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University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Harold Louis McDowell Collection of the Century of Progress Exposition 1929-1935

© 2020 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

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
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.

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.

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

Citation

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

Historical Note

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.

Scope Note

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.

Related Resources

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:

Browse finding aids by topic.

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.

Subject Headings

INVENTORY

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