ATWOOD. Museum of Science and Industry

From Swamp to Fine Art in 18 Months

Charles Atwood began sketches for the Fine Arts Building at the Columbian Exposition in April of 1891.  18 months later this dome capped the rotunda.  Daniel Burnham took a tremendous leap of faith in hiring Atwood to replace John Root as the Fair's design consultant.  With no time for a personnel mistake.  Daniel Burnham's reputation (not to mention the City of Chicago's) relied heavily on the right decision. 

Burnham's capacity for "right decisions" stuck with him throughout his career.  Root.  Atwood.  Dinkelberg. Anderson. Bennett.   Burnham always, somehow, chose the right designer for the right time.

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