Museum of Science and Industry

BOTH DATES OF THIS EVENT HAVE SOLD OUT.

Did you miss out? The Museum also offers a regular presentation of this simulation in a smaller group setting.
Learn more about Blueprints to Our Past

Two dates! December 5 and 6 at 2 p.m.

This fascinating virtual simulation tour of the 1893 World’s Fair is back by popular demand as Chicago’s Burnham Centennial celebration comes to a close.

Unless you’re a Chicago history buff, you may not know that the Columbian Exposition—also referred to as “The White City” or the World’s Fair of 1893—was a source of inspiration for Daniel Burnham’s audacious 1909 Plan for Chicago, which provided a vision of what a well-ordered and attractive city of the future could be. The Plan for Chicago has inspired generations of Chicagoans and city lovers worldwide. This year, the Burnham Plan Centennial is a regional event celebrating the Plan's legacy and looking forward to the bold, new plans for the region.

In coordination with this special anniversary year, the Museum will be offering guests another chance to “stroll” through the White City. This presentation includes new visuals and content, including the Midway and South Pond areas.

A highlight of the tour is the Museum of Science and Industry itself! While the Museum opened its doors 40 years after the World’s Fair, we are housed in the only remaining building from the Exposition: the Palace of Fine Arts by Burnham & Root architect Charles Atwood.

Dr. Lisa Snyder, associate director of outreach and operations for UCLA’s Experimental Technologies Center and the UCLA Urban Simulation team, will be presenting the recreation of the White City using real-time video simulation technology. Tim Samuelson, cultural historian for the City of Chicago, will provide expert commentary and insight.

Tickets

This event has sold out. For more information, call (773) 684-1414.

Additional Burnham Plan Centennial information

Visit the Burnham Plan Centennial Web site for a complete schedule of Burnham Programs events and exhibits, which can be searched by date, zip code and partner institution.

Two Ways to Tour the White City

This is one of two special events featuring the 1893 Columbian Exposition and our building’s role in it. Both are presentations of a computer-simulated tour of the “White City,” but each offers a unique way to explore the Expo:

Offered throughout the year, Blueprints to Our Past is a presentation of the virtualized White City tour narrated by a Museum host. This event features smaller group sizes and a short walking tour.

Explore the White City is a special event offered just a few times each year. It features the most up-to-date virtualized White City tour, presented by Dr. Lisa Snyder and Chicago city historian Tim Samuelson. It is a larger event held in an auditorium, and does not involve a walking tour.

More details