The Mechanics' Institute is thrilled to unveil a captivating new display from our Archives, showcasing recently donated ephemera from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE), San Francisco's celebrated world's fair. This remarkable addition to our collection, generously donated by historian and author Judith Robinson, offers a fascinating window into a pivotal moment in our city's history.
At the heart of the display are two extraordinary artifacts: attendance buttons for both the Opening Day, February 20th, 1915, and the Closing Day, December 4th, 1915. These buttons, tangible relics of a bygone era, serve as poignant reminders of the millions who flocked to San Francisco to witness the grandeur of the PPIE. Ms. Robinson’s foresight in preserving these items for posterity is deeply appreciated.
To complement these significant buttons, we’ve included a selection of PPIE grounds maps from our Archives, each telling its own story. One map, dated April 10th, 1912, is particularly noteworthy. It represents the plan submitted to the Board of Directors by the Architectural Commission and the Committee on Buildings and Grounds, offering a glimpse into the meticulous planning that went into the fair's layout. Two other maps, from 1915, provide a snapshot of the fairgrounds as they appeared during the exposition, allowing visitors to trace the footsteps of those who walked those same paths over a century ago. Adding to the historical context is a flyer from the National Park Service, detailing the significance of the 1915 World's Fair.
The display also features a beautiful color illustration from the Blue Book, capturing the fair's splendor and the Golden Gate before the iconic bridge was constructed. This visual elementhighlights the transformative impact of the PPIE on San Francisco, a city that rose from the ashes of the 1906 earthquake to host a world-class event.
We are immensely grateful to Judith Robinson for her generous donation, which allows us to share these historical treasures with our members and visitors. Ms. Robinson’s dedication to preserving history extends beyond this donation. She is the author of many texts including The Hearsts - An American Dynasty, a book that delves into the contributions of Phoebe Apperson Hearst and W.R. Hearst in securing San Francisco as the fair's location. We are eager to explore her work and learn more about their pivotal roles.
The Mechanics' Institute is committed to preserving and showcasing such valuable artifacts, ensuring that future generations can connect with the rich history of San Francisco. We invite everyone to visit our 3rd-floor display and immerse themselves in the captivating world of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This display allows us to share a piece of San Francisco's enduring legacy, and we are profoundly grateful to Ms. Robinson for entrusting these treasures to our care.
