The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 is best known for its portrayal of the “White City” a futuristic vision of urban life in America and the world inspired by the City Beautiful movement in neo-classical architecture. In six months, more than 27 million people visited the fair to marvel at the latest in American inventiveness and economic development, including the first Ferris wheel and moving sidewalk. Wrigley’s chewing gum and Cracker Jack debuted, as did the dishwasher.
Despite the fair’s futuristic theme, one of the most popular attractions was the Anthropology Building and a full-scale replica of ancient Colorado cliff dwellings. Indian tribes from throughout the country as well as indigenous people from around the world produced living exhibits of their traditional life styles. In 1893, anthropology and archaeology were developing disciplines with little in the way of tradition or norms. For the fair, scholars, backyard diggers, and religious researchers came together to set the foundation for the modern discipline of anthropological inquiry.
Frederic W. Putnam, curator of the Peabody Museum and professor of anthropology at Harvard University, was named chief of the Department of Ethnology at the fair in 1891. Under his leadership, the many exhibits and displays were crafted to bring American archaeology and ethnology to the general public. In so doing he help craft the disciple of anthropology and its subfields of archaeology, ethnology, and physical anthropology. Virtually every anthropologist appeared at the fair, and many made major contributions, including Franz Boa, William Henry Holmes, Frank Cushing, and Warren Morehead. The International Conference of Anthropology was held there from mid-August into September. At the fair’s close, Chicago millionaire Marshall Field donated $1 million to found the Field Museum to continue what the fair had begun. Many of Putnam’s exhibits are still there.
This collection of seven essays and twelve supporting contemporary documents gives the reader both a history of the profession and the workings of the fair. They also provide valuable insights into the shaping of the discipline and the laying of the groundwork for academic departments, museums, and expeditions. Coming of Age in Chicago is a fascinating contribution to the history of anthropology in America.
