A Parisienne in Chicago
Auditorium
‘The Columbian Exposition Dedicatory Ceremonies – The Grand Reception and Ball in the Hall of the Auditorium,” drawn by B. West Clinedinst, in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, 3 November 1892, 309.
The Auditorium Building, a multi-use structure that at the time of the exposition encompassed a theater, ballroom, hotel, and numerous businesses, was designed by Adler and Sullivan and attracted the attention of many foreign visitors.
“…we were invited to a sumptuous ball at The Auditorium given by officials of the city of Chicago and of the exposition for American and foreign representatives…Inside, the theater had the sumptuous appearance e of an official gala, whether in Chicago or Paris. Lush flowers, green plants, and velvet wall hangings decorated the long marble staircases; bright lights shimmered in the mirrors and in the polished gold décor; military uniforms decorated with shiny metals and colorful ribbons stood out against black tuxedoes pinned with boutonnieres, and the ladies’ ravishing gowns were literally blinding with their sparkling constellations of precious stones and diamonds…The loges were draped with garlands of roses and lilacs, and on the parquet floor below, couples waltzed and did the Boston with charming grace. I was struck by how different the ambiance was from our stiff, formal balls in France. As I have already said, Americans truly enjoy dancing and this gave a sense of true pleasure to the party which is not the case with French balls.” (57)
