Dedication Day
- The first major deadline for Burnham is Dedication Day, scheduled for October 21, 1892.
- Major figures all want a piece of Olmsted's island, including Theodore Roosevelt, then head of the U.S. Civil Service Commission. He wants the island to exhibit his hunting camp, but others want it for exotic villages.
- The fair's official director of color, William Pretyman, is unable to attend the meeting where Burnham decides to paint all the buildings white. Pretyman is pretty upset, but Burnham reassures him, "The decision is mine" (2.7.35).
- The executive committee names Burnham director of works, or basically chief of everything.
- Burnham is just about ready to give up on surpassing Eiffel's tower when a young steel engineer figures he can rise to the challenge.
- The Ways and Means Committee at first says yes to his proposal, but then quickly changes their minds. Too risky.
- Dedication Day comes and goes, complete with a parade and endless speeches.
- Unfortunately for Burnham, many of the buildings are still incomplete.