GETTING READY FOR THE FAIR
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Before the fair
The origin, planning, and inspiration for the fair culminated from various sources. With the civil war only ending 28 years prior, the shambled remains of reconstruction still present, and the sudden increase of industrialization, all of these aspects were the fuel in America's social, economic, and political unrest. Along with racial tension, mass immigration, and intense class warfare, leaders of The United States, economic and political, looked for a way to reshape the American perspective and implement a permanent sense of unity throughout the United States. Leader's sought this new american vision within Europe's reliance on world's fairs to secure economic relief and cultural preservation. London's Crystal Palace Exposition in 1851 persuaded other countries, including the United States, to dabble in the affairs of fairs.
Before the World's Fair in 1893, The United States held a world's fair in Philadelphia, but it ultimately failed due to insufficient profits. With the 400th anniversary of Columbus' landing in America coming up, many civic leaders pushed U.S. congress to dub a city as a fair holder to celebrate this occasion. Among these contenders were New York, St. Louis, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Eventually, in 1891, Chicago's lobbyist won the ballet and President Harrison signed for the Fair to be located in Chicago.
The origin, planning, and inspiration for the fair culminated from various sources. With the civil war only ending 28 years prior, the shambled remains of reconstruction still present, and the sudden increase of industrialization, all of these aspects were the fuel in America's social, economic, and political unrest. Along with racial tension, mass immigration, and intense class warfare, leaders of The United States, economic and political, looked for a way to reshape the American perspective and implement a permanent sense of unity throughout the United States. Leader's sought this new american vision within Europe's reliance on world's fairs to secure economic relief and cultural preservation. London's Crystal Palace Exposition in 1851 persuaded other countries, including the United States, to dabble in the affairs of fairs.
Before the World's Fair in 1893, The United States held a world's fair in Philadelphia, but it ultimately failed due to insufficient profits. With the 400th anniversary of Columbus' landing in America coming up, many civic leaders pushed U.S. congress to dub a city as a fair holder to celebrate this occasion. Among these contenders were New York, St. Louis, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Eventually, in 1891, Chicago's lobbyist won the ballet and President Harrison signed for the Fair to be located in Chicago.
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Planning the Fair
The Directory (the assembly of civic leaders that planned the fair) that dictated the fair and it's planning had no time to waste. The fair itself took roughly three years to complete, but before any of the production could begin, The Directory had to figure out where the fair would be held within the city. It was difficult for them to find a place for the fair without it causing any traffic congestion or private property right. Eventually, the leader of the exposition corporation, Harlow N. Higinbotham had to settle on Jackson Park to be the fair's location. The plain park became
The two main people who essentially designed the fair was Daniel H. Burnham and George R. Davis. Burnham was in charge of designing the buildings and sectioning of the fair while Davis Dealt with making the selections of what expositions will be presented at the fair. Both tasks were intense to overcome. With over 200 buildings to construct, and twice as many exhibits to choose to host at the fair, the planning and execution of the fair was not an easy one.
The team leading the construction of the fair eventually decided on a classical, more traditional, style of building theme. Many architects drew inspiration from French engineering and the previous fair hosted there. This "neoclassical" feel was only given to the major exhibits that was cited on the large part of the fair, which gave it its nickname, "The White City". The idea of this classical imagery was to give america a more sophisticated look, and ultimately give the majority of the fair a "park" feel with large white buildings and grassy noels. Even though this was the ultimate fate of the fair, not all designers agreed with it. Many believe that if this throw back statement became the theme of the fair, the progression of american design would be set back far behind all other nations. On the other hand, many saw it as a heavy influence on the city beautification movement that was to come.
To directory leaders, "The White City" was not a proper setting or atmosphere for amusements or any form of non educational culture. This gave birth to the Midway, a section of the fair immensely separated to hold amusements, performers, cultural and world exhibits, as well as the majority of the "spirit" of the fair.
After an expense of $28 million dollars, 3 years of construction and planning, the fair had it's opening ceremony on October 21st, 1892. Although the fair was no open to the public untill May 1st, 1893, the immense reputation and eventual legacy of the fair was well worth the wait.
The Directory (the assembly of civic leaders that planned the fair) that dictated the fair and it's planning had no time to waste. The fair itself took roughly three years to complete, but before any of the production could begin, The Directory had to figure out where the fair would be held within the city. It was difficult for them to find a place for the fair without it causing any traffic congestion or private property right. Eventually, the leader of the exposition corporation, Harlow N. Higinbotham had to settle on Jackson Park to be the fair's location. The plain park became
The two main people who essentially designed the fair was Daniel H. Burnham and George R. Davis. Burnham was in charge of designing the buildings and sectioning of the fair while Davis Dealt with making the selections of what expositions will be presented at the fair. Both tasks were intense to overcome. With over 200 buildings to construct, and twice as many exhibits to choose to host at the fair, the planning and execution of the fair was not an easy one.
The team leading the construction of the fair eventually decided on a classical, more traditional, style of building theme. Many architects drew inspiration from French engineering and the previous fair hosted there. This "neoclassical" feel was only given to the major exhibits that was cited on the large part of the fair, which gave it its nickname, "The White City". The idea of this classical imagery was to give america a more sophisticated look, and ultimately give the majority of the fair a "park" feel with large white buildings and grassy noels. Even though this was the ultimate fate of the fair, not all designers agreed with it. Many believe that if this throw back statement became the theme of the fair, the progression of american design would be set back far behind all other nations. On the other hand, many saw it as a heavy influence on the city beautification movement that was to come.
To directory leaders, "The White City" was not a proper setting or atmosphere for amusements or any form of non educational culture. This gave birth to the Midway, a section of the fair immensely separated to hold amusements, performers, cultural and world exhibits, as well as the majority of the "spirit" of the fair.
After an expense of $28 million dollars, 3 years of construction and planning, the fair had it's opening ceremony on October 21st, 1892. Although the fair was no open to the public untill May 1st, 1893, the immense reputation and eventual legacy of the fair was well worth the wait.
"It is the intention of the management to make the World's Fair site and the buildings one grand exemplification of the progress that has been made in electricity." (Artistic Guide, 313)
Bibliography
Rose, Julie K. "The World's Columbian Exposition: Idea, Experience, Aftermath." http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma96/wce/title.html (accessed March 17th, 2014).
Rydell, Robert W. "World's Columbian Exposition." Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1386.html (accessed March 17th, 2014).
Chicago Historical Society. "The World's Columbian Exposition." http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo.html (accessed March 17th, 2014).
Rydell, Robert W. "World's Columbian Exposition." Encyclopedia of Chicago. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1386.html (accessed March 17th, 2014).
Chicago Historical Society. "The World's Columbian Exposition." http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo.html (accessed March 17th, 2014).