Teaching with Primary Sources Home Page

The Devil in the White City Book and LOC Resources 1893 World’s Fair

The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson. Murder, Magic and Madness in the Fair That Changed America.

Photographs and Prints
Opening of the World's Fair / The Knapp Co. lith., N.Y. (1893 color lithograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3g03270))+@field(COLLID+cph))

Grand birds-eye view of the grounds and buildings of the great Columbian exposition at Chicago, Illinois,
1892-3 In commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.
(Currier and Ives color print from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a24025))+@field(COLLID+pga))

World’s Fair 1893 (Panoramic Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/pan:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c28873))

Birdseye of World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893 panoramic photo)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/pan:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c24133))

Exposition grounds, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893 photograph by Frances Johnston from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c04795))+@field(COLLID+fbj))

Exposition grounds, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (another 1893 photograph by Frances Johnston from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c04794))+@field(COLLID+fbj))

Woman's Building, World Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Ill. View from across water (1893 photograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b21392))+@field(COLLID+cph))

Palace of Mechanic Arts and lagoon at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Illinois
(another 1893 photograph by Frances Johnston from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c16999))+@field(COLLID+fbj))

World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Administration Building, Administration building and Bridge, Chicago, IL (American Landscape)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h15370))

World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Transportation Building, interior, Chicago, IL (American Landscape)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h42990))

World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Administration Building, Administration building and Bridge, Chicago, IL (American Landscape)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h15370))

World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Transportation Building, interior, Chicago, IL (American Landscape)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h42990))

World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, Japanese Pavilion: Ho-o-den, general view, Chicago, IL
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h19220))

The Grand Basin (1893 photograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b44762))+@field(COLLID+cph))

World's Columbian Exposition 1893, general view, Chicago, IL
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h118071))

Columbus caravels in a line on Lake Michigan near Jackson Park (1909 photograph)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/cdn:@field(NUMBER+@band(ichicdn+n054846))

Opening day, 1893 (1893 photograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c25751))+@field(COLLID+cph))

World's Fair dedication / J.W. Taylor, Chicago. (1893 photograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b45702))+@field(COLLID+cph))

Columbian Exposition--the grand court at night--electrical illumination of MacMonnies's fountain and the administration building /
drawn by Charles Graham. (1893 drawing from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c00741))+@field(COLLID+cph))

Four boys posed at World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (Frances Johnston photograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c04793))+@field(COLLID+fbj))

Captive balloon and Ferris wheel, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago (1893 photograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b35866))+@field(COLLID+cph))

Crane for placing exhibits, Mines and Mining Building (1893 photograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b21122))+@field(COLLID+cph))

Interior view of exhibit hall at World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Ill. (Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b39928))+@field(COLLID+cph))

Ferris wheel at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 (Prints and Photographs – not enlarged outside of LOC)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b35771))+@field(COLLID+cph))

The great ferris wheel - first erected Chicago 1893 - now at World's Fair, St. Louis (1905 stereograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3b33135))+@field(COLLID+stereo))

Magnificent home of Mrs. Potter Palmer, on Lake Shore Drive, Chicago (1909 stereograph from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3c07952))+@field(COLLID+stereo))

Maps and Plans
Bird's eye view of the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893. (Map Collections)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/gmd:@field(NUMBER+@band(g4104c+pm001522))

Bird’s eye view of Chicago, 1893 (Maps Collections)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/gmd:@field(NUMBER+@band(g4104c+pm001511))

World's Columbian Exposition 1893, plan, Chicago, IL (American Landscape)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h1203))

World's Columbian Exposition 1893, map, Chicago, IL (American Landscape)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/alad:@field(DOCID+@lit(h15369))

World's Columbian Exposition 1893. Chicago, Ill., U.S.A (print from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a37845))+@field(COLLID+pga))

Advertisements

Take a Kodak With You to the World’s Fair (1893 advertisement from Emergence of Advertising Collection)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/eaa:@field(DOCID+@lit(K0529))

The Worlds Fair (advertisement for a book from Emergence of Advertising Collection)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/eaa:@field(DOCID+@lit(A0255))

Singer sewing machine advertisement card, distributed at World Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, showing two people from Portugal with Singer sewing machine
(Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3g02765))+@field(COLLID+cph)) and from Zululand
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a12883))+@field(COLLID+cph)) and from Ceylon
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/ils:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3g02764))+@field(COLLID+cph))

