The legacy of the 1893 World's Fair lives on in Chicago's The Field Musuem


 As part of a paid campaign, I toured the 1893 World's Fair exhibit at The Field Museum. In our daily lives, commonplace items are taken for granted. From the piece of chewing gum to your morning cereal, normal, everyday items started somewhere. I don't contemplate how or why they were created, but I'm grateful for their existence. While touring The Field Museum's World's Fair exhibit, I saw many items that I take for granted were important discoveries to the past.

The World Fair exhibit discusses the fair in Chicago and the beginnings of the museum. Many of the items from the Worlds Fair became the foundation of today's The Field Museum. The museum, itself, was founded to commemorate the fair. Today, the Museum’s original collections are formed by objects that were all displayed at the Fair.

This special exhibit gives visitors a glimpse into items that were displayed at the Fair. From the ledgers and tickets to exotic culture pieces, the artifacts and specimens were numerous. Personally, I enjoyed reading about items that were introduced at the fair. For example, Juicy Fruit gum was introduced by the Wrigley Company. Other items, like Cracker Jack and Shredded Wheat were debuted too. Today, these items are easily found on our store shelves, but to Fair goers, there items were unknown treats.

This special event has a wide reach. Items on display include Peruvian mummies (with an interactive display), Native America textiles and animal specimens just to name a few. Many of these original items laid the foundation for current exhibits. From understanding taxidermy to exploring other cultures, The Field Museum examines the world around us. 


 Since the museum collection is so vast, any visitor could use assistance to see the exhibits. The Field Museum Guided Tour app, available for iPhone and android, helps visitors navigate the museum. The app can be used on a guided tour or it can be used to customize a tour to a visitor's needs.

I used the app to start my tour of the Worlds Fair exhibit. Starting at the atrium's totem poles, I was able to gain more insight to why and how these artifacts came to the museum. While scanning a QR code, I was able to unlock a special video. I could use my phone to scan the room and my room was transformed to the 1900s. Instead of the room around me, my phone showed people and aspects of the past. This panoramic view took the experience out of your minds eye and into reality.

The Worlds Fair exhibit is one of several special events currently on display. The Field Museum is located in Chicago's museum campus on the lakeshore. Admission varies depending on packages. Special events are an additional fee to general admission. Membership packages are available.

Don't miss the opportunity to gain insight on out history and culture at one of the nation's leading museums, The Field Museum.




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

13 comments:

  1. Looks like a great place to visit. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in Chi-Town!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That sounds like it was an amazing trip! Love all the pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That would be an interesting exhibit. I think it's cool that they have an app so you can do a self-guided tour. I'd love something like that!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been to Chicago a bunch of time, but never made it to the Field Museum. It is a must-stop for our next trip!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This would be so interesting! I have read about the World's Fair in Chicago and it was amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the expo and I really have to go back with an app

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds fun!! We don't live near many museums and such, so it is always fun to go and visit them to learn about places!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the filed museum - must take my son there next time we go! Thanks for the reminder :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. This looks like so much fun! We are huge museum buffs and truly enjoy history and culture! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like fun! I love visiting museums!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so jealous! I haven't been to The Field Museum since I was a kid. The World's Fair exhibit sounds like so much fun and such a great glimpse into history. I'm hoping I can work in enough time to take my kids to see it while we're back in Chicago for the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love museums and anything to do with history. That is such a great idea for them to offer an app to help your visit go smoother.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I went to Chicago last summer. I wish I had taken advantage of all the museums. I will next time I go thanks to your post!!

    ReplyDelete