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Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)

Buildings, Periodical illustrations, Illustrations

Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)

Buildings, Photomechanical prints, Prints

Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)

Buildings, Photomechanical prints, Prints

Franco-British Exhibition (1908 : London, England)

Buildings, Postcards, Ephemera

Franco-British Exhibition (1908 : London, England)

Buildings, Postcards, Ephemera

Exposition universelle et internationale (1910 : Brussels, Belgium)

Buildings, Postcards, Ephemera

Exposition universelle internationale de 1900 (Paris, France)

Albumen Prints, Photographs

Exposition universelle internationale de 1900 (Paris, France)

Albumen Prints, Photographs

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Advertising cards, Buildings, Ephemera

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Buildings, Advertisements, Envelopes, Ephemera

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Art, Trade cards, Ephemera

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Buildings, Trade cards, Ephemera

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Buildings, Reproductions, Cards, Ephemera

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Buildings, Reproductions, Cards, Ephemera

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Buildings, Reproductions, Cards, Ephemera

Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)

Holly Griffin

This bird's-eye view provides a basic layout of the Louisiana Purchase International Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904. This periodical illustration was printed on pages 678 and 679 of Harper's Weekly magazine, and was an extracted centerfold, as is evident by staple holes in the center crease. The surrounding pages of the magazine included information on the Palaces of Electricity, Machinery, Transportation and Horticulture. The entire image is approximately 13 5/8" wide and 19 inches long, and includes Festival Hall in the center with its two hemispherical lagoons, and other fair buildings radiating out from it. The illustration gradually fades on the edges, eliminating scenery that would distract the viewer from the fair. It is from a relatively distant vantage point, and thus the architectural details are difficult to discern.

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Katie Chiles

Opening day of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia was a spectacular festival of flags, music, and a one-hundred gun salute. After President Grant gave his opening address, the signal was given to unfurl and raise every flag and insignia simultaneously on the entire fairground. A chorus of one thousand began to sing, accompanied by an orchestra and chimes, and the barrage of one hundred rifles symbolized a century of independence for the United States of America (McCabe). This was the first major international world's fair in North America, and while many foreigners argued the United States did not have anything to show, the country shone through displaying its growth into a major industrial power.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)

Buildings, Periodical illustrations, Illustrations

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Buildings, Circulars, Ephemera

Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)

Buildings, Periodical illustrations, Illustrations

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Art, Advertisements, Ephemera

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

David Coleman

This picture of Memorial Hall is printed on a scarf. Scarves and ribbons were common souvenirs at the early world's fairs. Many visitors, especially those from a different region or country would purchase and wear them to show that they had traveled to the exposition, much like the T-shirt industry today.

Centennial Exhibition (1876 : Philadelphia, Pa.)

Manpreet Singh

As had been the case at the Crystal Palace Exhibition twenty five years before, America's industrial and agricultural prowess impressed most foreign visitors, thus giving a boost to American Foreign trade.

Panama-California Exposition (1915 : San Diego, Calif.)

Christopher Jinks

Prior to 1915, world's fairs and exhibitions were held in well-established and large cities. Existing resources and transportation were ample or could be easily improved upon. The Panama-California Exposition of 1915 was different as it changed the small port town of San Diego into a sprawling and successful metropolitan area.

Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.)

David Coleman

In 1901 Cass Gilbert (1859-1934) designed the elaborate hall pictured above for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, held in Saint Louis in 1904. This short-lived structure deserves attention, as it was a main focus of the fair and an important benchmark in its designer's career.