Women and the World's Fair

With the new job, my research has been sporadic at best. I seem to only be able to read that which is for "pleasure." Current semi-obsession? The Columbian Exposition of 1893. I ran across this cd many years ago in my Chaminade research and have now returned to trying to understand this illusive event. Since most of the buildings are gone and this was before the advent of film/moving picture, all that is left of the Chicago World's Fair are tons of photographs. And a plethora of printed materials/souvenirs.

I'm still learning about the fair in general (current wonderful reading materials: these books.) In attempts to connect my fascination with my possible former article topic research, I've turned to the women of the exhibition. The women's building hosted semi-monthly concerts that women were encouraged to apply to. However, "no musical prodigy [was] admitted," instead "only women or girls who [were] amateurs." (So sayth Art and Handicraft in the Woman's Building of the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, which can be found in its entirety on google books.)

So in addition to Huneker's satire/commentary ("don't attempt to become rubinsteins in petticoats"), this one practical example, and the burgeoning clubwork growing in America in this era, maybe there's something to be said about the allure of the amateur female musician. Reactionary to gender changes in American society? Byproduct of the rise of the middle class? Anxiety in the economic climate of the "gilded age"? I'll keep you posted.

(Photo credit to this site.)