In 1890 the U.S. Congress created a World's Columbian Commission to organize the celebration for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus which would occur in 1893. The World's Columbian Exposition, to be held in Chicago, was to feature international exhibits of the arts, industries, and manufacturers. The Montana Legislative Assembly passed an act in March 1891, "to provide for the collection, arrangement and display of the products of the state of Montana at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, and to make appropriation therefore." Members of the Board of World's Fair Managers of the State of Montana were appointed by the governor. L.H. Hershfield, Dr. A.H. Mitchell, B.F. White, and T.E. Collins represented Montana on the Exposition's national committee. The state Board was composed of Walter M. Bickford, executive commissioner; Stephen DeWolf, president; Allan R. Joy, vice president; David G. Browne, treasurer; and James G. Ramsay, secretary. Other members included Philip Lovell, C.R. Middleton, A.J. Stephens, Thomas Joyes, Dr. D.A. Pease, H.O. Chowen, George W. Morse, W.M. Nevitt, A.J. Davidson, W.H. Sutherlin, and George M. Hayes. In addition to this group, Montana also had a committee of Lady Managers which included Mrs. R.B. Harrison, Eliza A. Rickards, Clara L. McAdow, Laura E. Howey, and Mariam D. Cooper.

The Board organized the planning for the Exposition by creating committees including mines and mining, agriculture, livestock, building and building material, auditing, ladies department, statistics, rules and bylaws, and education. Efforts were made to create county organizations to plan and develop exhibits best illustrating the resources and products of the area. One goal for the exhibits was to attract people to Montana for settlement. The Montana State Building in Chicago's Jackson Park housed many exhibits from Montana although items were exhibited in other facilities such as the Mines and Mining Building, the Women's Building, etc. Montana also sent a silver statue representing Liberty to illustrate the mineral wealth of the state. The Board worked closely with the World's Columbian Commission and was required to adhere to rules concerning structures, spacing, and quality of exhibits created by the Commission. The Board completed its work in 1894.