Total Pageviews

Monday, July 23, 2012

Omaha Exposition of 1898

Lois (Mohr) Musel brought a souvenir that one of her family members had gotten at the Omaha Exposition of 1898.  The 'cranberry goblet has "Exp. 98" etched into it and "John Mohr."  Another Society member brought a similar goblet she had bought off e-bay that had "Walt Mangold" inscribed on it.  Walt was a Post Master here in town.  The cups are over a century old and mark a very important celebration that put this part of the country on the map.

Check it out!
"Exp. 98"

"John Mohr"

The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition was a world's fair held in Omaha, Nebraska from June 1 to November 1 of 1898. Its goal was to showcase the development of the entire West, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. The Indian Congress was held concurrently. Over 2.6 million people came to Omaha to view the 4,062 exhibits during the four months of the Exposition. President William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan were among the dignitaries who attended at the invitation of Gurdon Wattles, the event's leader. 100,000 people assembled on the plaza to hear them speak. The Expo stretched over a 180-acre (0.73 km2) tract in North Omaha and featured a 2,000 feet (610 m)-long lagoon encircled by 21 classical buildings that featured fine and modern products from around the world.