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Pan-American Exposition and Niagara Falls letter

Creation: 1901 August 16
 Collection
Accession: 2384

Abstract

The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York from May 1 to November 2, 1901. This collection is a letter from Katherine M. (Hunting) Fuller (1869-1958) to her daughter, Muriel H. Fuller (1892-1976), about the exposition and Niagara Falls.

Dates

  • Creation: 1901 August 16

Creator

Extent

2 item(s)

Historical Note

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.

Scope and Contents

Letter from Katherine M. (Hunting) Fuller (1869-1958), who was staying with friends or relatives at or near Buffalo, to her daughter, Muriel H. Fuller (1892-1976). The letter describes her visit to Niagara Falls and the Pan-American Exposition. The first sheet of the letter is decorated with photo-mechanical vignettes of the Exposition and the second with views of Niagara Falls. The letter is accompanied by a souvenir envelope with a chromolithograph of the Ethnology Building.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Pan-American Exposition and Niagara Falls letter
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2021: Ashley Williams

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400