It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

 

"I am here to join my fellow citizens in the congratulations which befit this occasion. Let us hold fast to the meaning that underlies the ceremony and let us not lose the impressiveness of this moment.

As by a touch the machinery that gives life to this vast exposition is now set in motion, so at the same instant let our hopes and aspirations awaken forces which in all time to come shall influence the welfare, the dignity, and the freedom of mankind."

     -from President Grover Cleveland's opening remarks

This novel was recommended to me by a good friend and fellow bibliophile. It is about the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition, also called the Chicago World's Fair. My friend and I had both read Erik Larson's nonfiction Devil in the White City involving the same setting and enjoyed it. This one is historical fiction but quite informative and entertaining. My rating is 4.

Cullen McNamara, a farmer from North Carolina and a promising inventor, is persuaded by his father to exhibit his automatic fire sprinkler system at the fair. Soon after arriving, Cullen meets a young woman from Philadelphia who is there teaching deaf and hearing-impaired children to lip read. Her name is Adelaide Wentworth, called Della.

Cullen's hearing is impaired, and the extreme noise of Machinery Hall makes it difficult for him to interact with potential customers. He asks Della to teach him lip-reading and she reluctantly agrees. The reader can easily predict a romance will ensue.

Many photographs added to the historical nature of the book, as well as the Author's Note sharing fact and fiction in the story. I learned a great deal about the Fair, for example famous people involved like Helen Keller and a number of firsts---products that debuted there that are familiar to us: "Cracker Jack, hamburgers, picture postcards, the Ferris wheel, chili con carne, Aunt Jemima and shredded wheat."

It was surprising to learn that teachers of the deaf were divided with some favoring the teaching of sign language (manualists) and others (oralists) believing lip-reading to be the best communication tool. Della was hired to teach lip-reading but felt a combination would be most helpful. I think most teachers agree with that today.

It's unfortunate that almost all the impressive structures were destroyed as the result of a strike soon after the Fair.