Over many years of studying the history of world fairs we have been able on many occasions to examine items from various fairs. We have also been able to acquire a number of pieces of our own. It is always fascinating to hold and look at something from an exposition of many decades or even a century past.
Years ago we came across a book related to the Chicago World Fair of 1893. But rather than a book with images and outlines of what the fair had been, this was published before the fair and explored what it might be. It is very interesting to follow the ideas and plans for the major 1893 event.
We were also given a number of pamphlets from companies involved with the fair, all promoting Chicago. One of the pieces that stands out is a train schedule for the relatively new Canadian Pacific Railroad, encouraging people to take the train to Chicago and its exposition.
We were also able to access another striking set of images from the fair in San Francisco in 1915. The images were related to the Canadian exhibit and showed great photographic detail – lots of moose, caribou, beaver and outdoor themes.
Once, with a couple of days to spend in Paris on the way home from a project in Normandy, France, Archie was able to get a wonderful advertising poster for the Paris World Fair of 1889 which features as its primary image, the Eiffel Tower, a major “exhibit” at that fair.
For people living in our area of Southern B.C. there have been a few world fairs or expositions relatively close to us over the years.
Not counting those in California, there was one in Portland, Oregon in 1905, two in Seattle in 1909 and 1962, and another in 1974 in Spokane. Of course in Canada, Expo ’67, the “Universal and International Exhibition” world fair in Montreal was a major focus of Canada’s celebration of its 100th birthday.
No matter where the world fair was, the New Westminster newspaper of the day would publish articles promoting the event to encourage locals to travel and attend. Sometimes an article by someone who had attended would appear, extolling the features and excitement of the occasion.
Of course in 1986, right here in the Lower Mainland in Vancouver, there was the 1986 World Exposition, World in Motion: World in Touch, or simply, Expo’86. In the history of world fairs this was a pretty impressive event and is prominent in the memories of many of this region.
The New Westminster Historical Society will present a brief look at the history of world fairs and a glimpse back to Expo’86 in this, its 30th anniversary.
Come out on Wednesday, July 20, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the public library auditorium at 716 Sixth Ave.
