The Wonder and Complexity of the 1904 World's Fair

St. Louis scholars contribute essays on the untold stories of the 1904 World’s Fair.

The 1904 World’s Fair was a complex, fascinating event that continues to evoke a range of emotions. It was grand. It was shameful. It was full of fun and full of indignity. Now, 120 years after the Fair opened in St. Louis, a new exhibit at the Missouri History Museum is reintroducing the Fair and re-examining its legacy. It will re-examine the complexity of the Fair in ways that will make this story feel new again.

A companion book to the exhibit, The Wonder and Complexity of the 1904 World’s Fair will go much deeper than the well-worn stories about the Ferris wheel and ice cream cones to explore topics including the Fair’s visual culture, technology, and international reach. It will also cover more challenging aspects, such as the Filipino people who were brought to St. Louis to be placed on display, the African Americans who were refused service, and the Chinese people who faced prejudice and arrest. Compelling images and artifacts from the Missouri Historical Society’s rich collections will further enhance these stories throughout the book, and additional images will comprise a small catalog at the end of the book.