This small round button is one of the many souvenirs sold to visitors at the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition. This small round pin with the phrase “I WAS THERE” indicates the pin was purchased by a person who attended the exposition. This souvenir is one of the many mementos produced and sold at the Chicago World's Fair. Starting with the 1851 Great Exhibition of London, the succession of world expositions would produce an abundance of souvenirs. Many visitors to these large expositions often purchased mementos as proof of their visit to these events.

Today, people collect souvenirs from the various world fairs which can range from posters, glassware, china, coin banks, buttons, books, programs, coins or tokens, jewelry and more. These objects are not only tangible fragments of the past, but demonstrate a desire to take home a little part of history from a memorable time and place.