Columbian Exposition (1893) (Chicago World's Fair) Photos

The Columbian Exposition (1893) aka the Chicago World's Fair celebrated the 400th anniversary of the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World. The Fair lasted 183 days, covered 716 acres, & drew 27,529,400 visitors. The Palace of Fine Arts, now the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry is the only remaining building. The Fair introduced the Ferris Wheel, the Midway for fairs & circuses, tipped the balance to AC electricity from Edison's DC, and made Beaux Arts architecture a dominant trend up till World War I. There Buffalo Bill Cody became a household name & millionaire even though he was forced to perform outside the grounds.

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Chicago Museum of Science & Industry over adjacent lake. Chicago, IL.Chicago Museum of Science & Industry built as Fine Arts Building for & is only remaining structure from World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Chicago, IL.Pediment detail of Museum of Science & Industry, for which original plaster exterior was replicated in stone. Chicago, IL.Caryatids on south side of Museum of Science & Industry. Chicago, IL.
Chicago Museum of Science & Industry (former Fine Arts Building for World's Columbian Exposition of 1893) over adjacent lake. Chicago, IL.Chicago Museum of Science & Industry (1893) (5700 South Lake Shore Drive) built as Fine Arts Building for & is only remaining structure from World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Chicago, IL. Style: Beaux-Arts. Architect: Charles B. Atwood + Graham, Anderson Probst & White + Shaw, Naess & Murphy.Pediment detail of Museum of Science & Industry, for which original plaster exterior was replicated in stone (1929-33). Chicago, IL.Caryatids on south side of Museum of Science & Industry. Chicago, IL.
President Grover Cleveland & wife Frances F. Cleveland souvenir ribbons for opening day of Chicago Columbian Exposition at Buffalo History Museum. Buffalo, NY.Print of Art Palace at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Art Palace entrance at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Art Palace at night at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
President Grover Cleveland & wife Frances F. Cleveland souvenir ribbons for opening day of Chicago Columbian Exposition (1893) at Buffalo History Museum (BECHS). Buffalo, NY.Print (1894) of Art Palace at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Art Palace entrance at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Art Palace at night at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Post Card of Chicago World's Fair Manufacturers & Liberal Arts Building at Missouri History Museum. St Louis, MO.Paperweight with bird's eye view of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Paperweight with Administration Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Plate with Administration Building of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Post Card of Chicago World's Fair (1893) Manufacturers & Liberal Arts Building at Missouri History Museum. St Louis, MO.Paperweight (1893) with bird's eye view of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Paperweight (1893) with Administration Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Plate (1893) with Administration Building of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Plate with Administration Building of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Paperweight with Woman's Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print with Woman's Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Silver tray with Woman's Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Plate (1893) with Administration Building of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Paperweight (1893) with Woman's Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1893) with Woman's Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Silver tray (1893) with Woman's Building of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Commemorative hammer used to drive the last nail of the women's building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Museum of Nebraska History. Lincoln, NE.Statue commemorating women , first displayed at World's Columbian Exposition, at Illinois State Capitol. Springfield, IL.Forward statue by Jean Miner is Wisconsin Women's Memorial display at Columbian Exposition now on State Capitol grounds. Madison, WI.Stained glass window of Massachusetts Mothering the Coming Women of Liberty, Progress & Light from Women's Building of World's Columbian Exhibition at Stained Glass Museum. Chicago, IL.
Commemorative hammer used to drive the last nail of the women's building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Museum of Nebraska History. Lincoln, NE.Statue commemorating women (1893), first displayed at World's Columbian Exposition, at Illinois State Capitol. Springfield, IL.Forward statue by Jean Miner is Wisconsin Women's Memorial (1893) display at Columbian Exposition now on State Capitol grounds. Madison, WI.Stained glass window (1893) of Massachusetts Mothering the Coming Women of Liberty, Progress & Light from Women's Building of World's Columbian Exhibition at Stained Glass Museum. Chicago, IL.
