For the last MOHAI Discovering AYPE Seminar, I wrote a brief summary of my project.

Boomer and Boosters

Chicago Day at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition

AYPE was an exciting celebration. So why was the extremely boring “Chicago Association of Commerce Day” slipped into the first week? In the portrait taken that day, who were the men photographed on the steps of the Forestry building?

The Chicago Association of Commerce was only five years old, but had already become perhaps the most influential urban commercial club in America. Two score of their members took 17 days out of their busy schedule to tour the trade centers along rail lines to and from AYPE. In Seattle, the now-forgotten Seattle Chicago Club formed to prepare for the three day visit and the day at the fair in particular. The club escorted CAC on a motor tour and hosted an evening party. Five journalists in the excursion party were entertained by the Seattle Press Club. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce threw a farewell banquet, hoping Seattle had left the impression it was ready to partner with Chicago. The businessmen returned home enthusiastic about the opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, and emboldened in their plans to unite commercial clubs across the nation.

- I would like identify more of the men in the photographs.

- I would love a few primary resources for the individuals.