Flappers & Fiction

William Waldorf Astor responds to Senator Farwell’s advocacy for Chicago to host the 1892 Columbus Exhibition, arguing instead for New York. Astor contends that Chicago’s inland location and agricultural focus would limit foreign participation and reduce the exhibition to a mere county fair, while New York’s maritime position and international connections make it the natural gateway between America and the world. He envisions the exhibition as a grand historical showcase of four centuries of civilization since Columbus’s discovery, displaying progress in thought, art, science, and human achievement from all nations. Astor emphasizes that New York’s historic supremacy and accessibility to foreign exhibitors are essential for creating a truly international celebration worthy of Columbus’s legacy.