In 1893, Chicago threw a big party in honor of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World. It was a spectacular affair. For five months, people from all over the world flocked to Chicago to take in the sights, which included such things as the first Ferris Wheel, cultural exhibitions, lectures, technological displays, and so much more than can be described in one place. It wrapped up with the spectacular drama of the assassination of Chicago mayor Carter Harrison. Ok, admittedly, that last part was unplanned, but it just goes to show that there was nothing blasé about the 1893 World’s Fair.

When the big event closed at the end of October, it entered into the history books. Anyone who failed to visit missed their chance, because the World’s Fair was over and done with — never to be experienced again.

Unless….

What if you could go back in time and relive those days? Thanks to the miracle of the internet, you can do the next best thing. You don’t need a time machine; all you need to do is click on WorldsFairChicago1893.com.

There is so much about this site that we love. The articles isolate individual areas of interest of the massive event and bring them to life. Through the eyes of the authors, we can see the exhibits with the same sense of wonder experienced by those who walked Chicago’s streets at the end of the 19th century.

We also love the “feel” of the site. Although presented through a 21st-century medium, all of the articles retain the atmosphere of the day, where it takes very little imagination to hear the hustle and bustle of the crowds and see the wondrous juxtaposition of Columbus’ ships within a stone’s throw of the latest technological innovations.

Pay a visit to The World’s Fair Chicago 1893, and be sure to bookmark it when you do or sign up for the mailing list. The frequent updates are an always-welcome reminder of a truly-spectacular extravaganza.