The United States Pavilion, Expo '74 — Attraction in Spokane

An modern historic place: Expo '74 was the first environmentally themed world's fair. It was held in the northwest United States in Spokane, Washington, and ran for six months, from May 4 to November 3, 1974. The heart of the fair park grounds was located on Canada Island, Havermale Island, and the adjacent south bank of the Spokane River in the center of the city. Expo '74 distanced itself from the more techno-centric world's fairs of the 1960s. The environmental theme was promoted in several high-profile events, such as a symposium on United Nations World Environment Day (June 5) attended by more than 1,200 people including many international representatives, and ECAFE Day for the United Nations Economic Council for Asia and the Far East (June 14) that discussed regional environment issues. After considering several other slogans, such as "How Man Can Live, Work and Play in Harmony With His Environment", Expo '74 settled on "Celebrating Tomorrow's Fresh New Environment." Uncertainty about the ability of a city the modest size of Spokane to create a successful event caused many nations and corporations to hesitate about making major investments in the fair. Kodak, General Motors, and Ford hosted pavilions at this fair but they were scaled down in size and presence compared to the exhibits constructed for the New York Worlds Fair ten years earlier.

President Richard M. Nixon presided over the fair's opening ceremony,5 where he addressed a crowd of some 85,000, including a few hecklers who shouted "Jail to the Chief!" Three months later, Nixon resigned due to the Watergate Scandal.

One piece of technology that made its debut at Expo '74 was the IMAX movie theater. The original theater, built inside of the United States Pavilion, had a screen that measured 90 ft × 65 ft (27 m × 20 m), completely covering the front wall of the pavilion. It was the largest indoor movie screen at the time and had bigger dimension than a typical drive-in movie screen. 'The quote, "The Earth does not belong to Man, Man belongs to the Earth" (attributed to Chief Seattle) was written in large letters on the outside wall. Inside the pavilion, visitors watched "Man Belongs to the Earth," a 23-minute IMAX film made for Expo by Paramount. Scenes of U.S. splendor led into environmental problems including air pollution in Denver. The film was so realistic—especially during a sequence flying through the Grand Canyon—that motion sickness bags had to be made available.'[8]

The fair also featured the interactive movie system...

The United States Pavilion at Expo '74 in Spokane, Washington, was a remarkable showcase of American innovation and culture, leaving a lasting impression on visitors. Its design featured a striking combination of modern architecture and thematic displays that highlighted the nation's advancements in technology, industry, and culture. The pavilion's centerpiece was an impressive exhibit on American progress, with interactive displays and multimedia presentations that engaged visitors and offered insights into the country's achievements. The pavilion also emphasized themes of environmental consciousness and sustainability, reflecting the growing global awareness of ecological issues during the 1970s. Visitors appreciated the pavilion's welcoming atmosphere, informative content, and the opportunity to learn about the diverse aspects of American life. The thoughtful integration of art, technology, and storytelling created an immersive experience that celebrated the United States' contributions to the world stage. Overall, the U.S. Pavilion at Expo '74 was a significant cultural and educational landmark, successfully capturing the spirit of American innovation and its commitment to progress, and it remains a memorable part of Spokane's history of...

We visited this venue for the Rebelution concert and were not disappointed. The whole experience was fantastic! It felt like we were watching a concert in the middle of an art installation. The Spokane River is the beautiful backdrop. We even got an awesome sunset as a bonus. Whoever designed the space and stage deserves a lot of credit. It is now one of my favorite venues. I can't wait to see more concerts here. Only negative was the cost of alcoholic beverages. $14 was the cost per beer. Yikes! Other than that great job Spokane!...