George Thatcher's Minstrels allied with Rich & Harris' Comedy Co. in Tuxedo by Ed. Marble (1893 advertisement from Prints and Photographs)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?pp/var:@field(NUMBER+@band(var+1788))

Movie Files Showing Fair Performers and Chicago

Annie Oakley / Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/papr:@field(NUMBER+@band(edmp+4030))

Arabian gun twirler / Thomas A. Edison, Inc. (Cheriff was apparently a performer on the Midway Plaisance of the 1893
World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, perhaps in the "A Street in Cairo" or Turkish village exhibits)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/varstg:@field(NUMBER+@band(varsmp+1301))

Armour's electric trolley / Thomas A. Edison, Inc. ; producer, James White.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/papr:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(edmp+1013))+@field(COLLID+mi-edison))

Buffalo Bill's wild west parade (1902 movie)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/papr:@field(NUMBER+@band(lcmp002+m2b31268))

Buffalo dance / Thomas A. Edison, Inc. ; producer, W.K.L. Dickson.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/papr:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(edmp+4025))+@field(COLLID+mi-edison))

Corbett and Courtney before the Kinetograph (1894 movie of boxing fight)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/papr:@field(NUMBER+@band(edmp+4022))

Corner Madison and State streets, Chicago / Thomas A. Edison, Inc.; producer, James White
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/papr:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(edmp+0024))+@field(COLLID+mi-edison))

Music at the Fair
After the Ball. 1892 (sung by Lillian Russell)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/dukesm:@field(DOCID+@lit(ncdhasm.n0353))

Original Rags, 1899 (Scott Joplin played cornet in a band at the fair)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/dukesm:@field(DOCID+@lit(ncdhasm.b0940))

Anton Dvorak (He inspired to write the New World Symphony)
Hello Central, give me heaven. 1901 (sheet music from Historic American Sheet Music)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/dukesm:@field(DOCID+@lit(ncdhasm.n0311))

Periodical Articles
Artist's Impressions Of The World's Fair. I. Foreground And Vista At The Fair. [Scribner's magazine. / Volume 14, Issue 1, July, 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(AFR7379-0014-6_bib))

Artist's Impressions Of The World's Fair. II. Types And People At The Fair. [Scribner's magazine. / Volume 14, Issue 2, August, 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(AFR7379-0014-26_bib))

Artist's Impressions Of The World's Fair. III. The Art Of The White City. [Scribner's magazine. / Volume 14, Issue 4, October, 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(AFR7379-0014-63_bib))

Artist's Impressions Of The World's Fair. IV. The Picturesque Side. [Scribner's magazine. / Volume 14, Issue 5, November, 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(AFR7379-0014-74_bib))

Columbian Exposition, What It Will Do for America. [The Century; a popular quarterly. / Volume 44, Issue 6, Oct 1892]
(Nineteenth Century in Print: Periodicals)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABP2287-0044-206_bib))

Columbian Exposition: The World's Fair and Landscape-Gardening. [The Century; a popular quarterly. / Volume 45, Issue 6, Apr 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABP2287-0045-208_bib))

A Condensed Architectural History of the World's Columbian Exposition. [Manufacturer and builder / Volume 25, Issue 10, October 1893]
} http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABS1821-0025-597_bib))

The Ferris Wheel at the World’s Fair [Manufacturer and builder / Volume 25, Issue 8, August 1893] (Article from Nineteenth Century in Print: Periodicals)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABS1821-0025-457_bib))

Household Inventions at the World's Fair. [Manufacturer and builder / Volume 25, Issue 10, October 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABS1821-0025-627_bib))

Musical Societies Of The United States And Their Representation At The World's Fair. [Scribner's magazine. / Volume 14, Issue 1, July, 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(AFR7379-0014-11_bib))Side

Shows at the World's Fair. [Manufacturer and builder / Volume 25, Issue 7, July 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABS1821-0025-419_bib))

Sights at the Fair [The Century; a popular quarterly. / Volume 46, Issue 5, Sept 1893] 12 page article with illustrations
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABP2287-0046-154_bib))

World's Fair Attendance. [Manufacturer and builder / Volume 25, Issue 8, August 1893] (article from Nineteenth Century in Print: Periodicals)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABS1821-0025-501_bib))

