1893 Worlds Fair was start of urban planning

By Hope Wallace

“Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood.”  Daniel Burnham, architect.

Daniel Burnham was the chief architect of the 1893 Worlds Fair Exposition in Chicago, which came to be called the White City. Whenever I see images from this world’s fair, I am dumbfounded that this project was completed in less than two years. Two hundred buildings covering 630 acres in the area of what is now Jackson Park included roads, promenades, a midway, railroads, lavish gardens and landscaped lagoons with winding canals featuring silently propelled boats of many descriptions.

Forty-six countries were represented in national pavilions and the fair drew 26 million visitors. Granted, the 1893 Worlds Fair was not designed for permanency and in the days before accessibility codes and fire protection systems most of the buildings burned to the ground in July 1894 after closing in May of that same year. Two surviving buildings that were designed for permanency house the Field Museum of Natural History and the Chicago Institute of Art.

The planning of this monumental undertaking was headed up by the famous architect Daniel Burnham, who later developed the first techniques of what we now know as urban design. This is an inspiring project that endured many delays, surmounted numerous hurdles and presents a perspective of what a community can do when it sets its collective mind to it.

Relatively speaking, there are no small plans when it comes to the Van Wert Armory. Work crews are working simultaneously on floors, HVAC, roofing, electrical and general construction. While we may not have mysteriously powered, festive gondolas traversing up and down Town Creek, we are excited and honored to help create a new attraction for Van Wert and we are grateful for the support the community has shown.

This past Saturday guests from Up to the Challenge (a group based in Delphos and dedicated to expanding skills for persons with developmental disabilities) came to the art center to create tiles for the armory steps. Six participants from around the area, Paulding and Delphos seemed to enjoy the tactile sensation of clay and the ability to help with a good cause. Stamped textural designs and a beautiful horse emerged from their efforts. Thank you!

On May 10, 6–10 p.m. May 11, 9–Midnight, and May 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. we are holding an all weekend scrapbooking crop as a fundraiser for the NEW Wassenberg Art Center! This is an excellent opportunity for senior moms, new moms, and all the rest of you who are woefully behind on your projects to finish them or make some great progress! All proceeds benefit the Wassenberg Art Center. Cost for the entire weekend: $50, Friday – $10, Saturday – $30, Sunday – $20.
Sign up for the entire weekend or partial as priced. Payment can be made at or sent to the Wassenberg Art Center prior to arriving to reserve your table. Snacks will be served on Friday night and Saturday will have a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Sunday we will have a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Water, ice and coffee will be provided or you may bring in any other drink of your choice. No alcohol, please. In addition there will be gift packs for all, a raffle table with $1 tickets or 6 tickets for $5, and scrapbook vendors.

Our next upcoming exhibit is the 2013 Annual High School Invitational and is sponsored by Cooper Farms. We invite you to celebrate the hard work and skill of our young artists! We are looking forward to providing these artists a respected and local venue to exhibit their work. This a juried competition with the student having an opportunity to win cash prizes. The works on exhibit come from area high schools within a 35-mile radius of the Wassenberg Art Center. Public opening reception is April 20 with awards presented at 7 p.m.

Artists! Grab your chairs. The Char-ity Auction is back in grand fashion and we have naked chairs awaiting your artwork. Those of you who would like to donate your skills and talent and paint an original on a donated chair to be sold at our silent auction, give us a call. The finished chairs will be available during the 2013 Peony Festival and are sponsored by Ace Hardware.

On April 24, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will have international National Geographic, photographer Joel Sartore for a color saturated presentation on photographing some of the worlds most exotic wildlife and since we love photography we can’t help but want to more about this world renowned photographer and see his amazing work. For ticket information call the NPAC at 419.238.NPAC (6722) or visit its website at: npacvw.org.

If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are: Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 South Washington Street in Van Wert.