Buffalo's Pan-American Exposition and Ideas of Progress

FAIN: BH-50627-14

SUNY Research Foundation, Buffalo State College (Buffalo, NY 14222-1004)
Jill M. Gradwell (Project Director: March 2014 to April 2017)

For seventy-two teachers, two one-week workshops using the Pan-American Exposition of 1901, held in Buffalo, New York, to explore Gilded Age themes and events.

During the Gilded Age¸ the U.S. reveled in a time of prosperity. But as the Gilded Age infers, the gilding did not always disguise the adverse effects of rapid industrialization. This era of innovations, along with its accompanying negative repercussions, were shared explicitly and implicitly with the wider audience through World’s Fairs like the 1901 Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo. Notably remembered as where Pres. McKinley was assassinated; there is more to the story. Illuminated by 80,000 electric lights, Buffalo was literally transformed into a City of Light. Symbolically, Buffalo’s light was a beacon welcoming a new century. The overarching question for the workshop is “Are World’s Fairs and Expositions the timekeepers of progress and do they record the world’s advancements?” and will be addressed in five day long landmark workshops.

Media Coverage

From the Falls to Forest Lawn: Studying History in Buffalo (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Mary A. Durlak
Publication: SUNY Buffalo State News
Date: 4/2/2015
Abstract: Announcement of the upcoming summer 2015 NEH Workshop in the online SUNY Buffalo State news.
URL: http://newsandevents.buffalostate.edu/news/falls-forest-lawn-studying-history-buffalo

My Turn: You Can Go Home Again (Review)
Author(s): Martin Haber
Publication: 1300 Elmwood: SUNY Buffalo State's Magazine for Alumni and Friends
Date: 12/1/2015
Abstract: Summer Scholar review of the NEH Grant Workshop in the print and online SUNY Buffalo State Alumni magazine.
URL: http://1300elmwood.buffalostate.edu/winter-2015/my-turn-you-can-go-home-again