On May 1, 1893, the World’s Columbian Exposition opened in Jackson Park. Organized to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s landfall in what is now the Bahamas, it became a defining moment in Chicago’s history and the history of the US as a whole. More than 20 million people visited the world’s fair over the next five months, eager to see exhibits of various cultures and the latest innovations. The Midway Plaisance, a mile-long avenue that blended education with amusement, featured musicians, dancers, swordsmen, and artisans from around the world, as well as the world’s first Ferris wheel. 

Experience the bustling Midway Plaisance when our newest virtual reality episode “Chicago 00: 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition” is released on June 21. Learn more.

The Chicago 00 Project is an award-winning partnership between the Chicago History Museum and filmmaker Geoffrey Alan Rhodes that produces free interactive virtual and augmented reality experiences. Soar above Northerly Island, immerse yourself in historical film and images of the 1968 DNC protests, and more in the new and compelling medium. See all experiences.