World’s Columbian Exposition Light Display

Jennifer and Daniel visit the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. The fair’s electric lighting showed what large electrical systems could do, drawing on work by Tesla, Westinghouse, and other engineers. Children create a miniature scene with paper buildings, pathways, and drawn lights or enclosed battery lights placed by an adult. As they design their display, they consider how electric lighting changed what people could see and do after sunset.

Materials Poster board, folded paper or clean cardboard, markers, tape or glue, scissors, and optional battery lights with securely closed battery compartments.

Experiment or Activity 

1. Sketch a fairground with buildings, paths, and gathering places.

2. Make simple paper buildings and arrange them on the board.

3. Choose where lights would help visitors see and move. Use drawn lights or have an adult place enclosed battery lights.

4. Add a sign reading Chicago 1893. Label how lighting changes the scene and explain your design.

Safety note Adults supervise cutting and handle batteries. Use only battery lights with secure compartments. No loose coin cells, candles, wall-powered lights, or homemade electrical wiring.

What children learn Electric lighting changed how people used public spaces after sunset. A miniature scene represents the fair; it does not recreate its electrical system.

Think about it What could visitors do more easily with light after dark?