[ Home ] [ News ] [ Meetings ] [ Meeting Photos ] [ Activities ] [ Leadership ]

The 1904 World's Fair Society

Registered users

» Forgot password
» Registration

Random image

0037

costerberg

www.1904worldsfairsociety.org

Categories

The Forgotten Champions (32)

A PBS television documentary, playing for the World, about ten remarkable American Indian girls living in an Indian boarding school who would go on to win the 1904 women's basketball World Championship playing at the 1904 World’s Fair was shown.. It’s based on the book Full-Court Quest authored by 1904 World’s Fair Society members Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith.

2011 Closing Day Celebration (56)

The grand finale of our 25th Anniversary year will be our year-end Closing Day Observation. Since 1986 we have observed the Fair’s closing on the very date the Fair closed in 1904. This year the event was held in Holmes Lounge on the Campus of Washington University. The room was the actual location of several "Congress" during the Fair. Members and guests kept the tradition alive and enjoyed a delicious dinner and entertainment included our popular ‘Year in Review’ followed by entertainment from Rev Devin Jones and Linda Gurney. Attendees contributed to the fun and competed for prizes by dressing in costumes from around the World. Everyone received a keepsake of the event.

History Making History (42)

Our society sponsored the restoration of the oldest film of moving images of the collection of the Missouri History Museum, the Delodge 1904 World's Fair. It was created 20 years after the Fair ended and features several orginal World's Fair officials, including David R. Francis. Join us for the world Premier of this historic film for a rare look at a collection of lost footage about the 1904 World's Fair.

Trip to Jefferson City, Missouri (22)

we traveled by bus to Jefferson City to meet hosts Bob and Bobbie Herman. The tour of Jefferson City included the State Capitol and Governor's Mansion where we had lunch and signed the original guest register books saved from the burning Missouri Building. Transportation and dinner are included along with an ice cream treat at Central Dairy. A group was taken in front of the ‘Signing Statue.

Happy Birthday Dave (33)

We celebrated the birthday of World’s Fair President, David Roland Francis, on Saturday October 1st . The location was on the World’s Fair grounds at the south end of the Brookings quadrangle on the campus of Washington University.

Sharon Smith, Curator at the Missouri History Museum, presented a program about the historic connection between Washington University and our Fair. The presentation took place in a building leased to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company for use during the Fair. It housed the Department of Works serving as the headquarters for architects and engineers employed for the Fair.

Ken Streett, Great Grandson of Rolla Wells, Mayor of the city of St. Louis in 1904 will share memories of his Grandfather.

International Day - Japan (11)

Charter member Max Storm hosted our inaugural international meeting where each year we will feature a single foreign nation that participated in our Fair. We chose a country that made notable contributions to our Fair, Japan. Their broad participation at the Fair was highlighted by showcasing their culture and beauty.

Photography at the Fair (27)

A video of some of Yvonne Suess's favorite images from her extensive stereo view cardand photography collection were presented.

Scott Joplin House (23)

Music played a large role in the success of the World's Fair. It could be heard somewhere around the Fairgrounds during most hours the Exposition was open. Ragtime was very popular, and Scott Joplin was by far the most famous ragtime composer of the era. We met at the Scott Joplin House at 2658A Delmar Blvd , where Joplin composed many of his ragtime classics when he lived in St. Louis . It is now a Missouri State Historic Site. We'll listen to the Friends of Scott Joplin perform famous rags at the Rosebud Cafe, including Joplin's famous Cascade Rag.

Anniversary Picnic on the World's Fair Grounds (36)

Our annual Picnic was held in Forest Park begins at Picnic Area #11.which was inside the Fair grounds. Hot dogs, ice cream and iced tea were provided and members brought a dish or some snacks.to share. There was something for everybody to enjoy including a balloon release.

Special Visit to Grant's Cabin (26)

An exclusive tour of the original ‘Hardscrabble’ cabin built by General Grant in 1854. His cabin was used during the Fair by the Blanke Coffee Company to serve and sell its products. We met at Grants Farm and had a guided tour of the venue on a Tram.The tram then took us to the cabin where we had the unique opportunity to go inside.

U. S. Presidents connected to the Fair (19)

We visited the Ulysses. S. Grant National Historic Site Park and tour White Haven where the 18th President of the United States lived. Following a short tour of the home we gathered in the theater of the visitors Center were welcomed with a short explanation of the mission of the National Park Service and a bit about the Hardscrabble cabin which was on display during the 1904 World’s Fair. Jan Green then presented a lecture describing the connections of at least six U. S. Presidents to the 1904 World’s Fair.

Thanks for the Memories – 25 Years in Review (32)

The very first meeting of the 1904 World’s Fair Society took place on April 30, 1986. Two weeks before the first official meeting we gathered at Machacek library to discuss plans to create the 1904 World’s Fair Society. Our founder, Max Storm, presented a look back at our first 25 years. Refreshments were served and Charter members were honored and unique 2011 membership cards were distributed.

