The Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition of Seattle was a world's fair held in Seattle in 1909. This unique trade fair opened on June 1, 1909 and closed on October 16, 1909. The major event was hosted in the University of Washington campus. The mission of this trade fair was to proudly proclaim to the whole world the newest developments of Seattle city. Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle was a huge success as over 3 million people from all over the world participated in it. The inauguration of the fair was attended by around 80,000 people. On the closing day 3,700,000 people attended. On the closing day over 3,70,000 people revisited the fair.
The organizers had originally planned this fair in 1907 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush. Finally they postponed it to 1909, as James Town Exposition was being held that year. Jamestown Exposition was another very popular fair, which was held at Sewell's Point near Norfolk Virginia. Holding two trade fairs in the same year would reduce the importance of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
|
The venue of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition was the gigantic campus of The University of Washington. This area was undeveloped at that point of time. Buildings and the layout of this trade fair was funded by the State Legislature. The Agriculture Building, the Manufacturing Building, The Hawaii Building and the Arctic Circle were the different buildings constructed for this Fair. The U.S Government Building enjoyed a central location in the Fair and featured a scene of a marine hospital at its entrance. The masked wax figures, which were life size bewildered the visitors. Though most of the buildings and construction were renovated two of the many buildings are still in use. The buildings were constructed in such a way so that the University could use this buildings even after the fair.
The postal department of the United States issued a 2 cent postage stamp for the exposition. The stamps were sold at the show by the companies as a promotion. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of Seattle brought back the glory and the recognition that the city enjoyed during the days of Gold rush.
|
