Scouting at the World's Fair

1933-34         1939 GGIE            1939-40 NY             MAIN PAGE           1962 Seattle          1964-65 NY         1967 Montreal

Other World's Fairs and Expositions

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A Century of Progress International Exposition

Chicago 1933-34

A Century of Progress International Exposition was organized as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation in January of 1928, having for its charter purpose the holding of a World's Fair in Chicago in 1933. The site selected was the land and water areas under the jurisdiction of South Park commissioners lying along and adjacent to the shore of Lake Michigan, between 12th and 39th streets.

The theme of the exposition was to be the progress of civilization during the century of Chicago's corporate existence. Rufus C. Dawes was selected president of the Board of Trustees and Lenox R. Lohr the general manager.

The fair was opened on May 27, 1933, when the lights were turned on with energy from the rays of the star Arcturus. The rays were focused on photo-electric cells in a series of astronomical observatories and then transformed into electrical energy which was transmitted to Chicago.

A Century of Progress drew 39,000,000 visitors (it was repeated in 1934) and for the first time in American history an international fair paid for itself. This fair presented many new ideas in the use of lighting and color but did not have the architectural influence of the World's Columbian Exposition.

According to the Official Guide - Book of the Fair, published by A Century of Progress, the Boy Scouts of America had "a display showing the ideals and the growth of the Boy Scouts' organization in America."  This display was located in the Hall of Social Science.

Scouting Memorabilia