The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, from May 1 to November 2, 1901. Buffalo was chosen as the location because of its size and also because of its well-suited railway connections. The fair occupied 250 acres on the western edge of what is now Delaware Park.

The Exposition included educational exhibits as well as a midway. The educational exhibits showcased the latest advancements in technology, most notably electricity. The electric lighting utilized hydroelectric power generated in nearby Niagara Falls. Many of the buildings, including the prominent Electric Tower, were covered in lightbulbs, creating a beautiful and unprecedented sight. Thomas A. Edison Inc. filmed it during the day and a panorama of it at night. The Pan-American Exposition also hosted some of the top engine manufacturers of the time. These companies provided "working exhibits" that actually functioned in the day-to-day operation of the Exposition. The Midway at the Pan-American Exposition provided visitors with entertainment and consisted of more than 42 exhibits. Some of the main attractions of the Midway included the "House Upside Down," "Cleopatra's Temple," and the "Foreign Villages."

The Exposition is most remembered today because President William McKinley (1843-1901) was shot by Leon Czolgosz (1873-1901) at the Temple of Music and died eight days later.