During a recent trip to Chicago, I stopped by The Field Museum to check out their newest exhibit, Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair. The exhibit is designed to take visitors back in time 120 years, to the World’s Columbian Exposition—one of the greatest events in the history of the city and the United States.

 

Japanese tea vase

 

There are some very beautiful and interesting articles from the Fair are on display. The “hidden collection” of more than 200 artifacts and specimens from every corner of the Fair’s grounds are ones that have rarely—or never—been on display since they amazed fairgoers over a hundred years ago. The museum is opening the vaults of these objects exclusively for this exhibit.

 

Various historic articles

 

As I strolled through the halls of the tour, I soon realized that the significance of the World’s Fair extends far beyond the well-known Ferris wheel. With each display, I saw that the Fair was a showcase of architecture, culture, and technology originating from all over the world. There are displays of exotic animals, fossil plants, international cultures, and introductory products from that era. I also got a glimpse of the history of the Fair with the original admission tickets, official catalog of exhibits, and even some of the instruments played at the Javanese village on the Fair’s Midway. I actually felt like I was at the Fair itself.

Fossil plants

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One of my favorites!

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Masks from around the world

 

It was great to see what were considered the marvels of the world in 1893, and how scientists and explorers are making new discoveries about the articles in the exhibit to this day. To gain more knowledge about some of the objects and the exhibit itself, I used the free Field Museum Tours mobile app, which gave me access to additional information using the QR codes along the route of the tour.

 

Using the app along the tour of the World’s Fair Exhibit

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Hundreds of objects from the World’s Fair are on display throughout the Museum’s permanent collections as well. They can be discovered in other galleries through the Field Museum Tours mobile app

 

I learned so much by touring the Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair exhibit! I never knew how huge of a role the collections from the Fair are playing in scientists’ discoveries about ecology, biology, climatology, and even animal and human evolution. I was also unaware that the objects of the Fair are ones that began one of the most extensive natural history collections in the world. I definitely plan to visit the exhibit again before it ends.

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The #ChicagoWorldsFair exhibit will be open through September 7, 2014 and is suitable for all ages. To learn more about the exhibit or plan your visit The Field Museum’s website Here. You can stay up-to-date with the latest information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can also get a sneak peek by downloading the free Field Museum Tours mobile app Here.

The Field Museum

I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, however all content and opinions expressed here are my own.