Chicago is one of only a few American cities to hold the distinction of having hosted two world’s fairs—the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 and the Century of Progress International Exposition in 1933-34. Each had a profound influence on the city’s development, and each elevated Chicago’s international standing as a major metropolis.

We invite you to join us to commemorate the triumphs of these events and pay tribute to their lasting legacies at our upcoming gala, Celebrating Chicago’s Two World’s Fairs. The gala will be held at Mies van der Rohe’s masterpiece Crown Hall on the IIT campus on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

At Glessner House, we inspire people to enrich their lives through the power of architecture, design, and cultural history. Our 2023 gala will celebrate the world’s fairs which inspired millions of visitors and helped to establish the city as a global leader in architecture and urban planning. Did you know that Daniel Burnham’s “White City” gave rise to the City Beautiful movement that transformed the urban landscape across the country? Or that the 1933 Homes of Tomorrow showcased innovations in residential design, materials, and technologies that changed the way we think about domestic architecture?

We hope you will join us as a sponsor of the 2023 gala, Celebrating Chicago’s Two World’s Fairs on May 23 at Crown Hall. 

We will have a large online auction attracting even more attention then those in attendance at the gala