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1893 Columbian Expo records -- SUMMARY



Thanks to the many folks that responded to my query on the 1893 World's
Columbian Exposition in Chicago.  I had researchers and archivists alike
respond.

Sounds as if the Chicago Historical Society is the official repository for
the 1893
World's Columbian Exposition. I've been told that the WCE collection is
wonderful, but can be a challenge for researchers who have limited time to
spend in Chicago.  The collection includes thousands of photographs, an
whole card catalog drawer of entries for primary and secondary sources, the
complete archive of the Board of Lady Managers, and other misc. items such
as scrapbooks, maps, broadsides, and artifacts.  Although none of this
information is automated and most serious WCE researchers spend at least
one whole day just getting a survey of their extensive holdings.

There are also collections at the Art Institute of Chicago, the archives at
the Museum of Science & Industry (which inhabits the site of the 1893 Expo)
and the Chicago Public Library.

Other tidbits on research into the 1893 Expo:

The official photographer of the Columbian Exposition was C.D. Arnold.
He and Harlow Davidson Higinbotham produced the OFFICIAL VIEWS OF THE
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.  One contact thought most of the photos went
to the Chicago Art Institute, but researchers should also check with the
Library of Congress.

The official guidebook, OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF THE WORLD COLUMBIAN
EXPOSITION was by Moses P. Handy and published by W.B. Conkey and the
Columbian Guide Co.

Researchers might try contacting Richard Murray, a curator at the
Smithsonian's American Art Museum (formerly Museum of American Art).
Richard is the authority on the art of that expo and would know where to
find its documentation.

The Special Collections Dept. at California State University, Fresno has a
significant collection on International  Expositions and Fairs, 1851-1940.
Their URL
is:http://duchess.lib.csufresno.edu/SubjectResources/SpecialCollections

There are a couple of good web sites on the 1893 World's Columbian Expo:
 http://fly.hiwaay.net/~shancock/fair/1893.html
 http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA96/WCE/title.html

Thanks again to everyone who responded.  Another example of how this list
can really work.  With any luck, this summary message may prove useful to
someone down the road via the list archives.

Erik Nordberg
Michigan Tech

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