Another key figure in the Jewish community who left his mark on the 1904 World’s Fair was Rabbi Leon Harrison of Temple Israel. Known as a powerful speaker, Harrison was chosen to deliver the Thanksgiving oration at Festival Hall, one of the Fair’s most prominent venues, which stood in front of what is now the St. Louis Art Museum.
The 1904 World’s Fair was a monumental event for St. Louis, showcasing advancements in technology, culture and innovation from around the world. Yet, beyond the major exhibits and global fanfare, the Jewish community played a remarkable, often overlooked, role in shaping the Fair’s legacy.
In April, the Jewish Light published “Honoring the Forgotten Jewish Legacy at the 1904 World’s Fair“ to coincide with the opening of a new exhibit on the Fair at the Missouri History Museum. That article showcased key contributions from the Jewish community, such as the first public debut of the Zionist flag and the involvement of prominent Jewish figures on the Fair’s Board of Directors. However, as we soon learned from historian and longtime St. Louis tour guide Linda Koenig, this was just the beginning of the story.
Koenig, founder of Gateway Tours, has spent over 25 years leading tours that bring the history of St. Louis and its Jewish heritage to life. She is also an expert on the 1904 World’s Fair. Not only has she spent decades unearthing stories, she’s also an avid collector of historical artifacts tied to the Fair. When she reached out after the article, she told us, “There’s so much more to the story,” and we quickly realized that we had only scratched the surface of the Jewish legacy at the Fair.
Nathan Frank: A champion for St. Louis and the 1904 World’s Fair
Among the influential Jewish figures at the Fair, Nathan Frank stands out not only as a member of the board of directors but also as a crucial player on the executive committee. Frank, who served as a U.S. Congressman from 1888 to 1890, was instrumental in lobbying Congress to bring the World’s Fair to St. Louis. His dedication to the city did not end with the Fair.
“Nathan Frank was the first major donor to Forest Park,” Koenig explained during our conversation. “In 1927, he gave $25,000, which led to the construction of the bandstand in the center of the lake, right in front of the Muny, now named in his honor.”
While Frank focused on infrastructure, other figures like Rabbi Leon Harrison left their mark in the Fair’s cultural life.
Rabbi Leon Harrison: A powerful voice at the fair
“He was chosen to give the Thanksgiving oration at Festival Hall, which seated 3,000 people, and John Philip Sousa was the band leader. It was a significant moment at the Fair,” Koenig explained. “The Thanksgiving oration was more than just a speech; it was an opportunity for the Jewish community to be represented at a pivotal cultural event. Rabbi Harrison’s selection for this role highlighted the respect and recognition he garnered not only within the Jewish community but across St. Louis as a whole.”
The old city of Jerusalem
One of the most ambitious exhibits at the 1904 World’s Fair was the recreation of the Old City of Jerusalem. Spanning 13 acres just west of the Art Museum, this exhibit aimed to transport visitors to the heart of the Holy Land, complete with reproductions of the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visitors could wander through a walled city, encountering native inhabitants riding camels and exploring the ancient streets.
“The single largest exhibit at the Fair was the Old City of Jerusalem. But despite its grandeur, even though it was the Old City of Jerusalem, it did not have a Jewish flavor to it,” Koenig pointed out. “This absence raises questions about how Jewish culture and history were perceived and presented at the time.”
Rosa Sonneschein: A visionary for Jewish women
Rosa Sonneschein was an extraordinary woman of her time, an advocate for women’s rights, and an influential figure in both Jewish and American society. Born in Austria, she moved to St. Louis in 1869 when her husband, Rabbi Solomon Sonneschein, became the first rabbi at Congregation Shaare Emeth. She was outspoken about expanding Jewish women’s roles in synagogues and supported the creation of an independent Jewish nation, ideas that were ahead of her time.
In 1895, Rosa Sonneschein founded The American Jewess, the first English-language magazine for Jewish women in the United States. This publication served as a platform for discussing progressive issues, such as women’s suffrage, Jewish education and social justice, elevating Rosa as a pioneer for both Jewish women and the wider community. During the 1904 World’s Fair, she ran a practical yet innovative concession stand, offering folding chairs to tired fairgoers for just a nickel.
“Fairgoers could drop a coin in a slot, and the chair would unfold, offering them a much-needed rest,” Koenig explained. “Rosa’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her vision for social progress, made her a true legend of St. Louis.”
Rabbi Adolph Rosentrater: A personal connection to the Fair
Rabbi Adolph Rosentrater of Congregation B’nai Amoona is another figure with a deep personal connection to the 1904 World’s Fair. After the death of his first wife in 1903, Rosentrater found love again during the Fair when he met Eva Gottschalk, a visitor from Berlin. The two married the following year. In a touching final chapter to his story, Rosentrater was laid to rest between his two wives at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, a testament to the unique intersections of personal and public life that the Fair fostered.
Miscellaneous Jewish Contributions and Anecdotes
Beyond these major figures and exhibits, the 1904 World’s Fair was also shaped by smaller but equally fascinating Jewish contributions. For instance, the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) on Pine Street played a practical role in accommodating the throngs of visitors to the Fair.
“The YMHA rented beds at its facility for $1 per night to weary fairgoers,” Koenig recounted, adding another layer to the ways in which the Jewish community supported the Fair.
David R. Francis and St. Louis Jewish Hospital
Finally, it’s worth noting the involvement of David R. Francis, the non-Jewish president of the 1904 World’s Fair, in the dedication of the old St. Louis Jewish Hospital in 1903.
“David R. Francis gave the main address at the 1903 dedication of the old St. Louis Jewish Hospital,” Koenig noted. “This event occurred prior to his leadership at the Fair but shows the strong ties between the broader St. Louis community and its Jewish members.”
Together, all of these untold stories of Jewish contributions to the 1904 World’s Fair reveal a true legacy of cultural and civic leadership. From infrastructure to religious representation, these figures played pivotal roles in shaping not only the Fair but also the future of St. Louis, leaving a lasting impact that endures today.
What: The Missouri History Museum’s “1904 World’s Fair” exhibit
When: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, 63112
More Info: Visit them online at mohistory.org
