Come to the Fair
In 1904 St. Louis invited the world to 'Come to the Fair'--the 1904 World's Fair.
Also called the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the Fair marked the centennial anniversary of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty. Fair organizers hoped to showcase the industrial, commercial, and social progress made in the 100 years since the Treaty was signed.
Meet me in St. Louis
a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture ; produced by Arthur Freed ; screenplay by Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finklehoffe ; directed by Vincente Minnelli.
[United States] : Turner Entertainment Co. ; Burbank, CA : Distributed by Warner Home Video, [2004], c1944.
- DVD, region 1.
- In English with optional English, French or Spanish subtitles. Closed-captioned in English.
- Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Marjorie Main, Harry Davenport.
- Based on the book by Sally Benson.
- Originally released as a motion picture in 1944.
- "All-new 60th-anniversary digital transfer from restored picture and audio elements...soundtrack remastered in Dolby digital 5.0 as well as original mono."--Container.
- A family in turn of the century St. Louis anticipates the 1904 World's Fair, but they may have to move to New York before it happens.
- Includes introduction by Liza Minnelli; music-only track; 2 behind-the-scenes documentaries, "The making of an American classic" and "Hollywood : the dream factory"; Turner classic movies special "Becoming attractions : Judy Garland"; commentary by Garland biographer John Fricke with Margaret O'Brien, composer Hugh Martin, screenwriter Irving Brecher and Barbara Freed-Saltzman; musical shorts; photo recreation of deleted song "Boys and girls like you and me"; TV series pilot episode; radio show; Vincente Minnelli trailers.
Anthropology goes to the fair : the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition
Nancy J. Parezo & Don D. Fowler.
Lincoln : University of Nebraska Press, c2007.
"Anthropology Goes to the Fair takes readers through the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition to see how anthropology, as conceptualized by WJ McGee, the first president of the American Anthropological Association, showcased itself through programs, static displays, and living exhibits for millions of people "to show each half of the world how the other half lives." More than two thousand Native peoples negotiated and portrayed their own agendas on this world stage. The reader will see how anthropology itself was changed in the process."--BOOK JACKET.
Meet me at the ferris wheel : an adventure at the St. Louis World's Fair with 75 authentic pictures
Joy Dawson.
Bloomington, IN : AuthorHouse, 2006.
Young Frank and Rudy must do most of the tasks on their Missouri farm. Because of a family loss, they are saddened, but they bravely move on. Life is not all work for them, though, for they have wonderful times fishing for "the big one" and swimming in their muddy pond. Then one day their father shocks them with the happy announcement "You are going to attend the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair." During their time at the fair, the sons meet a brother they have never seen, discover a glorious new era of invention, and have their first taste of a beverage called "iced tea." The journey is magic for them both, but even moreso for Frank when he meets a girl named Grace.
1904 World's Fair : the Filipino experience
by Jose D. Fermin.
West Conshohocken, PA : Infinity Publishing.com, c2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-230) and index.
Meet me in St. Louis : a trip to the 1904 World's Fair
by Robert Jackson.
New York : HarperCollins, c2004.
You are holding a ticket to one of the largest and most magnificent celebrations of all time -- the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair! For seven months nearly twenty million visitors from around the globe flooded the fairgrounds of Forest Park. Many explored the twelve mammoth palaces (made of plaster and horsehair!), which showcased amazing exhibits. Others enjoyed watching the first Olympic Games in the United States, keeping cool all summer with a new treat that became an instant hit -- the ice-cream cone. And everyone loved viewing all 1275 acres of fairgrounds from atop the 265-foot Ferris wheel. Robert Jackson describes the planning, building, events, and memory of a fair that enthralled millions with its magic. In fascinating detail, he captures the energy and imagination of turn-of-the-century America, when fairgoers begged friends and family to meet them in St. Louis Book jacket.
Imagining the Holy Land : maps, models, and fantasy travels
Burke O. Long.
Bloomington : Indiana University Press, c2003.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 241-251) and index.
Inside the World's fair of 1904 : exploring the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
Elana V. Fox.
[Bloomington, Ind.] : 1st Books library, c2003.
With historical references and over 540 pictures, this is a comprehensive view of the World's Fair of 1904. The reader will see inside each building and concession from a perspective never experienced except by those who actually attended the fair.
Standing on a volcano : the life and times of David Rowland Francis
Harper Barnes.
St. Louis : Missouri Historical Society Press in association with the Francis Press : [Distributed by Southern Illinois University Press], c2001.
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 415-445) and index.
- Maps on lining papers.
Between April 30-December 1, 1904 over 20,000,000 visitors from around the world marveled at the Fair's grandeur. They walked down the mile long aisles of the Palace buildings, listened to concerts, attended the Olympics, or explored replicas of homes and government buildings from distant lands.
For some visitors it was their first opportunity to experience innovations like electricity, fast food, and those newfangled vehicles called automobiles.
For others it was the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet people from around the world. Imagine sitting in a restaurant seated next to a tribal chieftain from the Philippines, the ruler of China, or Teddy Roosevelt. Such an encounter was even more fun while enjoying foods from Germany, China, or Ireland. Two newly introduced American foods, fairy floss (cotton candy) and Dr. Pepper, became long-remembered treats.
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The Pike--the Fair's midway offered
Egyptian acrobats
A horse that did math
Water chutes
Animal shows
An Alpine village
A Japanese temple |
Fun and adventure could be found at any corner of the Fair. The Pike with its rides and amusements was the place too good to miss--just as long as the visitor did not come on Sunday. The Pike, and all the Fair buildings, were closed each Sunday.
Scott Joplin entertained the crowds with his ragtime tunes including his "Meet Me in St. Louis." That same title later became a film starring Judy Garland.
The Fair closed over 100 years ago, with many of its buildings being demolished and its innovations replaced by newer ones. But the stories passed along by Fair visitors are still told and retold today.
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff.
