Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Buffalo, New York

The Electric Tower
Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Photograph Collection

The Pan-American Exposition was held in Buffalo, NY from May 1 to November 2, 1901 on a 342 acre site between Delaware Park Lake on the south, the New York Central railroad tracks on the north, Delaware Avenue on the east, and Elmwood Avenue on the west. The fair featured the latest technologies, including electricity, and attracted nearly 8 million people. A midway provided rides and other entertainment; athletic events took place at a specially constructed stadium.The African, Eskimo and Mexican Villages were among the attractions. Some states as well as South and Central American countries had their own buildings. The Electric Tower was illuminated nightly by thousands of colored bulbs and floodlights. On September 6, President William McKinley was shot outside the Temple of Music. He died eight days later at the home of John Milburn on Delaware Avenue. Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated President at the Wilcox House on September 14, 1901.

Pan-American Exposition Resources

• The African Village Exhibit from the Buffalo Museum of Science
• Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
• Special Collections Department of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
• American Memory Collection from the Library of Congress
  • McKinley-Pan American Exposition Early Motion Pictures Home Page
  • Pan-American Exposition Movies
• Pan-American Exposition Pages from the Buffalo History Works
• Buffalo Pan-American Exposition Celebration 1901-2001
• "Doing the Pan" The Pan-American Exposition 1901 Buffalo - The Human Side
• Pan-American Exposition Page from City Honors School, Buffalo, NY

Questions and comments about Pan-American Exhibition resources should go to the institution containing the resources.
Comments about this site can go to Buffalo Free-Net Library

BFN Library Home Page Buffalo Free-Net Home Page

Updated 6/15/01