World's Fair Night

For 250 years, Philadelphia has been a home for sparking the nation’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. How did the American Revolution inspire Philadelphia’s art scene in 1776 and set the stage for a world’s fair to remember 100 years later? Kick off the anniversary of the U.S. Centennial Exposition, which opened on May 10, 1876 to commemorate the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.  

Inspired by The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst, joined the Museum of the American Revolution and guest experts from The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Historical Society of Pennsylvania for a world’s fair night to celebrate 250 years of city-wide imagination and innovation to preserve landmarks, create art, and build attractions that welcome the world to Philadelphia. This special evening program and reception was themed to Philadelphia’s history of hosting national and global events that, among impacting tourism, traffic, and architecture, have fostered a sense of public curiosity for independence movements around the world since 1776.

Hosted by Museum staff, Philadelphia Museum of Art’s David Barquist and Colin Fanning joined Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s Justina Barrett and Selena Austin for a roundtable conversation illustrating how the artists and architects, individuals and institutions collaborated in both 1776 and 1876 to build the city’s reputation as a revolutionary center worth re-visiting in 2026.

The program is available to watch below.

The panelists included:

• David Barquist
  H. Richard Dietrich, Jr. Curator of American Decorative Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art

• Colin Fanning
  Louis C. Madeira IV Assistant Curator of European Decorative Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art

• Justina Barrett
  Chief Learning and Engagement Officer

• Selena Austin
  Programs and Communications Manager