Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair showcased Seattle as a space-age city. See photos, brochures, postcards and other items related to Seattle’s 1960s vision of the future.
Washington State electric power ind. sponsor of exhibit of dam working model
Construction of Electric Power Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “In an effort to show how Washington's generous supply of water is harnessed and converted to plentiful, low-cost electric power, the Electric Utilities has constructed a 40-foot dam with six spillways and a 16x24 foot relief man showing the state's principle power dams and a transmissions network between 24 major cities. John Bensen, Manager.” (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 40)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00298
Date: 1962-02-13
View this itemView east from Wash. State Power exhibit; Monorail in center background
View of Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01068
Date: 1962-04-01
View this itemFashion Pavilion: Medal of Honor exhibit
Fashion Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle Worlds Fair). "This pavilion -- through (1) a fashion show area and (2) an exhibit area -- tries to show why Americans are often called the best dressed people in the world. The fashion show, as well as the 4,600-gallon Revlon, Inc. fountain of perfume, changes each month with the advancing season. Vogue Magazine sponsors the show." (Official press book : Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, p. 45.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00404
Date: 1962-09
View this itemAlaska Pavilion; scenic views in exit corridor
The Alaska Pavilion of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The National Bank of Commerce of Washington, which erected the building for Alaska, provides information for visitors interested in the economic development of the 49th state." The Alaska Pavilion featured displays on the social and economic story of Alaska including a projection of the Aurora Borealis on the dome of the pavilion and color photographs of Alaska scenery and landmarks. (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 47.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00029
Date: 1962-10
View this itemChristian Witness Pavillion [i.e. Pavilion]: View West at dusk
Christian Witness Pavilion of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The Christian Witness Pavilion on Friendship Mall serves the dual role of presenting a message of hope for the future and housing the fair's Children's Center. The Children's Center is designed for youngsters from three through seven years old. Educational and entertaining displays and demonstrations provide a Christian atmosphere in which the children can study and play. A professional staff, assisted by volunteers especially trained for the task, supervises the children. The second role of the pavilion is a visual and audio presentation open to all. Visitors walk into a large auditorium where a seven-minute presentation, aided by lighting and sound effects, sets the stage for the Christian message that the only optimism for a world living with a cobalt bomb is in God." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 65)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00185
Date: 1962-08
View this item2 houses in triangle boundet [i.e. bounded] by John Str. - Broad & 100 block of Nob Hill Ave. No.
Future site of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). In 1956, the City of Seattle’s Civic Center Advisory Committee selected land surrounding the existing Civic Auditorium at the foot of Queen Anne Hill for the site of the Century 21 Exposition and a future Civic Center for the city. In 1957, the city acquired the property through condemnation. With a few exceptions, including the Civic Auditorium (which was transformed into the Opera House) and the National Guard Armory (which became the Food Circus), most existing buildings were demolished. This set of photos documents the site before demolition began.
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_00264
Date: 1957-10
View this itemFord Motor Co. Pavilion at Denny & Broad Str. View N.E.
Ford Motor Company Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle Worlds Fair). "Geodesic dome which exhibitor moves about country is surrounded by projecting glued laminated columns and set on interlocking terraces." (An Architect's Guidebook to the Seattle Worlds Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 38).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00477
Date: 1962-04-21
View this itemElvis Presley in "Meet Me at the Fair" a M.G.M. picture; J. Souders; band leader to left
Elvis Presley filming "It happened at the World's Fair" at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "Elvis Presley came to town to make the film It Happened at the World’s Fair. Using the fair as a backdrop for an Elvis movie was actually the brainchild of Governor Albert D. Rosellini, who suggested the idea to studio execs at MGM. They liked the concept, and soon enough The King showed up, turning heads and causing girls to shriek everywhere he went." (Century 21 Exposition (1962): Music at the Fair. HistoryLink.org, http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9367)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00896
Date: 1962-09-14
View this itemView N.E. from British Pavilion
International Plaza, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). “Surrounding the Coliseum is 94,200 sq. ft. of exhibit space in clear span structures of concrete columns and tilt-up walls with a steel joist roof system and metal decking and insulation. The concrete, laid out in a repetitive form which has become the architect's trademark, relieves what might otherwise have become a monotonous perimeter facade.” (An Architect’s Guidebook to the Seattle World’s Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 19)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00951
Date: 1962-07
View this itemCentury 21--the Seattle World's Fair
Article in Data Link, a publication of the Institute of Radio Engineers, describing the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_c21_2771058
Date: 1962
View this item