FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Exhibit about 1876 Centennial Exhibition to Open During 250th Anniversary

PHILADELPHIA (April 2, 2026) — A new exhibition highlighting Philadelphia’s historic hosting of the 1876 World’s Fair will be on view starting this summer, just in time for the Semiquincentennial celebrations taking place citywide, the Center City District Foundation announced today.

Revisit 1876, a free exhibit, will debut in late June at the Lits Building at 8th and Market streets and remain on view through November.

Philadelphia made history by hosting the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the first World’s Fair in North America, attracting more than 10 million visitors from 37 countries — at a time when the U.S. population was only 46 million.

Revisit 1876 invites guests to explore the sights, stories and spirit of 1876, connecting images and objects to Philadelphia’s current destinations. The exhibition’s four large pavilions will simulate some of the Centennial’s major buildings that displayed a giant Corliss steam engine, Philadelphia-made Baldwin locomotives, scores of farming and factory machinery, new consumer products like the typewriter, Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone, locally manufactured toys, popcorn and root beer. Revisit 1876 also explores stories about the first women’s pavilion at a World’s Fair, the introduction of international cuisine, and racial and ethnic inclusion and exclusion at the time.

The exhibition also provides information about the birth of Philadelphia’s tourism industry and where visitors today can find remaining components of the Centennial Exhibition as they explore the city. For example, The Franklin Institute’s collection includes a Baldwin locomotive and the Please Touch Museum, located in Memorial Hall, built as the original art museum, displays a huge model of the fairgrounds, as well as a life-size Statue of Liberty’s arm recreated entirely from toys. In 1876, World’s Fair visitors could climb into the actual arm of the Statue of Liberty, displayed to fundraise for the full monument, but not completed for another decade.

“Our goal is to Revisit 1876, but also invite visitors, residents and families to explore destinations today that directly connect to the Centennial Exhibition. As we celebrate our 250th, we invite guests to look back and forward for a deeper understanding of today's challenges and opportunities,” said Paul R. Levy, executive director of the Center City District Foundation, who has overseen the development of Revisit 1876.

The exhibit is designed by Drexel University’s Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships, IS Architects and Art Guild. Space for the exhibit is being donated by Brickstone Realty, owner of the Lits Building and is happening alongside a variety of improvements on Market Street East. Major funding for the exhibit is provided by the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the 250th, the Connelly Foundation, the Aker Family Charitable Trust, Brickstone Realty, Five Below, Philadelphia Parking Authority, local businesses, residents and building trades. Additional donations to support exhibit operations can be made at supportccdf.org.

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Center City District Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that supports initiatives that improve the quality of life and make downtown Philadelphia unique and engaging. Find us at www.supportccdf.org.

Center City District, partner to property owners and downtown stakeholders, is the steward and advocate for a clean, safe and thriving Center City Philadelphia. Find us at www.centercityphila.org.