World's Columbian Exposition records

  • Creator Names World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.)
  • Title World's Columbian Exposition records [manuscript], 1890-1904, bulk 1890-1894.
  • Physical description
    • 55 volumes and 8 boxes.
    • 1 oversize folder.
    • 1 microfilm reel. (Camera negative copy of v. 14).
  • Access and usage restrictions Some volumes are currently in the conservation lab and are temporarily unavailable for public use. Please contact the Research Center (research@chicagohistory.org) to check availability.
  • Collection summary
    • Archival records of the administration of the World's Columbian Exposition (WCE) and of its Board of Lady Managers, which operated the Woman's Building, its programs, and exhibitions at the fair. Collection includes WCE general administration records, including meeting minutes of the WCE's board of directors, executive committee, buildings and grounds committee, and other records. In addition, there are a few miscellaneous stock certificates, invitations, letters, and planning documents, most originally issued by the WCE. The Board of Lady Managers (BLM) records include meeting minutes of its board of directors, reports, lists, etc., and extensive correspondence.
    • The BLM's letterpress copy books of outgoing letters are 9 volumes, 1890-1895, with alphabetical indexes to addressees in each volume. Most outgoing letters are by Bertha H. Palmer, president of the BLM. Incoming letters to the BLM fill 6 boxes, 1890-1904, plus a few original outgoing letters. Topics of the BLM records include the design of the Woman's Building and arrangements for exhibitions within the building, committees and individual women representing states of the United States and foreign countries; and women receiving awards for creative work, such as needlework, crafts, inventions, and works of art. Most items are arranged chronologically within volumes.
  • Finding Aids Note Descriptive inventory available that includes a list of related collections.
  • Acquisition information Includes gifts of Mr. Potter Palmer (39646), Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr., (M1944.0007) and Kenneth O. Johnson (1991.0485).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note
    • Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include publications by representatives of the World's Columbian Exposition and others about the fair; original photographs; manuscript items written by various fair visitors; and publications relating to the congresses held in conjunction with the fair, such as the World's Parliament of Religions, all cataloged separately.
    • In addition to the WCE-Board of Lady Managers records, there are three other collections at the Research Center containing Bertha H. Palmer manuscript items; they are 1. the Bertha H. Palmer papers, 2. the Potter Palmer and Palmer estate papers, and 3. the Bertha Palmer and Palmer family research collection.
    • Sound recordings made by Benjamin Ives Gilman of the Javanese, Samoan, Turkish, and Vancouver Island Indian exhibits at the World's Columbian Exposition are described in v. 8 of The Federal cylinder project: A guide to field cylinder recordings in federal agencies, by the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. These recordings are not available at Chicago History Museum.
  • Names
    • World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.) Archives.
    • World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.). Board of Lady Managers Archives.
    • Palmer, Bertha Honoré, 1849-1918.
    • Woman's Building (World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Chicago, Ill.)
    • Palmer, Bertha Honoré, 1849-1918
    • Burnham, Daniel Hudson, 1846-1912.
    • Logan, John A., Mrs., 1838-1923.
    • Meredith, Virginia C.
    • Monroe, Harriet, 1860-1936.
    • Scott, James W. (James Wilmot), 1849-1895.
    • Starkweather, Amey.
    • Woodside, John W.
    • Ziegfeld, Florenz, 1841-1923.
    • Woman's Building (World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Chicago, Ill.)
  • Subjects
    • Amusements Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Exhibitions Illinois Chicago 19th century
    • Fairs Illinois Chicago 19th century
    • Artisans United States.
    • Artists United States.
    • Designers United States.
    • Inventions.
    • Needlework.
    • Suffragists Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Women Illinois Chicago 19th century.
    • Women United States 19th century.
    • Women artists Exhibitions.
    • Visitors Illinois Chicago 19th century.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Commerce 19th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 19th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social life and customs 19th century.
    • United States Civilization 19th century.
  • Genre
    • Certificates. aat
    • Correspondence. aat
    • Letterpress copybooks. aat
    • Lists. aat
    • Minutes. aat
    • Poetry. aat
    • Reports. aat
    • Stock certificates. aat
  • Geographic name
    • United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
    • United States.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/M-W/WCEBLM.htm