Illinois Board of World's Fair Commissioners (World's Columbian Exposition)

The World's Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago in 1893 to commemorate the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492. The Illinois Board of World's Fair Commissioners (created 1891) assumed responsibility for the exhibit preparation and supervision as well as building construction and furnishing for the exhibits. The Board of Commissioners also had authority to sell all salvageable materials at the exposition's end. The Woman's Board for the exposition also was established under the 1891 act as an adjunct to the Board of Commissioners, and was given authority to expend ten percent of the total appropriation to present the industries of Illinois women at the exposition.