Palace of Fine Arts - Then and Now - April Bonus Meeting (45)

On April9th, Julie Dunn-Morton, Ph. D., Curator of Fine Arts Collection at the Mercantile Library told us about the history of the St. Louis Art Museum, dating back to when it was the Palace of Fine Arts at the 1904 World’s Fair. She discussed the construction, its importance to St. Louis, the museums role at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and much, much more. After a wonder presentation we enjoyed a tour of the beautiful Mercantile Library.

Visitors to the 1904 World’s Fair - City Hall in University City (49)

We know that millions of people came to the 1904 World’s Fair from near and far, and some of them were famous and celebrities of the day. Society President Mike Truax presented a program about Fair visitors and their accomplishments. We met at the historic city hall of University City.

Eaten' at the Expo - Beyond the Ice Cream Cone: (33)

Charter Member Pam Vaccaro, author of the scholarly book, Beyond the Ice Cream Cone: presented a program filled with facts and myths about the cuisine available on the Fairgrounds. Samples of dishes prepared from Mrs. Rorer's World's Fair Cookbook were served.

Palace of Fine Arts (0)

Palace of Arts–Then and Now - Mercantile Library on UMSL Campus.

Julie Dunn-Morton, Ph. D., Curator of Fine Arts Collection at the Mercantile Library will told us about the history of the St. Louis Art Museum, dating back to when it was the Palace of Fine Arts at the 1904 World’s Fair. We also heard about the construction, its importance to St. Louis, the museums role at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and much, much more. The evening also included a Tour of the beautiful Mercantile Library.

Charles Koehler Jr. Presentation (10)

The World’s Fair in 3D – University City Library

Charter member Charles H. Koehler, Jr. presented a program at the location of our first ever meeting in 1986. Charles played a major role in establishing the 1904 World’s Fair Society and served as our first Vice President. He assembled this exceptional 3D program at about the same time. His images of the Exposition are projected onto the silver screen in 3D along with music from the era, and made you feel like you were there. It was a perfect combination to begin our Anniversary celebration year. A short yearly budget presentation was also be given.

2010 closing Celebration (89)

The Closing Banquet was held on December 1st at Concordia Seminary.

Jan Green Presentation (38)

The University of Iowa celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2009. Part of the celebration included an exhibit of 1904 LPE artifacts which were in the archives of the Departments of History and Natural History. Jan Green traveled to Iowa City to present a program on the Fair as part of this celebration. Jan's program included photos of the archival items which are from the Philippine exhibits in 1904."

Bob Corbett Presentation (37)

Bob Corbett, instructor and noted historian, spoke about the real reason that Napoleon decided to sell this valued territory to Thomas Jefferson.

The Human Zoo (26)

In July 2009 a London Production Team came to St. Louis to make a documentary about the young science of anthropology and World’s Fairs. They met with the 1904 WF Society and filmed various locations around St. Louis. This documentary focuses on the life of Ota Benga, an African pygmy who was at the Fair, and how 1904 “civilized” society affected his life. It also describes prevailing cultural attitudes and poses some interesting and unusual theories about racism in the early 20th century.

Show and Tell Meeting (39)

The annual show and Tell meeting.

Karl and Margie Kindt presentation (24)

Karl and Margie Kindt showed the scrapbook they made from their multitude of 1904 World’s Fair digital images.

June Picnic (28)

The annual picnic returned to Forest Park this year.

Carol Ann Miller Presentation (29)

The Society’s own Carol Ann Miller, The 1904 World’s Fair Lady™, assisted by Bob Krone, The 1904World’s Fair Man ™, shared her collection of Fair clothing, accessories and gadgets from her live television remote from New York City filmed at the St. Louis Art Museum in May of 1994. Ninety years earlier Carol Ann’s grandmother visited the Fair.

Opening Day/ Sue Oertli presentation (35)

Sue Oertli will took us on a very personal visit to the 1904 World's Fair. She showed many antique glass (magic lantern) slides have been in her 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 continued the family tradition by presenting to us her version of her mother's lecture, along with the 35mm slides.

Joe Sonderman Presentation (29)

Joe Sonderman, local traffic reporter, author, and Route 66 expert, told us about his book, “ St. Louis World’s Fair 365. It is an Intriguing Day-by-Day Look at the 1904 World’s Fair.” The book uses period sources and vintage images to look at interesting events from each day of theFair.

Washington University and the Fair (27)

Candace O’Connor, an award-winning writer, editor and documentary producer, discussed Washington University's first downtown campus and the move to its current location on Skinker and Forsyth. Several of these buildings were used by the Fair. Shel also enlightened us about the relationship between Washington University and the Fair.

Landscaping at the Fair (23)

Dr. Mary Dasovich, a Professor at St. Louis University, spoke to us about the gorgeous landscaping at the Fair, including the great variety of plants, shrubs and trees that embellished the whole of the fairgrounds.

