Century of Progress Scrapbooks

Dates: 1933-circa 1939 [bulk dates 1933]
Size: 5 linear feet in 4 boxes
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605
Collection Number: spe.f00107
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Donated by Greg Lundgren, via the Davenport [Iowa] Public Library, in 2019
Conditions Governing Access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Preferred Citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Century of Progress Scrapbooks [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library
Finding Aid Author: Morag Walsh, 2019. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Johanna Russ, 2021.

Abstract

This collection comprises of 11 scrapbooks of news clippings related to Chicago’s Century of Progress World’s Fair. Most of the clippings in the scrapbooks are from Chicago newspapers though the creator is unknown. While many different aspects of the Fair are covered, there is a significant amount of dedicated to Sally Rand, the burlesque dancer and actress, known for her fan dance.

Biographical/Historical

A Century of Progress was the name given to the 1933 World's Fair, held along the lakefront of Chicago from June 1 – November 1, 1933, and May 26 – October 31, 1934. This was the second international exposition held in Chicago during a 40-year period: the first was the World's Columbian Exposition, which in 1893 played host to over 27 million people in Jackson Park on the city's South Side. A Century of Progress was equally as popular. The fairgrounds bordered 37th Street on the South and Roosevelt Road on the North.

Scope and Contents

This collection comprises of 11 scrapbooks containing news clippings related to Chicago’s Century of Progress World’s Fair. Most of the clippings in the scrapbooks are from Chicago newspapers though the creator is unknown. While many different aspects of the Fair are covered, there is a significant amount dedicated to Sally Rand, the burlesque dancer and actress, known for her fan dance.

Arrangement

Arrangement is chronological.

Related Materials

Subject Headings

  • Rand, Sally, 1904-1979.
  • Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.)

Collection Inventory

Box 1 Folder 1 Scrapbook 1933 May 26 – 1933 June 2
Box 1 Folder 2 Scrapbook 1933 June 3 – 1933 June 29
Box 1 Folder 3 Scrapbook 1933 June 26 – 1933 July 22
Box 2 Folder 1 Scrapbook 1933 July 17 – 1933 August 8
Box 2 Folder 2 Scrapbook 1933 August 6 – 1933 August 25
Box 2 Folder 3 Scrapbook 1933 August 27 – 1933 September 22
Box 3 Folder 1 Scrapbook 1933 September 23 – 1933 October 4
Box 3 Folder 2 Scrapbook 1933 October 6 – 1933 October 20
Box 3 Folder 3 Scrapbook 1933 October 21 – 1933 November 9
Box 4 Folder 1 Scrapbook 1933 November 9 – 1934 November
Box 4 Folder 2 Scrapbook 1934 November – circa 1939
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