Skip to main content

The Worlds Fair Collection

Step back in time to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, where innovation and culture converged

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Japanese Exhibit in Art Hall (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Japanese Exhibit in Art Hall (b / w photo)
6012894 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Japanese Exhibit in Art Hall (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Japanese Exhibit in Art Hall)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Buffalo Bills Wild West Show (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Buffalo Bills Wild West Show (b / w photo)
6012901 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Buffalo Bills Wild West Show (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Buffalo Bills Wild West Show)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Joseph and his Boom-de-ay Donkey (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Joseph and his Boom-de-ay Donkey (b / w photo)
6012783 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Joseph and his Boom-de-ay Donkey (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Joseph and his Boom-de-ay Donkey)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Their Honeymoon (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Their Honeymoon (b / w photo)
6012775 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Their Honeymoon (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Their Honeymoon)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Hindostanee Delegates to the Congress of Religions (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Hindostanee Delegates to the Congress of Religions (b / w photo)
6012772 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Hindostanee Delegates to the Congress of Religions (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Canadian Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Canadian Building (b / w photo)
6012766 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Canadian Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Canadian Building)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Persian taking his Comforter (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Persian taking his Comforter (b / w photo)
6012763 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Persian taking his Comforter (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Persian taking his Comforter)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Hans Christian Andersens Memorial Section (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Hans Christian Andersens Memorial Section (b / w photo)
6012755 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Hans Christian Andersens Memorial Section (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Lapland Company (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Lapland Company (b / w photo)
6012754 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Lapland Company (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Lapland Company)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Display of Sculpture in the Italian Section (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Display of Sculpture in the Italian Section (b / w photo)
6012735 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Display of Sculpture in the Italian Section (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: On the Roof of Manufactures Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: On the Roof of Manufactures Building (b / w photo)
6012721 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: On the Roof of Manufactures Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Promenade and Gas Torches on Administration Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Promenade and Gas Torches on Administration Building (b / w photo)
6012706 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Promenade and Gas Torches on Administration Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: View from South Basin, looking North (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: View from South Basin, looking North (b / w photo)
6012696 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: View from South Basin, looking North (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: View from South Basin)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Golden Portal of the Transportation Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Golden Portal of the Transportation Building (b / w photo)
6012692 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Golden Portal of the Transportation Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A View of the Cairo Street (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A View of the Cairo Street (b / w photo)
6012929 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A View of the Cairo Street (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A View of the Cairo Street)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Scenes in the Midway Plaisance (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Scenes in the Midway Plaisance (b / w photo)
6012926 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Scenes in the Midway Plaisance (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Scenes in the Midway Plaisance)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: An Odalisque from the Seraglio (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: An Odalisque from the Seraglio (b / w photo)
6012925 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: An Odalisque from the Seraglio (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Odalisque from the Seraglio)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: From the Lake Front to the Plaisance (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: From the Lake Front to the Plaisance (b / w photo)
6012923 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: From the Lake Front to the Plaisance (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Swordsmen from Damascus (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Swordsmen from Damascus (b / w photo)
6012917 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Swordsmen from Damascus (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Swordsmen from Damascus)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior of the East Side of Manufactures Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior of the East Side of Manufactures Building (b / w photo)
6012912 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior of the East Side of Manufactures Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Carnival in the Street of Cairo (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Carnival in the Street of Cairo (b / w photo)
6012906 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Carnival in the Street of Cairo (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Carnival in the Street of Cairo)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Irish Village and Blarney Castle (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Irish Village and Blarney Castle (b / w photo)
6012898 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Irish Village and Blarney Castle (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Santa Barbaras Exhibit of Olive Oil (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Santa Barbaras Exhibit of Olive Oil (b / w photo)
6012893 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Santa Barbaras Exhibit of Olive Oil (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior of the Anthropological Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior of the Anthropological Building (b / w photo)
6012890 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior of the Anthropological Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Agricultural Products of California and Oklahoma (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Agricultural Products of California and Oklahoma (b / w photo)
6012880 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Agricultural Products of California and Oklahoma (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Santa Maria, the Flagship of Columbus (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Santa Maria, the Flagship of Columbus (b / w photo)
6012876 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Santa Maria, the Flagship of Columbus (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Santa Maria)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Greatest Locomotive in England (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Greatest Locomotive in England (b / w photo)
6012875 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Greatest Locomotive in England (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Greatest Locomotive in England)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior View of Electric Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior View of Electric Building (b / w photo)
6012865 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Interior View of Electric Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Interior View of Electric Building)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Other Types of the Midway (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Other Types of the Midway (b / w photo)
6012863 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Other Types of the Midway (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Other Types of the Midway)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Types of All Nations in the Plaisance (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Types of All Nations in the Plaisance (b / w photo)
6012861 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Types of All Nations in the Plaisance (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Procession of the Nations (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Procession of the Nations (b / w photo)
6012853 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A Procession of the Nations (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Procession of the Nations)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Panorama of the Northwest Lagoon (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Panorama of the Northwest Lagoon (b / w photo)
6012849 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Panorama of the Northwest Lagoon (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Panorama of the Northwest Lagoon)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Main Entrance of the Womans Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Main Entrance of the Womans Building (b / w photo)
6012840 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Main Entrance of the Womans Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Rear View of MacMonnies Fountain (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Rear View of MacMonnies Fountain (b / w photo)
6012838 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Rear View of MacMonnies Fountain (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rear View of MacMonnies Fountain)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Gallery No 9 of the United States Section of Paintings (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Gallery No 9 of the United States Section of Paintings (b / w photo)
6012833 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Gallery No 9 of the United States Section of Paintings (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: North End of the French Statuary Exhibit (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: North End of the French Statuary Exhibit (b / w photo)
6012832 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: North End of the French Statuary Exhibit (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Proctors Statue of Labor (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Proctors Statue of Labor (b / w photo)
6012831 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Proctors Statue of Labor (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Proctors Statue of Labor)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Statue of the French Republic (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Statue of the French Republic (b / w photo)
6012830 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Statue of the French Republic (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Statue of the French Republic)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Exhibit of Windmills (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Exhibit of Windmills (b / w photo)
6012809 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Exhibit of Windmills (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Exhibit of Windmills)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Grand Loggia of Machinery Building (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Grand Loggia of Machinery Building (b / w photo)
6012804 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Grand Loggia of Machinery Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Grand Loggia of Machinery Building)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Exhibit of the Relics of the Cliff Dwellers (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Exhibit of the Relics of the Cliff Dwellers (b / w photo)
6012798 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Exhibit of the Relics of the Cliff Dwellers (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A House in the Javanese Village (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A House in the Javanese Village (b / w photo)
6012795 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: A House in the Javanese Village (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A House in the Javanese Village)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Waterfall of the Columbian Fountain (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Waterfall of the Columbian Fountain (b / w photo)
6012793 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Waterfall of the Columbian Fountain (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Victoria House (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Victoria House (b / w photo)
6012792 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: The Victoria House (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Victoria House)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Two Representatives of the Sioux Nations (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Two Representatives of the Sioux Nations (b / w photo)
6012778 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: Two Representatives of the Sioux Nations (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: United States Statuary Exhibit (b / w photo)

Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: United States Statuary Exhibit (b / w photo)
6012719 Chicago Worlds Fair, 1893: United States Statuary Exhibit (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: United States Statuary Exhibit)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: Nebraskas Building (b / w photo)

Nebraskas Building (b / w photo)
958703 Nebraskas Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Nebraskas Building)

Background imageThe Worlds Fair Collection: West Virginias Building (b / w photo)

West Virginias Building (b / w photo)
958698 West Virginias Building (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: West Virginias Building)




For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Step back in time to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, where innovation and culture converged. From Joseph and his Boom-de-ay Donkey to the Hindostanee Delegates at the Congress of Religions, this fair was a melting pot of diverse experiences. Take a glimpse into history with black and white photos capturing moments like Their Honeymoon or A Persian taking his Comforter. Marvel at architectural wonders such as The Canadian Building or Hans Christian Andersen's Memorial Section. Immerse yourself in different cultures by exploring The Lapland Company or admiring sculptures in the Italian Section. Ascend to new heights on the Roof of Manufactures Building or be enchanted by the Promenade and Gas Torches on Administration Building. Witness breathtaking views from South Basin, looking North, as you soak in all that this grand event had to offer. And don't miss out on experiencing the Golden Portal of Transportation Building - an entrance that exuded elegance and sophistication. The Chicago World's Fair transported visitors to a world filled with wonder, showcasing human achievements across nations. It was a celebration of progress, artistry, and cultural exchange that left an indelible mark on history.