2009 Closing Day Observance (75)

The annual closing day observance was held on December 1st at Concordia Seminary.

Carol Diaz-Granados Program (21)

Carol Diaz-Granados, a research associate and lecturer at Washington University, gave a program on anthropology at the Fair. This slide-illustrated presentation looked at the fascinating cultures brought from distant lands for the enlightenment of fair- goers.

David Winfield & Match Safes (41)

David Winfield, a long-time antique match safe collector and expert, spoke about his outstanding collection, history and safes from the World’s Fair.

Forest Park Tour (37)

On Saturday October 10th Marv and Sandy Sher expanded their Forest Park Forever Walking Tour to to include many of the areas of the park used by the Fair. Attendees also visited the 1904 World's Fair exhibit in the History Museum.

Esley Hamilton & Old St. Louis (0)

Esley Hamilton, preservation historian for St. Louis County Parks & Recreation, spoke about the vanished world of St. Louis in 1904. He showed how different the city was at the time of the Fair through images of buildings that have since disappeared. We no longer see the densely populated city neighborhoods of old, obliterated by both urban renewal and decay.

Show and tell (27)

This is our annual Show & Tell meeting - the perfect opportunity to show-off up to three pieces from your World’s Fair memorabilia collection. This is always a favorite meeting with members showing
fascinating items pertaining to our beloved Fair.

"Meet Me at the Fair" Muny Night Out (15)

We watched our all-time favorite “Meet Me in St. Louis" at the outdoor Muny Opera in Forest Park. Sixty eight (68) members and their guests attended. We took a backstage tour followed by a delicious buffet dinner, before heading to our seats to watch this wonderful performance.

Picnic in Kirkwood Park (11)

Our annual picnic is a fun event, with games, prizes, and food. The society supplies the hot dogs, iced tea, and ice cream, and attendees bring a dish to share. This event is for the entire family - bring friends and neighbors. Also, feel free to bring WF items to sell, as collectors are always ‘on the hunt.’ Finally, merchandise will be for sale, so buy some summertime t-shirts and help out the Society at the same time!

"A World on Display" Video (27)

We viewed Eric Breitbart's wonderful 1994 video, A World on Display," which, uses interviews with historians and Fair attendees, archival motion pictures and photographs to "situate the St. Louis Fair in the social, political and cultural context of American Society at the turn-of-the-century. Eric Breitbart is a filmmaker and freelance writer, currently living in New York.

Society and Fair's Birthday Party (39)

In addition, to the Birthday Party, Carol Ferring Shepley, writer, art critic and professor of art history, spook about her fantastic new book about Bellefontaine Cemetery, "Movers and Shakers, Scalawags & Suffragettes; Tales from Bellefontaine Cemetery". Books were available for purchase and were signed by the author. Birthday refreshments were served

Jan Green Education Presentation (21)

For many years, the WFS has hoped to prepare a program which can be used in school classrooms to promote one of the objectives of the Society, to preserve the memories of the Fair. It is imperative to reach young people and ensure that the wonders and knowledge of the marvelous summer in 1904 live on in future generations.

The first step in this direction is the construction of a DVD which can be used in individual classrooms when WFS speakers are not available or in conjunction with a speaker. Jan Green presented the "draft" of a DVD program she has developed at the meeting. This first program will be targeted for Grades 4-8.

Truax/Sonderman Book (25)

February, 11th 2009 Meeting
Our Society President, Mike Truax, along with Joe Sonderman, talked about their new Arcadia book on the Fair. The meeting was held at the The Kirkwood Community Center.

Reber's Personal Fair Photos (33)

January 5th 2009 Meeting.
St. Louisians Shelley & Barry Burnette have a collection of wonderful Fair photographs taken by Shelley's grandfather, Robert Reber, an amateur photographer. We were treated to a show of these one-of-a-kind, fascinating images, with time for audience participation. The meeting was held at the County Library.

2008 Closing Day Observance (68)

2008 November Meeting (33)

Meeting on November 6th at St. Louis County library

2008 October Meeting (28)

October 2008 Meeting

2008 Setember Meeting (6)

2008 Bellefontain Cemetery (31)

2008 August Meeting (40)

2008 July Meeting (45)

June 2008 Picnic (46)

Picnic was held on Saturday June 21st at Kirkwood Park

May 2008 Meeting (31)

FPF Walking Tour May 1st, 2008 (17)

Photos of the Public Forest Park Forever Walking tour that was led by WFS members Marv and Sandy Sher that walked some of the 1904 Fair Grounds and pointing out the facilities and history of Forest Park

April 2008 Meeting (32)

Annual Opening Day meeting held April 30th at the Heights

March 2008 Meeting (50)

March 2008 Meeting at County Library

February 2008 Meeting (47)

January 2008 Meeting (14)

Closing Day December 2007 (106)

2007.11 Meeting (6)

November Meeting

2007.10Meeting (32)

October Meeting

1924 images in 59 categories.