USNM CURATORS ANNUAL REPORTS -- Department of Ethnology: Annual Report 1891 – 1892

In 1893, the Chicago World’s Fair, also known as the Chicago Columbian Expedition, kicked off—celebrating 400 years since Christopher Columbus came to the New World. Over 27 million people attended the exposition, which featured buildings representing 46 countries. A few years before the World’s Fair began, preparations were well underway, including at the Smithsonian! The Department of Ethnology outlines their involvement in the World’s Fair in this annual curator’s report. Learn more about the Chicago World’s Fair and help transcribe a piece of Smithsonian history.