EXHIBIT AT THE BEN FERREL PLATTE COUNTY MUSEUM
Can you imagine the excitement of winning a gold, silver or bronze medal at the St. Louis World’s Fair?
Many farmers from Parkville, Platte City and other parts of Platte County, received medals and other recognitions at this fair in agricultural categories ranging from mules to orchard fruits.
Through Oct. 12, the Ben Ferrel Platte County Museum at 220 Ferrel, Platte City, will feature this largely forgotten part of local history in the exhibit “St. Louis World’s Fair 1904 with a Platte County Flair.”
The exhibit is designed in a story format that takes visitors from a farm orchard in Parkville to the fairgrounds in St. Louis. In addition to its focus on agriculture, the exhibit includes photos, period clothing and facts about the fair such as how it introduced inventions, popularized foods and showcased electric lights on a grand scale that most visitors had never seen before.
Members of the community also contributed to various displays. Kristina Rackin, an art instructor at Platte City Middle School, created a tabletop corn palace modeled on Missouri’s Corn Palace from the World’s Fair.
Chloe Strande, a student at Platte County High School, is painting a replica of a famous advertising poster from this fair.
Interactive children’s story times highlighting the exhibit’s themes may be offered this fall for children (ages 7-12).
For information and times, please call (816) 304-1627.
The museum is open Thursdays and Fridays through Oct. 12 from 1-4 p.m.
