Ohio Valley Exposition - 1910 - Cincinnati, OH
Purpose: To promote better trade relations with southern states by bringing together "industrial prowess of Ohio Valley" and "commercial strength of South"; to celebrate centenary of steamboat navigation on Ohio River.
Organization: Originally discussed as local exposition, similar to city’s earlier annual industrial fairs, "blossomed ... into enterprise . . . of national reputation and scope" of direct interest to "20 states and 41,000,000 people." Chamber of Commerce led movement; Exposition Company chartered 1908; guarantors subscribed $500,000; modest grants by city and state. Forty railroads helped enlist exhibitors over wide area.
Site, Dates, Attendance: Principally in famed Music Hall, then on banks of Miami-Erie Canal; additional structures erected along canal and in Washington Park. Held Aug. 29- Sept. 24, 1910; attendance almost 1,000,000. Music Hall completely renovated 1954 at cost of $500,000 but canal long since drained and paved over, now Central Parkway.
Participants: Twenty states and "number" of foreign countries, most using facilities of huge Music Hall. Commercial and industrial exhibits exceeded 10,000; many Federal displays included exhibit of Panama Canal, still 5 years from completion, and Mint Exhibit.
Comment: Exposition emphasized manufacturing methods in lieu of mere display of "finished, inanimate objects"; ranged from complete model coal mine to cocoa-producing plant. Orville Wright headed exhibit on aviation; "leading aeronauts of America and Europe" appeared. Sharing spotlight was dedication of Fernbank Dam, part of Federal plan to assure 9-foot water in Ohio River year-round from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Cairo, Ill.; giant river pageant included "every class of craft...from Indian dug-out...to floating river palaces..."
Medals: These were Official Medals struck in Mint Exhibit on grounds; issue quite limited; today medals are rare in all metals. See also Part I, Ohio Valley and Central States Centennial Exposition—1888 and Part II, Cincinnati Fall Festival— 1906.
Obverse: Large sheaf or spray around at l. border; across in 7 lines, The / Ohio Valley / Exposition / Cincinnati / August / September / 1910; beaded border.
Reverse: Full female figure, facing part l.; right arm outstretched holding wreath in r. hand over valley and river; steamboat on river, mountains in background; sheaves of grain and corn at feet of female figure; large sheaf or spray around at l.; above all Ohio Valley; beaded border.
HK-393 - Silver. Size 22.
HK-394 - Copper.
HK-395 - Bronze.
 
Image provided by Jonathan Brecher
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