The 1915 Panama- Pacific International Exposition
(World's Fair)
revised 12-2-15
The Panama Pacific Worlds Fair is celebrating its 100th year anniversary this year (2015).
Many Bay Area museums have staged temporary exhibits and events related to the fair this year.
Many Bay Area museums have staged temporary exhibits and events related to the fair this year.
Places to Go:
The National Park Service has published a 3 mile walking tour through the original exposition site.
Unfortunately, I am unable to find a digital copy of that tour
Unfortunately, I am unable to find a digital copy of that tour
After the Lights Went Out is another downloadable resource for going out and finding what remains from the fair.
Classroom Curriculum:
There are many parts of the fair that could be embedded into classroom curriculum.
For me, the PPIE is a snapshot of the early 20th century. It's shows both the achievements and biases of the time.
For me, the PPIE is a snapshot of the early 20th century. It's shows both the achievements and biases of the time.
Books, Maps, Websites, and Videos:
The National Park Service has done a great job organizing links on their page here.
I've added some of my favorites from that page to my list below.
I've added some of my favorites from that page to my list below.
The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has much of its collections posted on line.
There are prints, photos, maps, letters, diaries, newspaper articles, videos, sound recordings and more.
Collections can be searched by topic or by type.
For example, there's a video of Mabel and Fatty (movie stars of the time) touring the 1915 Fair.
Some collections also have companion resources for teachers.
The site should be pre-searched by adults for student use.
The Library of Congress has much of its collections posted on line.
There are prints, photos, maps, letters, diaries, newspaper articles, videos, sound recordings and more.
Collections can be searched by topic or by type.
For example, there's a video of Mabel and Fatty (movie stars of the time) touring the 1915 Fair.
Some collections also have companion resources for teachers.
The site should be pre-searched by adults for student use.
There is a PPIE100 site created by the CA Historical Society.
The history page is extensive but not written at a elementary reading level.
The video posted brings the event to life in a newsreel format.
If using in the classroom, the students might appreciate the novelty of the airplane (around 8:00)
but I would pause around 11:13 and skip to the Palace of Fine Arts at 12:00.
"Stella" is a true pin up girl worth the dime you'd pay to see her.
I imagine students will get a kick seeing the Baby parade around 19:30.
The history page is extensive but not written at a elementary reading level.
The video posted brings the event to life in a newsreel format.
If using in the classroom, the students might appreciate the novelty of the airplane (around 8:00)
but I would pause around 11:13 and skip to the Palace of Fine Arts at 12:00.
"Stella" is a true pin up girl worth the dime you'd pay to see her.
I imagine students will get a kick seeing the Baby parade around 19:30.
Historypin has posted a map made of a collection of photographs from the 1915 era.
San Francisco Public Library has also posted a virtual map. By clicking on a location, a historic photo will pop up.
San Francisco Public Library has also posted a virtual map. By clicking on a location, a historic photo will pop up.
San Francisco Memories also has a comprehensive site, with many artifacts.
They also have a "Life in 1915" section which is fascinating.
They also have a "Life in 1915" section which is fascinating.
The National Park Service also has many of their own digital resources on the fair.
There's a great overview of the exposition here with many links to specific highlights.
This brochure highlights the key themes of the event.
There's a great overview of the exposition here with many links to specific highlights.
This brochure highlights the key themes of the event.
For adults, KQED's Forum program ran a show about the exposition. You can listen to it here.