Research & Article

The Siam Exhibit at the Centennal Exposition in Philadelphia was hailed as one of the most spectacular in the entire Exposition, and yet the activities of a misled Amercian diplomat nearly prevented its departure from Bangkok. By examining the events surrounding the creation of the exhibit and the disastrous delay in its journey to Philadelphia we can learn much about early U.S.-Siam diplomatic relations, and relationships between the Siamese Court, the Christian missionary community, and the diplomatic community in 19th century Bangkok.