Sylvia Hamlin collection of photographs of the Century 21 Exposition

Sylvia Hamlin collection of photographs of the Century 21 Exposition, 1962

Overview of the Collection

Collector: Hamlin, Sylvia
Title: Sylvia Hamlin collection of photographs of the Century 21 Exposition
Dates: 1962 (inclusive)
19621962
Quantity: 12 black and white and color photographs (1 folder) ; various sizes
Collection Number: PH0865
Summary: Photographs of grounds and exhibits of the Century 21 Exposition in Seattle in 1962 during the daytime and the evening
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Century 21 Exposition, also known as the Seattle World's Fair, was held from April 21-October 21, 1962 on the grounds of the current Seattle Center. One of the more popular attractions at the Century 21 Exposition was the United States (or Federal) Science Pavilion, also known as the "World of Science" complex, which is featured prominently in this collection. The pavilion was an arrangement of five buildings around an open central space, designed by Minoru Yamasaki in a modernist, space-age- and gothic-inspired style. Visitors to the pavilion saw exhibits on the development and methods of different scientific fields, as well as space devoted to space exploration and the other frontiers of scientific thought and experimentation. The Science Pavilion now houses the Pacific Science Center.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Depicts the grounds and attractions of the Century 21 Exposition in 1962 both during the daytime and the evening. Sites featured include the arches and fountains of the U.S. Science Pavilion complex, the International Fountain, the Space Needle, and the Alweg monorail. Includes one photograph of individual displays of a General Motors concept car and a collection of silver dollars.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donor: Sylvia Hamlin, June 2007.

Processing Note

Processed by Renae Youngs, 2009. Processed by Jordan Grimmer, processing completed 2011.

Accessioned as PH2007-009

Six postcards transferred to the postcard collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Color photographs from night visit, 1962Return to Top

Container(s): Folder 1

Photographs of grounds and exhibits of the exposition in the evening.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Folder	item
1	1	International Fountain at night Written on verso: Looks like a volcano, doesn't it? But very pretty!	1962
1	2	Display of one million silver dollars, housed outside the NW corner of the Food Circus building Written on verso: My first stop of course!!!!	1962
1	3	The Space Needle at night, view from the base Written on verso: Pretty high, huh?	1962
1	4	Mosaic at Century 21 Amphitheater Written on verso: The $50,000 mosaic--.	1962
1	5	Arches outside U.S. Science Pavilion at night Written on verso: The lacy spires of the Space Arks [sic] at night--.	1962
1	6	Fountains inside U.S. Science Pavilion complex at night Written on verso: The pools in the pavillion [sic] sprinkled with fountains--.	1962
1	7	Arches outside the U.S. Science Pavilion at dawn Written on verso: The pavillion [sic] at dawn--.	1962

Black and white photographs from daytime visit, 1962Return to Top

Container(s): Folder 1

Photographs of exposition grounds and nearby buildings.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Folder	item
1	8	View of downtown Seattle from monorail window	1962
1	9	Crowd and arches outside U.S. Science Pavilion	1962
1	10	International Fountain	1962
1	11	Display of General Motors' concept car, prototype Firebird III, in the "World of Century 21", World of Tomorrow building This was a concept car with a turbine engine.	1962
1	12	View of the Space Need from the outside grounds, possibly the corner of 5th Ave and Broad St.	1962

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