The 1904 World’s Fair Society has monthly membership meetings with programs on various topics relating to the Fair.
It has always been a tradition of the organization to have a meeting near the end of April to celebrate “opening day”, (the day the fair opened, April 30th,1904), and to have a “closing day” banquet in December (the day the fair closed, December 1st, 1904) .
Most meetings have a drawing for an attendance prize for members attending the meeting. You may register every time you attend a meeting at the reception table near the door. Attending more meetings will give you more opportunities to win. Attendance prizes will vary. Often they will match the subject of the meeting. You must be present to win.
The meetings are always well attended with people very knowledgeable about the fair. Please feel free to attend and ask questions. Visitors are always welcome.
Annual Picnic May 16, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm Ferris’ Great Wheel: The Full Story June 2, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm - You’ve probably seen or perhaps even taken a ride on the Ferris Wheel at Union Station. And perhaps you’ve seen the new “back room” exhibit at the History Museum. Now, come and learn the complete story about The Greatest Ferris Wheel. Encore Presentation - Ferris’ Great Wheel: The Full Story June 15, 2026 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - You’ve probably seen or perhaps even taken a ride on the Ferris Wheel at Union Station. And perhaps you’ve seen the new “back room” exhibit at the History Museum. Now, come and learn the complete story about The Greatest Ferris Wheel. World of Sewing at the Worlds Fair July 13, 2026 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Susan Dempster has been an active collector of Victorian sewing items for many years. As a St. Louisan, she became interested in such items that were made for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and has amassed quite a collection of World's Fair memorabilia.
Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63112, USA
Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112, USA
- George Washington Gale Ferris designed and built this massive wheel for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. In 1894 it was moved to north suburban Chicago to a small amusement park. In 1903 it was sold to the Chicago House Wrecking Company (CHWC) for salvage.
However ….
- The CHWC owners soon struck a deal with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to relocate and operate the Wheel at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. So, they dismantled the wheel, moved it to St Louis, where it was reassembled and once again highly successful.
- You’ll also learn about the unfortunate end of the wheel, and the urban legends surrounding its demise. And you’ll hear the most recent factual information concerning “The Fate of the Axle”.
University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO 63130
- George Washington Gale Ferris designed and built this massive wheel for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. In 1894 it was moved to north suburban Chicago to a small amusement park. In 1903 it was sold to the Chicago House Wrecking Company (CHWC) for salvage. However ….
- The CHWC owners soon struck a deal with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company to relocate and operate the Wheel at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. So, they dismantled the wheel, moved it to St Louis, where it was reassembled and once again highly successful.
- You’ll also learn about the unfortunate end of the wheel, and the urban legends surrounding its demise. And you’ll hear the most recent factual information concerning “The Fate of the Axle”.
University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO 63130
- In 2017, she wrote a 3-part article for the magazine of the Thimble Collectors International (TCI), highlighting her collection and other sewing items from the Fair, and gave us a short presentation about these items. This will be a more complete look at her collection.