1904 St. Louis World's Fair Exhibit Continues Through Sunday at Springfield's Dana-Thomas House

[January 30, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- For a limited time, "Meet Me in St. Louis" means Springfield, as the World's Fair that was the subject of the 1944 Judy Garland musical is featured at a historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed treasure.

The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair exhibit that opened in November at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield continues through Feb. 3. The exhibit features approximately 60 photographs, several posters, and numerous original souvenirs and artifacts collected at the St. Louis World's Fair. Most of the objects are from the never-before-displayed private collection of Mrs. Stanley Burris of Springfield, who has been avidly collecting these artifacts for more than 20 years.

The artifacts may still be viewed through Sunday at the Dana-Thomas House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the site's normal operating hours.

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904 was meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The fair opened in what is now St. Louis' Forest Park, which is still one of America's largest urban parks. The St. Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Zoo's cast iron bird cage are two of the fair's remaining structures. Springfield's Susan Lawrence Dana, for whom the Dana-Thomas House was completed in 1904, attended the World's Fair several times in 1904, and she was among the 20 million people who visited the St. Louis Exposition during its seven-month run.

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are free, although a donation of $3 for adults and $1 for children is suggested. The on-site Sumac Shop, operated by the Dana-Thomas House Foundation, offers a full selection of books and memorabilia about architecture, the 1904 World's Fair era and gift items related to the Dana-Thomas House.

(Dana-Thomas House)

[Text from Illinois Historic Preservation Agency news release received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]