Pauline Brunner Collection on the Century 21 Exposition, 1961-1982

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Brunner, Pauline
Title
Pauline Brunner Collection on the Century 21 Exposition
Dates
1961-1982 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 boxes and 4 scrapbooks, (5.5 cubic feet)
Collection Number
1984.94
Summary
Materials documenting the Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition)
Repository
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Languages
English.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Pauline Brunner (born Pauline Dee Luce, also called Paula) was a Seattle area teenager when the Century 21 Exposition opened in 1962. The following year, at age 15, she constructed four large scrapbooks with an extensive collection of memorabilia that documents the Seattle World’s Fair.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of hand-made scrapbooks, exhibit brochures, newspapers, fair schedules, pamphlets and other memorabilia documenting the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair.) The four scrapbooks contain photographs, tickets, postcards, and other souvenirs, as well as an extensive collection of local newspaper clippings that cover the fair from the planning and construction stages to the closing on October 21, 1962.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

In the early 1960’s, thrilled Seattle residents watched in fascination as their city was transformed in preparation for the opening of the Century 21 Exposition on April 21, 1962. Excited news stories and dramatic photographs of construction projects dominated the local press, becoming visible assets for marketing the relatively unknown city of Seattle to the rest of the country. More celebrities and dignitaries than Seattle had ever seen traveled to the Northwest to promote and attend the fair. When the gates opened at last, the throngs included thousands of proud local residents eager to see the exhibits, ride the Monorail and view their city from the top of the Space Needle.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Pauline Brunner Collection on the Century 21 Exposition, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged in 4 series:

  • Scrapbooks, 1962
  • Century 21 exhibit brochures, fliers and booklets, 1962
  • Century 21 press coverage, 1961-1982
  • Miscellaneous

Location of Collection

2a.3.8 (Boxes 1 and 2)

Location of Collection

12a.4.25 (Box 3)

Location of Collection

12a.4.22-23 (Scrapbooks)

Acquisition Information

Gift of Pauline Brunner; received in August 1984.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Scrapbooks, 1961-1962Return to Top

4 scrapbooks each 16 x 20 inches

Varnished wood, metal-hinged scrapbooks, each hand painted on the cover in green lettering with title of scrapbook.

Description Dates
1984.94.26: "Century 21 Under Construction #1"
66 pages
The first page of the scrapbook contains an inscription from Joseph P. Gandy to Miss Pauline Luce, dated August 31, 1962, complimenting her dedication and effort in compiling a detailed record of the Seattle World’s Fair and suggesting she donate the scrapbooks to the Seattle Historical and Industrial Museum. This scrapbook consists primarily of Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer articles arranged in chronological order. Newspaper photographs and articles document the early phases of construction projects including the Space Needle, Monorail and Washington Sate Coliseum. Other local news articles relate to World’s Fair development, planning, marketing and scheduling.
1961 October - 1962 March
1984.94.27: "Century 21 Under Construction #2"
65 pages
This scrapbook contains Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer articles arranged in chronological order documenting the final construction phase of various projects. Articles and photographs also document celebrity and dignitary visits to Seattle in advance of the fair, as well as descriptions of planned exhibits, entertainments and promotional events.
1962 March - April
1984.94.28: "Century 21 #1"
73 pages
The first pages of the scrapbook contain color and black and white photographs of a family visit to the fair, ticket packets for general admission and Gayway amusement rides, exhibit brochures, various small paper souvenirs and entertainment programs. The remainder of the scrapbook contains Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper articles in chronological order documenting local news related to the fair, including special events, exhibits and celebrity visits.
1962 April - July
1984.94.29: "Century 21 #2"
64 pages
Folded graph paper chart is attached to the inside front cover and titled: Attendance at the Seattle World’s Fair, Pauline Luce. A bar chart is hand drawn in pencil and shows attendance numbers for each day of the fair, with notations. The first pages of the scrapbook contain exhibit brochures, a placemat, tickets, booklets, souvenirs and fliers. The first page contains a small photo booth snapshot of two girls with the caption "Seattle World’s Fair." The remainder of the scrapbook contains Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper articles in chronological order documenting events at the fair and other news of local interest relating to the fair after closing.
1962 July - December

Century 21 exhibit brochures, fliers and booklets, 1962Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
1984.94.2: Arizona tourist and real estate information
11 items
brochures and booklets
1962
1/2
1984.94.3: Peace Corps information
6 items
brochures
1962
1/3
1984.94.4: Cancer research, smoking facts, dentistry career information
10 items
brochures and booklets
1962
1/4
1984.94.5: United Nations, Palestinians, UNICEF and UNESCO
10 items
brochures
1962
1/5
1984.94.6: Tourist information on Disneyland, Missouri, Florida, Oregon
7 items
brochures and booklets
1962
1/6
1984.94.7: World's Fair and Northwest travel information
16 items
brochures, articles, maps and booklets
1962
1/7
1984.94.8: India Pavilion
2 items
Booklets
Includes Exhibitor's List
1962
1/8
1984.94.9: Brazil exhibit
9 items
brochures and booklets
1962
1/9
1984.94.10: Mexico exhibit
4 items
brochures
Includes New York Times supplement on business and travel in Mexico
1962
1/10
1984.94.11: Denmark exhibit
2 items
brochures
1962
1/11
1984.94.12: Great Britain exhibit
3 items
brochures
1962
1/12
1984.94.13: IBM exhibit
4 items
brochures
Includes computer line printing example.
1962
1/13
1984.94.14: Christian Witness Pavilion
3 items
brochures
1962
1/14
1984.94.15: Japanese Pavilion
3 items
brochures
Includes brochure on U.S. Naugahyde
1962
1/15
1984.94.16: European Community Common Market
3 items
brochures and booklets
1962
1/16
1984.94.17: Berlin exhibit
2 items
brochures
Includes folded map.
1962
1/17
1984.94.18: Canada exhibit
2 items
brochures
1962
1/18
1984.94.19: Alaska exhibit
3 items
brochures
1962
1/19
1984.94.20: France, United Arab Republic, Taiwan, Korea
4 items
brochures
1962
1/20
1984.94.21: Products, services and companies exhibited at Century 21 Exposition
26 items
brochures
1962

Century 21 press coverage , 1961-1982Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
2
1984.94.1: Newspaper articles, magazines, and special issues commemorating the Century 21 Exposition
11 items
1972-1982
2
1984.94.23: Calendars of Events
31 items
Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer weekly supplements
1962
3
1984.94.24: Seattle Times World's Fair Souvenir Edition
2 copies
1962 April 8
3
1984.94.25: Seattle Post-Intelligencer World's Fair Special Edition
2 copies
1962 March 25

MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/21
1984.94.22a: Official Guide Book, Seattle World's Fair
91 pages
1962
1/21
1984.94.22b: Postcard
2 postcards
Two postcards showing the Space Needle, one showing aerial view of fair grounds
1962
1/21
1984.94.22c: Adult admission ticket for Expo 74 World's Fair, Spokane
The Expo took place May 4 through November 3, 1974
1974
1/21
1984.94.22d: Coaster with Century 21 logo and illustration of fairgrounds
1962

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, Wash.)
  • Exhibitions--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Fairs–Washington (State)–Seattle

Geographical Names

  • United States–Washington (State)–Seattle

Form or Genre Terms

  • Ephemera
  • Souvenirs
  • Leaflets
  • Newspapers
  • Pamphlets
  • Photographic postcards
  • Scrapbooks
  • Tickets