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Donald Isle Foster collection on the Century 21 Exposition, 1961-1963

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Foster, Donald Isle, 1925-
Title
Donald Isle Foster collection on the Century 21 Exposition
Dates
1961-1963 (inclusive)
Quantity
7 boxes, (3.54 cubic feet)
8 reels of film
Collection Number
1963.3119 (accession)
Summary
Materials about the Century 21 Exposition (1962 Seattle World’s Fair) collected by Donald Isle Foster, Director of Exhibits
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.
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Biographical Note

Donald Isle Foster was born in Seattle in 1925, and his family had a long and influential connection with the Pacific Northwest. He is the great-grandson of Oregon Trail emigrants, and the son of Seattle physician Harry Foster and his wife Vera Isle, who was also from a pioneering family. Donald Foster’s grandfather donated prime real estate along Lake Washington to the city of Seattle, which was named Foster Island in his honor.

During World War II, Donald Foster attended Queen Anne High School and later earned an MBA at Stanford University. Shortly after graduation, he was hired by the Seattle department store Frederick & Nelson. When planning began for the Century 21 Exposition, Foster accepted an on-loan assignment with the fair organization to help solicit participation from large eastern corporations. As the fair opening approached in April 1962, Foster took on the full-time position of Director of Exhibits when Alan Beech suddenly resigned. After the fair, Foster did not return to Frederick & Nelson but worked for the Seattle Center organization as it transitioned to a permanent civic center. He served briefly as the interim Executive Director of both the Seattle Center organization (1963) and the Seattle Repertory Theater (1964). Shortly after, Foster took a position with the Ford Foundation as Director of Humanities and the Arts. At the same time, he served on the Seattle Symphony Board, the Seattle Repertory Theatre Board, and the Seattle Art Museum guiding committee.

In 1969, Foster purchased the Richard White Gallery in Pioneer Square, and renamed it Foster/White Gallery. He resigned from the Ford Foundation, and became an influential player in the Seattle art scene for the next 30 years. As a founder of the 1970s advocacy group Friends of the Crafts, Foster encouraged artists working in traditional materials, especially glass. Dale Chihuly’s first Seattle show was held at the Foster/White Gallery in 1977. In December 2002, Foster retired and sold the art gallery, which still retains its original name.

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Content Description

The collection consists of a variety of published materials, media, photographs, film and other records that document the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition.) The items were acquired by Donald Foster while he served as Director of Exhibits at the Fair. The materials give historical context on fair development, exhibits, entertainment and activities.

Mounted color photographs give detailed views of the fairgrounds and the interiors of exhibits. An extensive collection of theatrical programs and tickets document events and performances staged during the fair. Externally published items include tourist maps, magazine and newspaper articles, pamphlets, brochures and souvenirs. A collection of color and black and white 16 mm films (some with accompanying film scripts) were produced by Forde Motion Picture Productions to promote the Fair and document a variety of events and activities.

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Historical Background

The Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair) was held from April 21-October 21, 1962. Nearly 10 million tickets were sold, making the fair a financial success and giving Seattle international recognition. Years of planning, building and preparation went into the fair, and it left behind a permanent legacy of public buildings and landmarks at the site now known as the Seattle Center.

The main theme of the fair was science, and the organizers actively sought out Fortune 500 companies to develop exhibits to showcase their commercial products and also give visitors a glimpse of future technology. In the months leading up to the fair, the Exhibits Department sent a team of “development agents” across the country with a well-organized sales pitch. Most of the large eastern companies, as well as the local Boeing Company, had no initial interest in participating, but they were soon convinced the fair would be high-quality experience with an exciting futuristic theme.

Ford Motor Company was one of the first corporate sponsors to commit to the fair, and others followed. Hundreds of complex exhibits were soon under development. Ford’s “An Adventure in Outer Space” was one of the most popular fair attractions, and Boeing’s “Spaceaerium” was also a hit. The “World of Commerce and Industry” had exhibits ranging from furniture companies to the Encyclopedia Britannica, all housed in a massive building that spread for 500 feet along Broad Street. The Forest Products Pavilion was surrounded by a grove of trees and included an all-wood theater. Standard Oil of California celebrated the fact that the first filling station opened in Seattle in 1907. The Bell Telephone exhibit featured a display of direct long-distance dialing, and a film called “Century 21 Calling…” The American Library Association displayed a “Library of the Future” exhibit, centered on a Univac computer.

As the opening approached, some organizers felt that more than just science was needed to attract large numbers of visitors, and the adult entertainment “Show Street” concept was expanded. Attractions included a Vegas-style floor show, an adult’s only puppet show, and (briefly) a nude show called “Girls of the Galaxy.” A $15 million dollar entertainment program ranged from boxing and folk dancing to classic ballet and opera. Dozens of theatrical and musical productions were staged at the new Opera House and Playhouse. Internationally famous performers included Isaac Stern, Hal Holbrook, Victor Borge, Lawrence Welk and Ella Fitzgerald. Civic promoters and fair boosters canvassed the country to promote the fair, and images and stories appeared on films, television, magazines and newspapers. Soon thousands of people were planning family vacations and trips to Seattle to attend the Century 21 Exposition.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in MOHAI's online collections.

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

Donald Isle Foster Collection on the Century 21 Exposition, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in seven series:

  • Photographs, drawings and posters
  • Programs and schedules
  • Souvenirs
  • Publicity
  • Administrative papers
  • Ephemera
  • Films and film scripts

Location of Collection

2a.3.4-5

Location of Collection

5a.4.6-7 (films)

Location of Collection

1a.3.7 (oversize materials)

Location of Collection

Map drawer VI.a.8 (posters)

Acquisition Information

Gift of Seattle Center via Donald Foster; received in 1963.

Separated Materials

These materials are part of a donation that also included a number of artifacts. These artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections Department.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

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

Geographical Names

  • United States–Washington (State)–Seattle

Form or Genre Terms

  • Ephemera
  • Photographic prints
  • Souvenirs
  • Motion pictures

Finding aid prepared by Sue Terrible
2010

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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