Brief History of The World's Fair Society
In April 1986, a handful of people got together, under the leadership of founder Max Storm, to discuss the formation of a society with a mission dedicated to “preserving the memory and memorabilia of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition”. On April 30, the 82nd anniversary of the opening day of the Fair, we held our first official membership meeting. We started small, but we were a determined bunch … now our membership has grown to over 300. We are a diverse group of people that meet every month in St. Louis, Missouri. Some of us collect memorabilia … some of us are interested in digging up the facts and setting the record straight … some of us are interested in finding the bits and pieces of the fair that still exist … some of us have family connections to the fair … and some of us just find it interesting. The Society has published a video documentary of Fair attendees, printed a book, discovered and purchased the masterworks to the 1904 Fair’s Floral Clock (which is currently on display at the Missouri History Museum), produced several post cards, minted a commemorative silver medal for the Fair’s centennial, and made a large donation to the renovation of the St. Louis Zoo’s Bird Cage, originally built for the 1904 World’s Fair. Members receive the monthly mailing of the newsletter, “The World’s Fair Bulletin”. A sample of several pages of the The World’s Fair Bulletin” bulletin can be seen by clicking on the link “The Worlds Fair Bulletin” . Each issue contains articles of World’s Fair interest and information on upcoming meetings and events. Members are encouraged to send letters, questions, and articles related to the Fair. Please consider joining the Society. Our monthly meetings feature programs covering a wide range of Fair-related topics, such as music, food, fashions, exhibits, memorabilia displays, and even 3-D slide shows. Visitors are always welcome at our monthly meetings. Every December 1st, we have a formal Closing Day Observance Banquet to commemorate the closing day of the Fair. In 1904, St. Louis recognized the importance of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty to the history of the United States by inviting the country and the world to participate in the “greatest of expositions”. The 1904 World’s Fair Society wants to keep the memories alive. We hope you explore the various links provided herein and explore the wonders of the 1904 World’s Fair.
Calendar
- June 19, 2023
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One Day at the 1904 World's Fair
June 19, 2023 @ 6:15 pm - 7:45 pm
St. Louis Public Library - Buder Library, 4401 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109, USACarole Shelton will give a presentation about "One Day at the World's Fair", examining the truths and myths of the day African Americans were to be allowed into the1904 World’s Fair. We’ll learn what really happened in St. Louis on Thursday, July 13, 1904.
Carole is a Missouri Storyteller and works with the Humanities Council; she is a retired educator from the St. Louis City Schools. As a professional storyteller for more than twenty-five years and author, she shares the real-life experiences, myths, legends, and folk tales of historical women of St. Louis such as Annie Malone.
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- July 18, 2023
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Constructing the 1904 World's Fair; and Park Restoration
July 18, 2023 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112, USAMany St. Louisans don’t know why and how the 1904 World’s Fair was held. Who paid for it, and how was it was constructed? How long did it take to build? Why weren’t more buildings built to last? Exactly where were the Fair’s buildings located? How were the buildings constructed? And after the Fair closed, what happened to the Fair buildings?
These answers and many other interesting and amazing facts and images about the Fair’s construction and demolition will be presented by Mike Truax. Attendees will see the “story behind the Fair”, and they will even learn what happened to the Ferris Wheel and the 70-ton axle.
Mike Truax is the current President of the 1904 World’s Fair Society, whose mission is to preserve the memory and memorabilia of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
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