World’s Fair Presentation at Canton Library

Canton Public Library welcomes St. Louis historian Colin O’Brien for a presentation about the history of the World’s Fair, with a focus on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The presentation will take place on Friday, August 4 at 6:00 PM at the library. Colin will discuss the significance of World’s Fairs, when they started, why they were so important, and the evolution of the World’s Fair.

“The history of World’s Fairs offers a fascinating look at the cultural and political climate of their times,” Colin says. “The Columbian Exposition and the St. Louis World’s Fair were massively influential expressions of an adolescent America’s ambitions on the world stage. Situated in an era of international good feeling prior to the tumult of the world wars and depression of 1914-45, they exuded an optimism for an international, culturally effusive, peaceful future--in which America would sit at the table equal with the old world powers.”

Colin studied history at the George Washington University where he wrote his senior thesis on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He remains actively interested in US history and is working his way through reading a biography of every US President in order (currently wrapping up Missouri’s own Harry S. Truman). Colin O’Brien owns Blank Slate, an event production company in St. Louis. Through it, Colin produces a wide variety of festivals, parades, concerts, and theatrical productions.

“The Golden Age of World’s Fairs” wraps up the Summer Reading events at the Library’s “Meet Me at the Fair” Summer Reading Program, and is intended for an adult and young adult audience.

The library is located at 403 Lewis Street in Canton. It is open Tuesday - Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays 10 AM to 2 PM. Check for updates and information on Facebook at Your Canton Library, visit www.cantonmopubliclibrary.org, or call 573-288-5279.

This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.