Library Presents 1933 World's Fair Exhibit

Memorabilia, brochures and posters from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair are on exhibit until March 30, on the second floor of the Schaumburg Township District Library (STDL), 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg.

Items in the exhibit came from the collections of local residents Susan Gibberman and LaVonne (Thies) Presley. Gibberman is STDL's Head of Reader Services, and Presley is the daughter of Clara (Becker) Thies, who attended the World's Fair several times while living in Roselle. Presley collected and saved the brochures, pamphlets and souvenirs currently on display, and is donating them to the library's Illinois Collection at the conclusion of the exhibit. Gibberman has collected memorabilia from the fair since 1980 and combined her pieces with Presley's to create the exhibit.

"As a collector, I am particularly drawn to items that connect me to the people who attended the fair," Gibberman said. Through photographs, written postcards, notes, etc., you see their perspectives on the fair and even Chicago, for those who came here to visit. Not only are you touching a piece of Chicago history, you're touching those lives as well."

Officially titled "A Century of Progress," the fair opened on May 27, 1933 and was built as homage to the 100-year anniversary of the founding of Chicago. Due to its great success, the fair was held over another year and was visited by approximately 48 million people.

There is no charge for viewing the exhibit, which is open during regular library hours.