Christina Olson Papers, 1891-1918

Gift of Grace Alice Bishop, daughter, 1994.

The Christina Olson Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The Christina Olson Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Christina Olson Papers, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Virginia Hay Smith.

Chicago dancer.

In 1891, Christina Olson received a diploma from the National Conservatory of Music in Chicago for completing a course of studies in pantomime. At the age of twelve she was engaged to perform as a Turkish dancer in the Turkish Theater on the Midway at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Olson married Charles Edward Snyder in 1895 in Clinton, Iowa.

Small collection of items relating to Olson’s performance as a Turkish dancer at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.

Includes documents of employment and assessment of her dancing skill. Also, three Exposition items: a ticket of admission, a program for the Turkish exhibition and Olson’s personal passbook with her photograph attached. Added are Olson’s diploma from Chicago’s National Conservatory of Music and her marriage certificate. Also, two photographs of Olson as a child and as an adult.

Arranged alphabetically by type of material, with oversize diploma at the end.

• Names
  • Olson, Christina, b. 1881
  • World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.).
• Subject
  • Chicago
  • Dance
  • Folk dancing, Turkish
  • Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
  • Women