World's Fair Statistics. [Manufacturer and builder / Volume 25, Issue 12, December 1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABS1821-0025-765_bib))

A Yankee's Impressions of the World's Fair. [Manufacturer and builder / Volume 25, Issue 7, July 1893]
(Article from Nineteenth Century in Print: Periodicals)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncpsbib:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABS1821-0025-429_bib))

Broadsides, Letters, News Articles, Speeches and Related Documents

Lecture on Haiti. The Haitian pavilion dedication ceremonies delivered at the World's fair, in Jackson Park, Chicago, Jan. 2d, 1893.
By the Hon. Frederick Douglass ... Introductory by Prof. David Swing. Response of the Director-General Geo. R. Davis ...
(African American Perspectives)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/murraybib:@field(NUMBER+@band(lcrbmrp+t2109))

The Java village Midway plaisance. World's Columbian exposition ... [Chicago? Ill., 1893].(An American Time Capsule)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/rbpebib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbpe+01803700))

John Brown Souvenir of the World's Columbian exposition. Chicago. 1893. (An American Time Capsule)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/rbpebib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbpe+01803800))

Letter from Helen Keller to John Hitz, August 29, 1893
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=magbell&fileName=215/21500147/bellpage.db&recNum=0

Letter from Helen Keller to Mabel Hubbard Bell, August 20, 1893
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=magbell&fileName=124/12400303/bellpage.db&recNum=0

The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the World's Columbian Exposition Ida B. Wells (From Frederick Douglass Papers)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mfd&fileName=25/25023/25023page.db&recNum=0

To-day's events. A publication diffusing important information in the interest of the World's fair visitors, concessionaires and exhibitors. Chicago,
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1893. (American Time Capsule)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/rbpebib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbpe+0180370d))

United States of America v. American Bell Telephone Co. and Emile Berliner, summary of brief for defendants, pleadings, brief, argument of
Frederick P. Fish, Esq., for defendants, the American Bell Telephone Co.'s exhibit at the Columbian Exposition…
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/berl:@field(NUMBER+@band(berl+04020301))

World’s Fair Watermelons (news article from African American Experience in Ohio)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/aaeo:@field(DOCID+@lit(o17825))

New Jersey building ... (1893) (An American Time Capsule leaflet)
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/rbpebib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbpe+0180370a))

Maryland day World's Columbian Exposition Chicago, Tuesday, September twelfth. Programme of ceremonies at Music
Hall, three thirty P. M.[1893]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/rbpebib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbpe+0180370b))

Additional Resources Outside of the Library of Congress:
World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 (Illinois Institute of Technology)
http://columbus.gl.iit.edu/

World’s Columbian Exposition – Chicago, 1893 (Chicago Historical Society)
http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo.html

Chicago’s Great Ferris Wheel of 1893 (Hyde Park Historical Society)
http://www.hydeparkhistory.org/newsletter.html

Interactive Guide to the World’s Columbian Exposition
http://users.vnet.net/schulman/Columbian/columbian.html

Web-Book of the Fair
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~shancock/fair/1893.html

Richard Peck’s Interview Transcript (Scholastic) http://www2.scholastic.com/teachers/authorsandbooks/authorstudies/authorhome.jhtml;jsessionid=4D5KDRQH4T0UICQVALD
SFFAKCUBJWIWA?authorID=5557&collateralID=10418&displayName=Interview+Transcript&displayName=Interview
Transcript

Activity Ideas
• Create a scrapbook with the primary sources you find.
• Learn more about Richard Peck and his inspirations for writing this book.
• Richard Peck uses figurative language throughout this story. Find similes and metaphors and think of some that you and your friends use.
• Research life in Chicago in 1893. What was the population, modes of transportation, industries, and famous buildings? What were
some "firsts" introduced at the World's Fair?
• Postcards were first sold at the World's Fair in 1893. Research the first postcards and create your own from one of the Beckett's experiences.
• Richard Peck refers to many songs in this book. Research the songs and their origins. Locate sheet music for these songs.
• The Fair was as an inspiration to man. Research people who were inspired to create something new as a result of the Fair.
(John Philip Sousa wrote an Exhibition march, the magnificent buildings inspired L. Frank Baum to create his Emerald City,
Scott Joplin developed Ragtime while playing on the grounds, Dvorak composed the New World Symphony, and the Pledge
of Allegiance and Columbus Day were introduced.)