Stereoview from the 1895 Cotton States and International Exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia

According to the Library of Congress, "The 1895 Cotton States and International Exhibition was held at the current Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Nearly 80,000 visitors attended the event. The exposition was designed to promote the region to the world and showcase products and new technologies as well as to encourage trade with Latin America. The goal was to showcase the economic progress of the South since the Civil War, and attract investors to the region. The Cotton States and International Exhibition featured exhibits from several states including various innovations in agriculture and technology.

Although, the event is best remembered today for the Atlanta Compromise speech given by Booker T. Washington (ca. 1856-1915) on September 18, 1895, before a predominantly white audience. The speech laid the foundation for the Atlanta Compromise, an agreement between African-American leaders and Southern white leaders in which Southern blacks would work with white political rules, while southern whites guaranteed that blacks would receive basic education and would be treated equally in accordance with the law. Washington's speech is considered to be one of the most important and influential speeches in American history."

While recently studying a group of nineteenth century stereoviews, I came across this card from the Atlanta Exposition, which shows an African-American man standing behind a selection of pottery. The objects include busts, vases and tiles, as well as a variety of art hanging on the wall, along with other objects.

This image was captured by Benjamin W. Kilburn (1827-1909), an American photographer from Littleton, New Hampshire who is likely most known today for his landscape views of national parks in America and Canada. But he is also known for his images of migrants coming to America in the late-nineteenth century.

Unfortunately, I have not found any further information that identifies the man pictured in this stereoview; however, he may be a vendor, and he may also be the artist responsible for the creation of some of these pieces.

Stereoview from the 1895 Cotton States and International Exhibition

Stereoview from the 1895 Cotton States and International Exhibition in Atlanta, GA

Image Shows an African-American Man with an Assortment of Pottery

Image Taken by B.W. Kilburn and Published in 1896

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress

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