Century 21 Digital Collection
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.
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Sweden Pavilion; Gun from warship Vasa sunk Aug. 10, 1628 in Stockholm harbor
Sweden Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “Sweden’s three main products, steel, wood and glass are shown throughout the pavilion with a special 2 1/2 ton glass wall and a modern wood relief as two of the main displays. Also shown are relics of the VASA, a 17th century Swedish man-of-war that sunk on its maiden voyage and was only raised last year. Visitors can see many Swedish handicrafts. Mr. Reisbeck, Manager” (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 37)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00968
Date: 1962-09
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A National Aeronautical [i.e. Aeronautics and] Space Administration exhibit
NASA Exhibit, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair): “Graphically outlining the national space program with a variety of models and displays, the N.A.S.A. augments the exhibit with lectures on phases of space flight. In addition to a Saturn rocket model, there is also displayed several successfully launched rocket payloads, rocket engines, and a full-scale Mercury spacecraft. Harry DeVoto, Mgr.” (Official press book : Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, p. 41.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00737
Date: 1962-06-03
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U.S. Science Pavilion; Ankle deep mud is after rain feature
United States Science Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair). “The lacy pattern of this six-unit complex placed around a central court with its 100-ft. high arches is in decided contrast to the forcefulness of Coliseum 21. In a sense, the pavilion is a salute to concrete, for it is believed to represent the largest single use of precast and prestressed structural components in the nation.” (An Architect’s Guidebook to the Seattle World’s Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 21)
Identifier: spl_wl_sec_01632
Date: 1962-02-13
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View N.E. of Commerce Pavilion
Interiors, Fashion, and Commerce Pavilion of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). <br><br> “Architecturally speaking, this exhibit building appears to be a candidate as one of the most successful on the fairgrounds. It is far from being spectacular, but as an understatement fulfills several objectives. <br><br> “First and foremost, the structure in its simple form and neutral color scheme (white and shades of gray)provides an appropriate backdrop for the fashions, fabrics and other displays it will house, rather than competes with them. The long horizontal lines create an effective foil for the sharp vertical of the adjacent Space Needle; and the roof, in particular, helps to contain a triangular area which is rather disorganized in its plan. The sloping site permits three ceiling gradients by dropping the floor levels. <br><br> “Precast concrete columns support prebuilt steel joists and girders. Cement stucco containing selected chips from an eastern Washington quarry make up the fascia and walls. The poured-in-place concrete bulkhead gets its pattern from the wood inserts used in the forming and provides the contraction jointing.” (An Architect’s Guidebook to the Seattle World’s Fair. Seattle, Pacific Builder and Engineer, April 1962, p. 31)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00155
Date: 1962-09
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View N.E. in Show Str. N.E. corner of fairground
Show Street was the "adult entertainment" section of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair)."With a thought that a sample of the best of everything belongs at a World's Fair, the northeast corner of the Fairgrounds is devoted to adult entertainment. This area is called Show Street U.S.A. Show Street offers food and drink, exciting show girls, the natural and the unusual. It's a great place to spend an evening…GRACIE HANSEN’S PARADISE INTERNATIONAL -- A lush dinner club featuring a Las Vegas type show put together by Barry Ashton. The entire operation is labeled ‘excellent’ by everyone who goes there.” (Official press book : Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, p. 60.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00865
Date: 1962-04-21
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Lunch time; View is North on Third Av. North; Armory is to right
Construction, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "Close to the center of the fairgrounds is the Food Circus, a great bustling eaters' delight. Ranged about the vast floor are 52 concessions, all producing food in its manifold phases." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 137.) The building was constructed in 1938 as the Washington National Guard Armory (Architects: Floyd A. Naramore and Arrigo M. Young) and was transformed into the Food Circus for the Century 21 Exposition (Architects: Durham, Anderson, and Freed).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00310
Date: 1962-03-07
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View N.W. of Blvd. East and fairground beyond
View of Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_01079
Date: 1962-09
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U.S. Science Pavilion; Bronze forms by Charles W. Smith, Bellevue
Fine Arts exhibition at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The Fine Arts exhibition at the Seattle World's Fair is the finest and most extensive collection of painting, sculpture and art objects ever gathered in the West." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 88.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00047
Date: 1962-06-03
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Interior of Gas Industry Pavilion
American Gas Association Pavilion, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). "The pillars supporting the roof of the Gas Pavilion, on Boulevard 21, double as natural gas torches. In the center of the pavilion is a gas-dial clock. Underneath the serrated roof is a graphic report on the uses of natural gas today and a projection of its uses in the year 2001. The educational exhibit explains the sources, processing, by-products and distribution of gas from early Greek times to the present. Time is told on the roof-top clock by the number of torches burning, while the hours are struck by bursts of flame from the central pillar. Ninety-one gas distribution companies are sponsoring the exhibit." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 45.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00495
Date: 1962-05-13
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Oregon State Pavilion; interior view
"The Boulevards of the World area is the shopping center of the fair. Stores, stands and kiosks displaying the goods and gifts of a dozen nations line the gay and colorful thoroughfares that tie the five theme Worlds of Century 21 together." (Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Acme Publications. p. 119.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00750
Date: 1962-07
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