Most people likely know about the 1876 World’s Fair, held in Philadelphia in celebration of America’s Centennial Anniversary, but do they know about the one held 50 years later? In an attempt to recapture the glory of its first world’s fair, Philadelphia planned and hosted one to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Minus a few bright spots, the fair was a sparsely-attended monumental disaster, ripe with corruption, racism, and greed at the heart of it. That’s why many don’t know the story of the 1926 World’s Fair.
In his talk, Thomas Keels, author of Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926, will revisit the failures of the Sesquicentennial while looking at how this year’s celebrations can learn from the mistakes of the past.
Details:
When: February 18, 2026 at 2 PM
Where: East Parlor, Saint Joseph Hall, Chestnut Hill College
Questions or accommodation requests and/or physical access needs should be made prior to the event. Please contact contostad@chc.edu.
