Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item No little plans: making and breaking the 1992 Chicago World's Fair(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Coletta, Sarah Louise; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Robert RydellThis dissertation analyzes the failed 1992 Chicago World's Fair through several lenses in order to explore four separate but connected processes: planning and designing a large urban fair, protesting that fair, and creating an archive. In doing so, I highlight the fact that all events are historically contingent, undermining the idea that events are the result of inexorable historical processes. The case of the 1992 Chicago Fair provides an opportunity to glimpse a historical process suspended in time: there is not a satisfying conclusion to a fair that didn't happen, but there are both memories and a sizable archive. The planning and design chapters focus on how the fair planners made decisions, and on how they worked both with and against city and state governments as well as the Bureau of International Expositions. Using newspapers and documents culled from several archives as well as the official depository for fair materials, the Chicago History Museum, this narrative reveals the many missteps of the fair planners, and points to several specific factors that contributed to the fair's failure. The protest chapter adds to the growing analysis of protest movements in the 1980s, and situates the protestors' strategies in the social and political contexts of Chicago. The last chapter looks at the archive of the archivist. Archivist Evelyn Wilbanks' personal papers regarding the fair are also housed at the Chicago History Museum, and reading them leads to an investigation of the place of the archivist in the production of history.Item Gallatin County Fairgrounds redevelopment(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1968) Smith, Gaylord VardItem Exhibition facility : Gallatin County fairgrounds(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1980) Donham, James L.Item Perception and architecture(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1980) Bibler, Ron R.Item Exhibiting the possibilities : the Montana State Fair(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 1997) Edwards, Douglas Michael; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mary MurphyThis thesis analyzes the history of the Montana State Fair between 1903, its inaugural season, and 1917, the last season before the First World War altered the institution's mission. It begins by looking at the origins of the event, calling attention to early agricultural fairs in Montana then emphasizing the influence of the state's participation in several nineteenth-century world's fairs. The growth of the fair and its utilization as a promotional vehicle is discussed in detail. In the process, the improvement of the grounds and the rising popularity of the event are explored. Then the thesis highlights the role of the fair as an educational institution designed to guide the course of Montana's agricultural development. Particular attention is given to the manner in which the event served to encourage Montanans to embrace the emerging social and economic order of an incorporated America. The final chapter discusses the declining influence and eventual death of the state fair in 1933. In sum, this thesis argues that for a decade and a half the Montana State Fair existed as a central state institution, one that fostered the development of the state's natural resources and familiarized Montanans with the mass of inventions and ideas profoundly altering American society at the turn of the century. In the process it challenges popular images of so-called agricultural fairs and illuminates a side of these events not heretofore unveiled by scholars.Item The utilization of fairgrounds, past, present, and future in five western states(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2005) Shockley, Andrea Erin; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van Shelhamer.A written survey instrument was designed and distributed to determine the utilization of fairgrounds, past, present, and future in five western states (Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, & Wyoming). Better stated as a question, what was, is, and will be the importance of fairgrounds? Six hundred twenty-two surveys were sent out to Fair/grounds Managers, County Extension Agents, County Commissioners, and fair board members within the five state region. One hundred thirteen surveys were returned. All responses were entered into Microsoft Excel ® and analyzed to determine how many respondents out of the one hundred thirteen answered each question for each particular answer choice. Although answers varied greatly for many of the questions asked and many respondents chose to comment where they could, those comments were mostly positive and the outlook for fairgrounds is positive. Many of the respondents indicated great community support and the demand for more events and more diversity in events. Even those counties having a decline in their population indicated strong support. Most fairgrounds are still county owned and operated, however financial support is changing as support increases and facilities improve. Many respondents indicated a want and need to improve structures and facilities and also included many comments about what has already been done or what improvements are planned for the future. One use of fairgrounds that has thus far been underutilized, from survey response, is the exploitation of fairgrounds as part of county disaster plans. The respondents also indicated that although not many of them are using the fairgrounds right now as part of such a plan, it would be feasible for the grounds to be used as part of a disaster plan. As fairgrounds continue to improve and expand events the community support will continue to grow as long as those involved with the fairgrounds keep a positive outlook at changing with the times.