History Center to visit Field Museum’s World’s Fair exhibit

Most people have heard about the shimmering White City that was Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, and now they have a chance to see what it was like for themselves. Local residents are invited to join the Des Plaines History Center’s Historic Adventures trip to view the World’s Fair exhibit currently at the Field Museum Saturday, Feb. 8.

Participants will depart from the History Center, 781 Pearson Street, Des Plaines, at 9 a.m. and carpool to and from the Field Museum. The anticipated return time is 4:30 p.m. Please call (847) 391-5399 or visit www.desplaineshistory.org to register.

The museum’s exhibit “Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair” will provide an opportunity for individuals and families to see objects that have rarely — or never — been on display since they amazed fair goers over a 100 years ago. One such item is a meteorite so feared it was kept chained in a dungeon.

Visitors will learn that the World’s Columbian Exposition was not only the birthplace of Juicy Fruit chewing gum and the Ferris wheel, but that the World’s Fair also marked the triumphant debut of the Field Museum itself.

Historic Adventures volunteer coordinators Janet Thompson and William Grice, III, look forward to leading this excursion into the Columbian Exposition, which was a glittering showcase of architecture, culture, technology and peoples from around the world.

Thompson and Grice say that the purpose of the History Center’s outings is to share an interesting historic experience and to visit places people might not otherwise go if they were alone.

“At first people may not know one another very well, but by the end of the day many have become friends,” said Grice. “Our Historic Adventures trips offer opportunities for people to share conversations, friendly fellowship, and occasionally, dining opportunities for added sociability. Adults and children are welcome to attend, and many of the Historic Adventures are especially suitable for families.”

Fees for this Historic Adventure are $30 for Des Plaines History Center members, $33 for nonmembers and $17 for children, ages 3-11. Participants will have lunch on their own at the museum. Please join the History Center to view some incredible artifacts and specimens that will bring to life one of the most spectacular events in the Windy City’s history.

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