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3. The 1893 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago introduced a woman portraying Aunt Jemima
The 1893 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago’s specially built Great White City officially opened on October 21, 1892, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the New World. It didn’t open to the public until May 1 of the following year, as many of the buildings and displays weren’t ready until then. During the months of preparation for the event, Davis Milling executives learned of several competing products planning displays and demonstrations at the exhibition. Among them were Cream of Wheat, Shredded Wheat, and Quaker Oats. Also included in the exhibits was a display and demonstration of the first all-electric kitchen. Davis Mills decided they needed to be included.
Davis Mills erected a display in the form of a giant flour barrel, advertising Aunt Jemima’s Pancakes in large letters on its staves. But the centerpiece of the display as envisioned by Davis was Aunt Jemima herself, telling stories, singing, dancing, and most importantly demonstrating the ease of making pancakes using her flour. A backstory emerged for her history, including her being born on a Louisiana plantation, owned by Colonel Higbee. As his cook, she developed her own “secret recipe” for her pancakes, which became famous as the best in the South. Storyline and display in place, Davis needed someone to portray the character. Casting calls went out for actresses to audition for the role of Aunt Jemima.