Bertha Palmer
Bertha Palmer wore a lot of labels: Chicago socialite, patron of the arts, real-estate magnate, and all-around Gilded Age powerhouse. Her leadership at the Women’s Building of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition drew praise from all over the world. (and criticism, too!) We’ll also tell you about her influence on Impressionist art in America, and her surprising third act as a Sarasota land developer.
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Books!
Time Travel with The History Chicks
Web!
Mounted on a Pedestal: Bertha Honoré Palmer, the graduate dissertation of Hope L. Black
Letter from Mary Harris (Mother) Jones to Bertha– same goal, different roads.
Don’t use this as your only source, but you can get a quick overview of a lot of wealthy Americans from history at American Artistocracy.
History of Lake Sh…Du Sable Lake Shore Drive (change is slow.)
Chicagology has a lot on Bertha, as well as the development of the city and other prominent citizens, and areas including this piece about Ashland Boulevard, where Bertha grew up.
The Chicago History Museum is an AMAZING visit, if you’re in the city GO! Now! Or maybe at your earliest convenience. Their website has this article about the Palmer House history. You can still stay at the Palmer House Hotel (now owned by Hilton) we did on our recent Field Trip to the city, and were dazzled by her beauty. And you can still get the OG Brownie there, either on a plate or as the garnish on a Brownie Old Fashioned (if you’re over 21, of course.)
Black participation in the 1893 World’s Fair…or rather, intentional LACK of participation inflicted by organizers.
Official Catalog! The exhibits and program list of the Women’s Building (this might be considered a book, it’s 150+ pages long.)
An entire website of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair at WorldsFairChicago1893.com
Some of the thousands of pieces of art in the Women’s Building can be found at Curationist.Org
More details on Bertha’s time and impact on the Sarasota, Florida area from Visit Sarasota.
We said, “I can’t wait for you to see this” so many times, so head on over to our Pinterest Board specifically for the 1893 World’s Fair and Bertha Palmer for all of those!
Moving Pictures!
PBS has a half-hour documentary about Bertha. It’s available for rent on Prime, but you can find it elsewhere.
