Naper Settlement offers Columbian Exposition program series and bus tour
The World's Fair of 1893 in Chicago was an exotic exposition that fascinated over 20 million visitors, including Hannah Ditzler Alspaugh, a schoolteacher/librarian from Naperville, who visited the fair more than 36 times. Her diaries chronicled each visit and were the inspiration for Barbara Rimmer, a retired Naper Settlement museum educator, to develop a series of programs focused on the Columbian Exposition.
“For every single trip, Hannah would write the date and with whom she went to the fair, and where she had lunch. She kept maps of the fair and she used a red pencil showing her route on that particular trip one for each visit to the fair,” Barbara said.
Because the fair was so large, Barbara developed three presentations titled, "The Columbian Exposition – Through the Eyes of a Visitor," about various aspects of the fair using original fair documents, photographs, books and Hannah's diaries. Part I on Tuesday, Jan. 21 will focus on the buildings around the Grand Basin. Part II on Tuesday, Feb. 4 will feature the buildings on the lagoon. Part III on Tuesday, Feb. 18 highlights the Midway Plaisance with its carnival, oddities and famous Ferris Wheel. Each program will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Naper Settlement's Meeting House.
“Those who have read ‘Devil in the White City' and wondered what it would have been like to attend the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago will be able to take an imaginary stroll through the biggest world's fair of its time without ever leaving their chairs,” Barbara said.
A special bus tour that ties in with the series will leave Naper Settlement at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 1 with Barbara accompanying the group to see The Field Museum's exhibit, “Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World's Fair.”
Reservations are recommended for the three presentations, which are $10 per person. Register for all three presentations for the discounted fee of $25 (bus tour not included). Reservations are required for the bus tour, which is $65 per person and includes transportation from Naper Settlement by luxury coach bus, admission to the museum plus entry to the special exhibit. Lunch is on your own, select from several options within the museum. There will be time to visit other permanent exhibits. Call (630) 420-6010 for reservations or visit www.napersettlement.com for more information.