Paulla Upjohn Collection on the Seattle World's Fair Hospitality Committee, 1962
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
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Biographical Note
- Historical Background
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
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Detailed Description of the Collection
- 2002.28.1: Seattle World’s Fair Civic Appreciation Ceremony program booklet, 1962 April 19
- 2002.28.2: Paulla Upjohn’s signed season ticket to the fair, 1962
- 2002.28.3: “Seattle Worlds’ Fair Background Information”, 1962
- 2002.28.4: "Adventure in Hospitality Land," the Hospitality Committee for the Performing Arts Summary Report, 1962 October 18
- 2002.28.5: Hospitality Committee scrapbook, 1962
- 2002.28.6: Ticket to Opening Night event, “Night in Paradise”, 1962 April 21
- 2002.28.7: Ticket to the Cinerama 360 premier of “Journey to the Stars”, 1962
- 2002.28.8: Scrapbook pages with newspaper clippings about the S.S. Yarmouth, the World’s Fair cruise ship, 1962
- 2002.28.9: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings and correspondence, 1962 April
- 2002.28.10: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings., 1962 May
- 2002.28.11: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clipping, correspondence and photographs, 1962 June
- 2002.28.12: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings and photograph, 1962 July
- 2002.28.13: Upjohn’s personal calendar scrapbook, including newspaper clippings, 1962 August
- 2002.28.14: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings, 1962 September
- 2002.28.15: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings, 1962 October
- 2002.28.16: Correspondence to Upjohn from Harold Shaw, Director of Performing Arts, and Madeline Sayers, Hospitality Committee Chairman., 1962
- Names and Subjects
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Upjohn, Paulla Paris
- Title
- Paulla Upjohn Collection on the Seattle World's Fair Hospitality Committee
- Dates
- 1962 (inclusive)19621962
- Quantity
- 1 box, (.21 cubic feet)
- Collection Number
- 2002.28 (accession)
- Summary
- Materials relating to the Hospitality Committee and the Seattle World’s Fair including scrapbook pages, clippings, personal calendars, photographs, booklets and correspondence
- Repository
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Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org - Access Restrictions
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The collection is open to the public by appointment.
- Languages
- English.
Biographical Note
Paulla Upjohn, a Seattle native, is the daughter of Ben and Florence Paris. Her parents married in 1916, and Ben Paris was a well-known Seattleite whose sporting good store became a Seattle landmark. Paula Paris Upjohn is married to Frank Upjohn, and the couple has lived in the same Medina waterfront home since 1952.
Content Description
The collection consists of scrapbook pages, clippings, correspondence, brochures, reports, photographs and memorabilia relating to the Hospitality Committee activities, and the fair in general. It includes a 34 page report on the creation and achievements of the Hospitality Committee, and a detailed list and summary of the recreational activities of visiting performers. Upjohn’s personal calendar includes her handwritten notes.
Historical Background
The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, or Century 21 Exposition, opened on April 21, 1962 and closed six months later on October 31. The fair offered a wide range of exhibits, including science, commerce, industry, fine arts and government. There were also popular attractions like the “Gayway” amusement park, and live vaudeville performances on “Show Street” and other newly constructed fair venues.
The World’s Fair had a 15-20 million dollar entertainment budget, at the time the largest amount ever spent for a performing arts program within a six month period. Howard Shaw, the Performing Arts Director, signed dozens of celebrities, leading performers and diverse groups from around the world to be staged in the new Seattle Opera House, the arena, a playhouse and stadium.
The history of the fair Hospitality Committee began in the fall of 1961, when Madeline Sayers was asked by Ewen Dingwall, a Century 21 manager, to serve as the Chairman of the Hospitality Committee for the Performing Arts. By January 1962, a twelve member core group of women was formed, including Paulla Upjohn, who became the chair of the Welcome Committee. The fair management eventually provided an office for the Hospitality Committee in the Opera House, but all the Committee’s activities were considered a volunteer community service. For example, Paulla Upjohn and the other members entertained performers in their own homes, organizing and hosting large theme parties, picnics, cruises, tours and other area visits.
Paulla Upjohn’s Welcome Committee handled the arrival of visiting performers, arranging for caravans of drivers, organizing greeting ceremonies, gifts, flowers, airport and depot transportation and accommodations. Upjohn and her volunteer drivers were on constant call for six months, donating their time and often entertaining lavishly. The opportunity to serve the Seattle community in such a visible and prestigious capacity was considered an honor. The city tours of upscale neighborhoods, local sights, home visits and entertainments were also a way to showcase the sophistication and prosperity of Seattle to the visiting VIPs.
Use of the Collection
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
Paulla Upjohn Collection on the Seattle World's Fair Hospitality Committee, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
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Description: 2002.28.1: Seattle World’s Fair Civic Appreciation Ceremony program bookletDates: 1962 April 19Container: Folder 1
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Description: 2002.28.2: Paulla Upjohn’s signed season ticket to the fairDates: 1962Container: Folder 1
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Description: 2002.28.3: “Seattle Worlds’ Fair Background Information”
79 page illustrated booklet outlining details of the fair development and attractions, created by the Fair's Public Relations Department.
Dates: 1962Container: Folder 2 -
Description: 2002.28.4: "Adventure in Hospitality Land," the Hospitality Committee for the Performing Arts Summary Report
34 page report, describing the development, purpose and achievements of the committee. Includes a list of visiting performers and details of activities during their visits.
Dates: 1962 October 18Container: Folder 3 -
Description: 2002.28.5: Hospitality Committee scrapbook
Scrapbook pages of newspaper clippings and photographs of Committee members; compiled background information and bios on performers and groups; Upjohn’s handwritten log and timetable; general committee correspondence.
Dates: 1962Container: Folder 4 -
Description: 2002.28.6: Ticket to Opening Night event, “Night in Paradise”Dates: 1962 April 21Container: Folder 5
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Description: 2002.28.7: Ticket to the Cinerama 360 premier of “Journey to the Stars”Dates: 1962Container: Folder 5
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Description: 2002.28.8: Scrapbook pages with newspaper clippings about the S.S. Yarmouth, the World’s Fair cruise shipDates: 1962Container: Folder 6
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Description: 2002.28.9: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings and correspondenceDates: 1962 AprilContainer: Folder 7
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Description: 2002.28.10: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings.Dates: 1962 MayContainer: Folder 8
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Description: 2002.28.11: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clipping, correspondence and photographs
Includes one photograph of Upjohn greeting boxers from Thailand at plane; one photograph of Upjohn with Roy Rogers' children.
Dates: 1962 JuneContainer: Folder 9 -
Description: 2002.28.12: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippings and photograph
Includes a promotional photograph of Elaine May and Mike Nichols
Dates: 1962 JulyContainer: Folder 10 -
Description: 2002.28.13: Upjohn’s personal calendar scrapbook, including newspaper clippingsDates: 1962 AugustContainer: Folder 11
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Description: 2002.28.14: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippingsDates: 1962 SeptemberContainer: Folder 12
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Description: 2002.28.15: Upjohn’s personal calendar and scrapbook, including newspaper clippingsDates: 1962 OctoberContainer: Folder 13
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Description: 2002.28.16: Correspondence to Upjohn from Harold Shaw, Director of Performing Arts, and Madeline Sayers, Hospitality Committee Chairman.Dates: 1962Container: Folder 14
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Committees--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Exhibitions--Washington (State)--Seattle
Corporate Names
- Century 21 Exposition (1962 : Seattle, Wash.)
