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.
Elvis 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 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 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 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 itemView S.E. from U.S. Science Bldg. balcony on Denny Way
Construction, Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00309
Date: 1962-03-11
View this itemView so. of U.S. Science Pavilion arches
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_exp_01078
Date: 1962-05-13
View this itemChristian Science Pavilion east of Space Needle
Christian Science Pavilion of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair), sponsored by the Churches of Christ, Scientist, in Washington State. "The story of Christian Science and the founding of its church by Mary Baker Eddy nearly 100 years ago are offered in this exhibit of an established world-wide religion. The purpose of the display is to show how the rules of Christianity may be utilized today--and tomorrow--in solving all kinds of human problems. Joseph Elsom, Mgr." (Official press book: Seattle World's Fair 1962. Seattle: Century 21 Exposition, 1962, p. 39.)
Identifier: spl_wl_exp_00191
Date: 1962-05-19
View this itemU.S. Post Office; Space Needle; Wash. View west on 2nd Av. No.; North of Thomas Str.
Space Needle Post Office on Boulevards of the World, 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_00804
Date: 1962-04-28
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_00402
Date: 1962-09
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