Century of Progress International Exposition Souvenir Serving Tray

Souvenir metal serving tray from the 1933-1934 Century of Progress International Exhibition, held in Chicago, Illinois. Commonly known as The Chicago World's Fair, the Exposition was the city's second, the first being 1893's World's Columbian Exposition. The Century of Progress ran from May 1933 to October of 1934 on Northerly Island, an artificial peninsula extending into Lake Michigan.

Although the impetus of the Fair was to celebrate the midwestern metropolis's 100th anniversary, it emphasized the future, highlighting modern design and technological efficiency. Built in the throes of the Great Depression, the Exposition provided corporations an opportunity to inspire consumers, promoting prospects of a not-too-distant world filled with fantastic goods and services.

Featured on the souvenir serving tray are five buildings built for the Fair. They include the Fair's Federal Building and State Hall, the Electrical Building, Fort Dearborn, and the Hall of Science, Travel and Transport.

Currently not on view