches 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition VR Web Portal
Gallery
Chicago00 Launches 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition VR Web Portal

NEWS

Chicago00 Launches 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition VR Web Portal

Grab your Columbian Exposition return pass and head back to the 1893 World’s Fair virtually with the Chicago 00 Project, which has launched their 1893 World's Columbian Exposition VR web portal at https://1893.chicago00.org/. A partnership between the Chicago History Museum and filmmaker Geoffrey Alan Rhodes, the Chicago 00 Project has been producing a series of interactive multimedia experiences using historical images of important sites and events in Chicago. Their augmented reality app allows participant to overlay historic photos with [...]

By Scott|2020-06-29T10:42:24-05:00June 29th, 2020|Categories: NEWS|Tags: Chicago History Museum, Ferris Wheel, gondolas, Grand Basin, Horticultural Building, Jackson Park, Java Village, Lapland Village, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Midway Plaisance, Sitting Bull's Cabin, Wooded Island|0 Comments

93. Picturesque World’s Fair – Southwest from the Government Building
Gallery
93. Picturesque World’s Fair – Southwest from the Government Building

REPRINTS

93. Picturesque World’s Fair – Southwest from the Government Building

SOUTHWEST, FROM THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING—The view southwest from the roof of the United States Government Building embraced a great number of attractive objects. The east lagoon and more than half the Wooded Island appeared conspicuously in the foreground, and there was no elevated place in the grounds from which the island and lagoon could be seen together that did not command a sight worth seeing, for any lover of the beautiful. To the left, immediately m front, is the [...]

By Randy|2020-01-26T06:35:44-06:00January 26th, 2020|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: Electricity Building, Festival Hall, Golden Door, lagoon, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR, Transportation Building, U.S. Government Building|0 Comments

THE CITY OF WONDERS: A Souvenir of the World’s Fair (Chapter 5)
Gallery
THE CITY OF WONDERS: A Souvenir of the World’s Fair (Chapter 5)

REPRINTS

THE CITY OF WONDERS: A Souvenir of the World’s Fair (Chapter 5)

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

By Scott|2019-12-26T11:04:45-06:00December 26th, 2019|Categories: REPRINTS|Tags: clock tower, Columbia Avenue, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building, Porcelain Porch, Tiffany|0 Comments