The 1893 Columbian Exposition

World’s Fairs were held as a way to showcase culture, history and new technology. The 1893 World’s Fair was to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus sailing to America.

Brief History

The fair, held in Chicago Illinois, was 6 months long, opening May 1, 1893. In that time, over 27 million people visited the fair. The fairgrounds covered 690 acres of land, and over 200 temporary buildings. The buildings were very ornate, made of plaster, cement and jute fiber that was painted white, called “staff”. This gave the buildings their gleam, and many referred to it as “The White City”.

Highlights & New Technology

Cracker Jacks, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix, The Zipper, Wrigley’s Chewing Gum, and the Ferris Wheel were among many other new products first shown at the Fair. Incandescent lighting also debuted during the grand opening of the fair, when President Grover Cleveland pushed a button and a hundred incandescent lamps illuminated the fairgrounds neoclassical buildings.

Maine & The 1893 World’s Fair

• Agricultural Exhibit – grain & corn, and potatoes. Burnham & Morrill had a display of their baked beans, canned lobster, mackerel, clam extract and chowder, and of course Poland Mineral Water was noticeably exhibited. Hiram Ricker & Sons added to the decorative appearance of the agricultural exhibit by placing fine paintings and scenic views of their famous spring and grounds.
• Mining Exhibit – Maine granite
• Transportation Exhibit – Bath Iron Works
• Educational Exhibit – all elementary and secondary instruction in public schools in Maine, also the Maine State College contributed to the exhibit

Maine received 67 awards for their exhibits at the World’s Fair, most notably the award for the purest water of Poland Mineral Water.

The Maine State Building

36 states sponsored a building at the World’s Fair in 1893. They were built of materials from that state, and served as headquarters for state officials, and reception halls for visitors from that state. Of the 36 state buildings, we are proud that the Maine State Building is the only one that remains over 125 years later!

Please read more about the Maine State Building

What’s Left?

• The Van Houten & Zoon Cocoa Company Building – relocated to Brookline Massachusetts
• The Norway Building – recently relocated from Wisconsin to Norway
• The World’s Congress Auxiliary- now The Art Institute of Chicago
• The Palace of Fine Arts (Now the Museum of Science of Industry)

There are just 5 buildings left from the World’s Fair, 4 left in the United States, (3 that you can visit), 2 on the East Coast, and just 1 state building left, and we are so proud to have the Maine State Building as the feature building at Poland Spring!

For More Information on the 1893 Columbian Exposition , click here