Philadelphia To Open Free Exhibition Marking 1876 World’s Fair
An immersive exhibit titled Revisit 1876 is arriving in Center City Philadelphia to commemorate the city’s World’s Fair legacy from 1876. Coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary this year, Revisit 1876…
An immersive exhibit titled Revisit 1876 is arriving in Center City Philadelphia to commemorate the city's World's Fair legacy from 1876.
Coinciding with America's 250th anniversary this year, Revisit 1876 will run from late June through November at the Lits Building, located at Eighth and Market streets in Philadelphia.
Visitors to the exhibition will experience large-scale immersive pavilions recreating the Centennial Exhibition grand halls and featuring inventions such as Alexander Graham Bell's first telephone, steam engines, locomotives, typewriters, popcorn, and root beer. The exhibit will also delve into some untold stories, including the debut of the first women's pavilion and themes of inclusion and exclusion during this era.
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“Our goal is to Revisit 1876, but also invite visitors, residents, and families to explore destinations today that directly connect to the Centennial Exhibition,” said Paul R. Levy, executive director of the Center City District Foundation, in a statement shared with MyChesCo. “As we celebrate our 250th, we invite guests to look back and forward for a deeper understanding of today's challenges and opportunities.”
According to Levy, the exhibit links past and present by showing how Centennial Exhibition remnants influence Philadelphia today, including artifacts related to The Franklin Institute and Memorial Hall, home to the Please Touch Museum.
The project is a collaboration among Drexel University's Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships, IS Architects, and Art Guild. It also ties into the Market Street East revitalization and Philadelphia's global legacy.