Stained glass window detail of Massachusetts Mothering the Coming Women of Liberty, Progress & Light from Women's Building of World's Columbian Exhibition at Stained Glass Museum. Chicago, IL.Centennial plate with Ferris Wheel of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Ferris Wheel puzzle from Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Ferris Wheel medal from Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Stained glass window (1893) detail of Massachusetts Mothering the Coming Women of Liberty, Progress & Light from Women's Building of World's Columbian Exhibition at Stained Glass Museum. Chicago, IL.Centennial plate (1993) with Ferris Wheel of Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Ferris Wheel puzzle (1893) from Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Ferris Wheel medal (1893) from Chicago World's Fair at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print of Louis Sullivan's Transportation Building at World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Louis Sullivan's Transportation Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Colonnade at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Peristyle & Court of Honor at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print (1893) of Louis Sullivan's Transportation Building at World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Louis Sullivan's Transportation Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Colonnade at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Peristyle & Court of Honor at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print of Peristyle at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Manufacturer's Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Government Building from Wooded Island at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Fisheries Building from Wooded Island at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print (1894) of Peristyle at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Manufacturer's Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Government Building from Wooded Island at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Fisheries Building from Wooded Island at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print of Mechanic Arts Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Administration Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of Peristyle & Triumphal Arch at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print looking east from Transportation Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print (1894) of Mechanic Arts Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Administration Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of Peristyle & Triumphal Arch at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) looking east from Transportation Building at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print of Manufacturer's Building & Wooded Island at night at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print of various national pavilions of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Collection of several photo guides to World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Cover of booklet Authentic World's Columbian Exposition Album by Woolson Spice Co. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Print (1894) of Manufacturer's Building & Wooded Island at night at World's Columbian Exposition by Poole Bros. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Print (1894) of various national pavilions of World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Collection of several photo guides to World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Cover of booklet Authentic World's Columbian Exposition Album (1892) by Woolson Spice Co. at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Stained glass window from German Section of Fine Arts Building of World's Columbian Exhibition at Stained Glass Museum. Chicago, IL.Metal-framed folding chair by Cevedra B. Sheldon made by Marks Adjustable Folding Chair Co. of New York City exhibited at Chicago World's Fair at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Desk & bookcase by Ladislaus Zdzieblowski of Chicago, IL made for 1893 World's Columbian Exposition at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Carved chair which was displayed at Columbia Exposition in Chicago now at Virginia City Museum. Virginia City, MT.
Stained glass window (1893) from German Section of Fine Arts Building of World's Columbian Exhibition at Stained Glass Museum. Chicago, IL.Metal-framed folding chair (1876) by Cevedra B. Sheldon made by Marks Adjustable Folding Chair Co. of New York City exhibited at Chicago World's Fair at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Desk & bookcase (1893) by Ladislaus Zdzieblowski of Chicago, IL made for 1893 World's Columbian Exposition at Art Institute of Chicago. Chicago, IL.Carved chair (c1893) which was displayed at Columbia Exposition in Chicago now at Virginia City Museum. Virginia City, MT.
Madison Co., Montana scroll on carved chair at Virginia City Museum. Virginia City, MT.Wood carving by Mrs. A.F. Cameron displayed in the women's building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Museum of Nebraska History. Lincoln, NE.Sicilian cart or carretta exhibited at 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition now at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.Stage robber Black Bart's shotgun exhibited by Wells Fargo at Chicago World's Fair at Autry National Center. Los Angeles, CA.
Madison Co., Montana scroll on carved chair at Virginia City Museum. Virginia City, MT.Wood carving by Mrs. A.F. Cameron displayed in the women's building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Museum of Nebraska History. Lincoln, NE.Sicilian cart or carretta (1893) exhibited at 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition now at Warp Pioneer Village. Minden, NE.Stage robber Black Bart's shotgun (c1875) exhibited by Wells Fargo at Chicago World's Fair (1893) at Autry National Center. Los Angeles, CA.
