Seattle Center Explained

Seattle Center is an entertainment, education, tourism and performing arts center located in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States. Constructed for the 1962 World's Fair, Seattle Center's landmark feature is the Space Needle, an official city landmark and globally recognized symbol of Seattle's skyline. Other notable attractions include the Pacific Science Center, Climate Pledge Arena, and Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), as well as McCaw Hall, which hosts both the Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet. The Seattle Center Monorail provides regular public transit service between Seattle Center and Westlake Center in Downtown Seattle, and is itself considered a tourist attraction.

History

In 1886, Seattle founder David Denny donated the tract of land that would eventually host Seattle Center, stipulating that it be of "public use forever". Plans for the land took shape in 1928, when mayor Bertha Knight Landes dedicated the newly-constructed arena and auditorium on the site as the Civic Center complex. In 1958, the Civic Auditorium was chosen as the future location of the World's Fair, and demolition work began following a countdown ceremony initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 1961, Japanese architects Hideki Shimizu and Kazuyuki Matsushita were chosen to design the International Fountain, and a contract with Alweg Rapid Transit Systems was signed for the construction of the monorail. On April 21, 1962, President John F. Kennedy officially opened the World's Fair; the six-month event was attended by, among others, astronaut John Glenn, politician Robert F. Kennedy, and singer Elvis Presley, who arrived in September 1962 to shoot the film It Happened at the World's Fair. Following the conclusion of the event, ownership of the complex was returned to the City of Seattle, which has since maintained it as a hub for the city's performing arts and sporting events.[1]

Attractions

Several buildings and pieces of artwork at Seattle Center have Japanese influences. These include the Pacific Science Center, designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki,[2] the "Seattle Mural" by artist Paul Horiuchi, and the Kobe Bell, a gift to Seattle from its sister city of Kobe, Japan.[3]

Landmarks

Museums

Performing arts

Venues

Athletics

Festivals

Seattle Center hosts many cultural, music and arts festivals. Major attractions include:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History . 2023-12-02 . www.seattlecenter.com . en.
  2. Web site: Berger . Knute . Remembering the Seattle architect who built the World Trade Center Crosscut . 2023-12-02 . crosscut.com . en.
  3. Web site: Kobe Bell . 2023-12-02 . seattlearts.emuseum.com . en.
  4. http://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/s.htm Landmarks Alphabetical Listing for S
  5. http://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/k.htm Landmarks Alphabetical Listing for K
  6. http://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/h.htm Landmarks Alphabetical Listing for H
  7. http://seattlecenter.com/mediainfo/press.aspx?id=188 Press Release
  8. http://www.seattlecenter.com/locations/detail.aspx?id=41 Seattle Center Armory
  9. https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/imax/ IMAX Theater