World's Fairs

Introduction

World’s fairs started as a way for countries to present their nations’ cultures. Held around the world since the 1850s, most of the twentieth century fairs took place in the United States. These celebrations strove to highlight America’s dominance in its advancements in science and technology. Examples of the influence of the fairs on the host cities’ urban planning and architecture include Seattle’s Space Needle, New York’s Flushing Meadows park, and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.

Scope and Content

Most of the material in this collection came from the Browne Popular Culture Library’s vertical file and realia collection and have been combined to make one special collection. Many of the items from the 1939 New York World’s Fair belonged to Dade East. East was one of several winners of the Goodrich World’s Fair Derby, a contest among tire dealers throughout the country.

Box 1 and 2 are arranged chronologically. Researchers interested in popular entertainment, marketing, and the history of fairs and exhibitions will find this collection helpful. This finding aid was prepared by Sarah Kuniakis, Student Assistant, and Dana Nemeth, Reference Archivist, in October 2019.

Inventory

Box 1
Item	Description	Date
1	Miscellaneous World’s Fair items	1892, n.d.
2	World’s Columbian Exposition Chicago, Ohio Day Ribbon	September 14, 1893
3	Chicago World’s Fair material	1933-1934
4	Golden Gate International Exposition materials	1939
5	Correspondence to Dade East, New York World’s Fair	1939
6	New York World’s Fair admission tickets	1939
7	New York World’s Fair baseball scorecards	1939
8	New York World’s Fair brochures	1939
9	New York World’s Fair derby	1939
10	New York World’s Fair: Jack Dempsey	1939
11	New York World’s Fair television tour book	1939
12	New York World’s Fair postcards	1939
13	New York World’s Fair restaurant menus	1939
14	New York World’s Fair show programs	1939
15	New York World’s Fair materials	1939
16	New York World’s Fair materials	1939
17	New York World’s Fair materials	1940
18	Seattle World’s Fair materials	1962
19	New York World’s Fair materials	1964-1965
20	ACD Museum World’s Fair Souvenir Folder	1979
21	World’s Fair information guides	1985, 1986, n.d.
22	Book order form for Glass from World’s Fairs	1986
23	Louisiana World Exposition material	1986
24	Vancouver World Exposition materials	1986

Box 2
Item	Description	Date
1	St. Louis World’s Fair picture frame	1904
2	Map of New York World’s Fair from The New York Times	March 5, 1939
3	New York World’s Fair bookmark	1939
4	New York World’s Fair hand fan	1964-1965
5	New York World’s Fair bolo tie	1964–1965
6	New York World’s Fair desk flag with stand	1964-1965
7	Knoxville World’s Fair Beer empty can (blue and white)	1982
8	Knoxville World’s Fair Beer empty can (green and white)	1982

World's Fair LibGuide

For more information on World’s Fairs and how to find sources in the Library about specific fairs and exhibitions.
World's Fair LibGuide

Updated: 06/05/2023 09:24AM