Wood inlay barber pole made for Chicago World's Fair at Boott Cotton Mills Boarding House immigrant gallery. Lowell, MA.Detail of barber pole made for Chicago World's Fair at Boott Cotton Mills Boarding House immigrant gallery. Lowell, MA.Chinese lacquer screen from Columbian Exposition in dining room at Hayes Presidential Home. Fremont, OH.These Are My Jewels statue by Levi Tucker Schofield created for Columbian Exposition showing seven Civil War notables from Ohio on grounds of Ohio State Capitol. Columbus, OH.
Wood inlay barber pole made for Chicago World's Fair at Boott Cotton Mills Boarding House immigrant gallery. Lowell, MA.Detail of barber pole made for Chicago World's Fair at Boott Cotton Mills Boarding House immigrant gallery. Lowell, MA.Chinese lacquer screen from Columbian Exposition in dining room at Hayes Presidential Home. Fremont, OH.These Are My Jewels statue (1893) by Levi Tucker Schofield created for Columbian Exposition showing seven Civil War notables from Ohio on grounds of Ohio State Capitol. Columbus, OH.
Porcelain tea set 1892 by Homer Laughlin which won award at World's Columbian Exposition at Museum of Ceramics. East Liverpool, OH.California pin from Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.New York ribbon & medal from Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.World's Columbian Exposition award certificate at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Porcelain tea set 1892 by Homer Laughlin which won award at World's Columbian Exposition at Museum of Ceramics. East Liverpool, OH.California pin from Columbian Exposition (c1893) at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.New York ribbon & medal from Columbian Exposition (c1893) at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.World's Columbian Exposition award certificate (1893) at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
World's Columbian Exposition medal & silver medal awarded East Liverpool pottery companies at Museum of Ceramics. East Liverpool, OH.Souvenir pillow from World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Souvenir tapestry from World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Worlds Columbian Exposition Fan at Sherwood-Davidson House. Newark, OH.
World's Columbian Exposition medal (1893) & silver medal awarded East Liverpool pottery companies at Museum of Ceramics. East Liverpool, OH.Souvenir pillow from World's Columbian Exposition (1893) at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Souvenir tapestry from World's Columbian Exposition (1892) at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Worlds Columbian Exposition Fan (1893) at Sherwood-Davidson House. Newark, OH.
Souvenir mug with face of Columbus from World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Pitcher made for World's Columbian Exposition by Doulton Pottery of England at Museum of Ceramics. East Liverpool, OH.Souvenir pitcher with scenes of American exploration from World's Columbian Exposition at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.German two handled salt-glazed ewer with face of Columbus at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Souvenir mug with face of Columbus from World's Columbian Exposition (1893) at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Pitcher made for World's Columbian Exposition (1893) by Doulton Pottery of England at Museum of Ceramics. East Liverpool, OH.Souvenir pitcher with scenes of American exploration from World's Columbian Exposition (1892) at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.German two handled salt-glazed ewer with face of Columbus at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Story of Columbus ceramic shield from England at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Plate with Field Columbian Museum design at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Pressed coin glass compote from 1892 Columbia Exposition at Stuhr Museum. Grand Island, NE.Toothpick holder for 1892 Chicago Columbian Exhibition at McKinley Presidential Library & Museum. Canton, OH.
Story of Columbus ceramic shield from England at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Plate with Field Columbian Museum design at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Pressed coin glass compote from 1892 Columbia Exposition at Stuhr Museum. Grand Island, NE.Toothpick holder for 1892 Chicago Columbian Exhibition at McKinley Presidential Library & Museum. Canton, OH.
