The Wonder and Complexity of the 1904 World’s Fair

Edited by the Missouri Historical Society Press

In this companion book to the new 1904 World’s Fair exhibit at the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis scholars contribute essays on the untold stories of the Fair, exploring topics such as its visual culture, technology, and international reach. They also cover more challenging aspects: the Filipino people who were brought to St. Louis to be placed on display, the African Americans who were refused service, and the Chinese people who faced prejudice and arrest. Compelling images and artifacts from the Missouri Historical Society’s rich collections further enhance these stories, with a small catalog of additional images at the end of the book.

Contributors include Ria Unson, Elizabeth Eikmann, Peter Tao, Kristie Lein, Linda M. Nance, Dr. Arthelda Busch Williams, and Dave Walsh, with a foreword by exhibit curator Sharon Smith. 

Paperback | 152 pages | 97 color plates, 15 halftones | November 2024