The 1904 World's Fair Society

April Meeting - Annual Opening Day Event

Help Us Celebrate the Birthdays !

The Fair is 106 Years Old Today

The Society is 24 Years Old Today

 Sue Oertli will take us on a very personal visit to the 1904 World's Fair.  You won't want to miss this unique, must-see look at the Fair.  Many antique glass (magic lantern) slides have been in Sue's family for generations.  Her mother, Dorothy Daniels Birk, researched the slides and began giving local lectures on the Fair, enhanced by the glass slides, which had to be fed individually by a projectionist.  In 1979, Dorothy wrote a book, The World Came to St. Louis: A Visit to the 1904 World's Fair, based on her slide program to commemorate the Fair's 75th anniversary.  It has been reprinted many times over the last thirty years and is a wonderful introduction to the Fair.  Dorothy's program turned out to be very popular and was presented hundreds of times.  Sue's husband had two sets of 35mm slides made from the original glass slides - one for the Oertli's and one for the US Patent Office.  Dorothy always insisted on using the originals.  On April 30th, Sue will continue the family tradition by presenting to us her version of her mother's lecture, along with the 35mm slides.  In addition, the book will be available for purchase.  Sue will be happy to sign a copy for you.