The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Harold Louis McDowell Collection of the Century of Progress Exposition 1929-1935
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| Title: | McDowell, Harold Louis. Collection of the Century of Progress Exposition |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1929-1935 |
| Size: | 4 linear feet (4 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | Photographs, film canisters, publications, souvenirs, and correspondence related to the Century of Progress International Exposition held in Chicago from 1933-1934. Harold Louis McDowell was hired by the exposition’s Department of Works in 1930 for architectural drafting, designing and rendering, holding the position until the end of the event in 1934. |
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: McDowell, Harold Louis. Collection of the Century of Progress Exposition, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
The Century of Progress International Exposition took place in Chicago, Illinois from May 1933 to October 1934. Its exhibits and temporary architecture attracted tens of millions of visitors. Harold Louis McDowell was employed by the Century of Progress Exposition’s Department of Works in 1930 for architectural drafting and rendering for the exposition, as well as designing signage and maps. He was employed at the Department of Works until the exposition’s demolition period in late 1934.
The Harold Louis McDowell Collection of Century of Progress contains photographs, film canisters, publications, souvenirs, and correspondence related to the Century of Progress International Exposition. Most items belonged to Harold L. McDowell but some of the film and ephemera belonged to his father, Thomas Delbert McDowell. The collection is organized by object type and size, with smaller ephemera, documents and photographs in Boxes 1-2, film canisters in Box 3, and larger drawings, clippings, signage and publications in Box 4.
The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:
Century of Progress International Exposition Collection
Century of Progress International Exposition Publications
Checklist of the Official Publications of the Century of Progress International Exposition and its Exhibitors
Century of Progress International Exposition Scrapbook
Century of Progress International Exposition Press Releases
In addition to the holdings at the University of Chicago Library, significant Chicago-area collections are at the Chicago Architectural Foundation, the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Public Library, and the Newberry Library. The official set of organizational records of the Century of Progress Exposition is located at the Special Collections Department of the University of Illinois at Chicago Library.
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Internal Correspondence and Documents, 1933-1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Century of Progress Books, 1933-1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Postcards and Christmas Cards, 1933 |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Maps, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Trade publications, 1929-1935 |
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Envelopes, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Century of Progress poster, 1933 |
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Century of Progress logos, 1933-1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Souvenir Tray, 1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Clippings, undated |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Commemorative ephemera (stamps, stickers, coaster, cards), 1933-1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Admissions tickets, passes, and visitor guides, 1933-1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | Century of Progress publications, 1931-1934 |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Large photographs 1, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Commemorative Century of Progress bangles, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Commemorative Century of Progress medal, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Commemorative Century of Progress pins, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Century of Progress Ink Stamp, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Large Photographs 2, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Small Photographs 1, undated |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Large Photographs 2, undated |
| Box 3 | Film canister, “Century of Progress reel only, Copy 3,” undated |
| Box 3 | Film canister, “Century of Progress broken film,” undated |
| Box 3 | Film canister, “Chicago History, promoting 1933 World’s Fair,” undated |
| Box 3 | Film canister, “Century of Progress broken boat race,” 1, undated |
| Box 3 | Film canister, “Century of Progress broken boat race,” 2, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 1 | Century of Progress maps, 1933 |
| Box 4 Folder 2 | A Century of Progress Exposition Chicago 1933 |
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Large Century of Progress newspaper clippings, 1934 |
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Partial Century of Progress sign 1, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 5 | Partial Century of Progress sign 2, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 6 | Partial Century of Progress sign 3, undated |
| Box 4 Folder 7 | Framed drawings, undated |