Columbian Exposition tumbler at Degenhart Paperweight & Glass Museum. Cambridge, OH.Glass bowl souvenir from Columbian World's Fair, Chicago 1893 at Buffalo Bill Museum. Lookout Mountain, CO.Columbian Exposition Ruby-stained souvenir glass in scalloped swirl pattern at Degenhart Paperweight & Glass Museum. Cambridge, OH.Flower globe made for World's Columbian Exposition by Mount Washington Glass Company of New Bedford, MA, at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.
Columbian Exposition tumbler (1893) at Degenhart Paperweight & Glass Museum. Cambridge, OH.Glass bowl souvenir from Columbian World's Fair, Chicago 1893 at Buffalo Bill Museum. Lookout Mountain, CO.Columbian Exposition Ruby-stained souvenir glass in scalloped swirl pattern (1893) at Degenhart Paperweight & Glass Museum. Cambridge, OH.Flower globe (c1893) made for World's Columbian Exposition by Mount Washington Glass Company of New Bedford, MA, at New Orleans Museum of Art. New Orleans, LA.
Glass cream & sugar souvenirs from Chicago World's Fair by New England Glass Co. at Corning Museum of Glass. Corning, NY.Glass hatchet with relief of George Washington by Libbey Glass Co. of Toledo, OH at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, IL, Fisheries Building glass paperweight at Museum of American Glass. Milville, NJ.World's Columbian Fair glass paperweight at Museum of American Glass. Milville, NJ.
Glass cream & sugar souvenirs from Chicago World's Fair (1893) by New England Glass Co. at Corning Museum of Glass. Corning, NY.Glass hatchet with relief of George Washington (c1893) by Libbey Glass Co. of Toledo, OH at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, IL, Fisheries Building glass paperweight (1893) at Museum of American Glass. Milville, NJ.World's Columbian Fair glass paperweight (1893) at Museum of American Glass. Milville, NJ.
World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, IL glass paperweight at Museum of American Glass. Milville, NJ.World Columbian Exposition, Christopher Columbus copper medal with Columbus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens & reverse by Charles E Barber because Saint-Gaudens design was controversial at Museum of Nebraska History. Lincoln, NE.Columbus 50 cent USA coins for World's Columbian Exposition Chicago. Fort Myers, FL.World's Fair mechanical bank with Columbus meeting Indian at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, IL glass paperweight (1893) at Museum of American Glass. Milville, NJ.World Columbian Exposition, Christopher Columbus copper medal (1893) with Columbus by Augustus Saint-Gaudens & reverse by Charles E Barber because Saint-Gaudens design was controversial at Museum of Nebraska History. Lincoln, NE.Columbus 50 cent USA coins for World's Columbian Exposition Chicago (1892). Fort Myers, FL.World's Fair mechanical bank (c1893) with Columbus meeting Indian at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.
Landing of Columbus pull toy at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Silver tray with Aztec Calendar Stone exhibited at Chicago World's Columbian Exposition by Tiffany & Co. of New York, NY at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Souvenir ruby glassware from Buffalo Bill's Wild West show during 1893 Chicago World's Fair at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.Scene of Cody appearing at Columbian World's Fair, Chicago 1893 at Buffalo Bill Museum. Lookout Mountain, CO.
Landing of Columbus pull toy at Columbus Museum. Columbus, WI.Silver tray with Aztec Calendar Stone (1893) exhibited at Chicago World's Columbian Exposition by Tiffany & Co. of New York, NY at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.Souvenir ruby glassware from Buffalo Bill's Wild West show during 1893 Chicago World's Fair at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Cody, WY.Scene of Cody appearing at Columbian World's Fair, Chicago 1893 at Buffalo Bill Museum. Lookout Mountain, CO.
Glass tumbler with fused red stain made for Chicago World's Fair in York Herringbone Pattern from Pittsburgh, PA at Bennington Museum. Bennington, VT.


Glass tumbler with fused red stain made for Chicago World's Fair (1893) in York Herringbone Pattern from Pittsburgh, PA at Bennington Museum. Bennington, VT.


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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
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