-White City Pail- still bank 1893

The White City Pail still bank, created by Nicol and Co. in 1893, is a poignant artifact reflecting the dreams and disparities of its time. This unassuming metal pail bank is a symbol of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, an event known as the "White City." The fair was a spectacle of progress and innovation, yet it stood in stark contrast to the social realities of the era. While it celebrated industrial advancements and global unity, it largely excluded the contributions and experiences of marginalized communities, particularly African Americans and Indigenous peoples. This little bank, intended for saving, echoes the aspirations of a burgeoning middle class, while subtly reminding us of the economic divides that persisted. Whose dreams were being saved for? Whose were being left behind? The 'White City' was a promise, but for whom was that promise truly meant? This object quietly challenges us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out of the grand narratives of history.