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Panama Pacific World Exposition of 1915
1915 Bronze Medal 28mm (8.93 grams)
PANAMA-PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION SAN FRANCISCO MEDAL OF AWARD MCMXV, Tower of Jewels center within wreath.
PANAMA CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. 1915 EASTSIDE BEER GOLD MEDAL WINNER EXCELLENCE OF PRODUCT AT CALIFORNIA’S GREAT WORLD FAIRS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN DIEGO, Text encircling inscription.
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 The Panama-Pacific International Exposition was a world’s fair held in San Francisco, California, U.S., from February 20 to December 4, 1915. Its stated purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, but it was widely seen in the city as an opportunity to showcase its recovery from the 1906 earthquake. The fair was constructed on a 636 acre (1 sq. mi., 2.6 km2) site along the northern shore, between the Presidio and Fort Mason, now known as the Marina District.
Exhibits
Among the exhibits at the Exposition was the C. P. Huntington, the first steam locomotive purchased by Southern Pacific Railroad; the locomotive then went on static display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. A telephone line was also established to New York City so people across the continent could hear the Pacific Ocean. The Liberty Bell traveled by train on a nationwide tour from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend the exposition.
The 1915 American Grand Prize and Vanderbilt Cup auto races were held February 27 and March 6 on a 3.84-mile (6.18 km) circuit set up around the Exposition grounds. The Smithsonian Institution also had an exhibition at the Exposition.
Yumian (鱼面), meaning fish-noodle in Chinese, is a noodle made with flour and fish from the Fu River in Yunmeng, China. Yunmeng Yumian was awarded silver medal of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
Indigenous Representation
Indian culture was a topic of interest during the nine-month-long exposition with multiple attractions dedicated to Indian life. The most popular attraction at the exposition that depicted Indian life is James Earle Fraser’s statue, The End of the Trail. Fraser’s statue, which showed a Native American man slumped over on a horse, reflected the American idea at the time, that the Native American race was doomed for extinction. The exposition not only celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal, but also advances made by the American people, part of which were the conquests of indigenous people by Americans as well as Europeans. These celebrations over the Native community, can be seen through artworks such as The End of the Trail, and The Pioneeror tributes to Francisco Pizarro and Hernán Cortés. In comparison to previous world fairs, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition showcased Indians more as nobles rather than savage people, but who were still inevitably destined to become extinct. These ideas were presented in plays, known as pageants, where Native Americans played small roles such as in “Catalonian dragoons, muleteers, and a tribe of Carmel Indians.” While the demise of Native American people was a rhetoric created by fair organizers,scholars have argued that in reality, the Native persona was very present and did not reflect the idea that it was a disappearing civilization. Indians were in fact part of the fair, but attended as visitors, performers, and workers. More recently, scholars have focused on Native representation in San Francisco’s 1915 rival world fair, San Diego’s 1915 Panama-California Exposition that showed Indian life in a more anthropological light versus this American ideal.
Women and gender roles
During the Panama-Pacific International Exposition women were in charge of their own board known as the Woman’s Board of San Francisco’s Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The board, also called the Boards of Lady Managers, allowed women to take part in organizing different aspects of the fair and more importantly gave them the opportunity to have a campaigning platform for discussing women’s rights and social issues. It was commonly argued that the fair celebrated male dominance over women by not providing a building for women. Also, men and women were depicted differently in artworks advertising the exposition. White women, specifically were presented as caretakers while men as strong and powerful saviors such as, in the poster “13thLabor of Hercules.” At the time, there was an idea of a “New Woman” who was more progressive and advance intellectually as well as sexually. This idea of a “New Woman” related to the overarching theme of the fair, modernity and progress. In efforts to promote the fair and safety of the city, fair organizers used the “New Woman” as an advertising tactic and proof that San Francisco was an evolving and safe environment for tourists. During the fair, women could be seen posing with agriculture from around the state in celebration of California’s produce. All the women were young-beautiful white women who were often the highlight of many newspaper articles and events. This use of women, presented the idea that they were only useful for their beauty but failed to appreciate their intellectual capacity and physical abilities. One of the most memorable achievements of the Women’s Board was the installment of statue that celebrated women, specifically mothers known as the Pioneer Mother.
Architecture
The centerpiece was the Tower of Jewels, which rose to 435 feet and was covered with over 100,000 cut glass Novagems. The 3⁄4 to 2 inch colored “gems” sparkled in sunlight throughout the day and were illuminated by over 50 powerful electrical searchlights at night.
In front of the Tower, the Fountain of Energy flowed at the center of the South Gardens, flanked by the Palace of Horticulture on the west and the Festival Hall to the east. The arch of the Tower served as the gateway to the Court of the Universe, leading to the Court of the Four Seasons to the west and the Court of Abundance to the east. These courts formed the primary exhibit area for the fair, which included the Food Products Palace, the Education and Social Economy Palace, the Agriculture Palace, the Liberal Arts Palace, the Transportation Palace, the Manufacturers Palace, the Mines and Metallurgy Palace, and the Varied Industries Palace. The Machinery Palace, the largest hall, dominated the east end of the central court.
At the west end of central court group was the Palace of Fine Arts. Further west toward the bay down The Avenue of the Nations were national and states’ buildings, displaying customs and products unique to the area represented. At the opposite end of the Fair, near Fort Mason was “The Zone”, an avenue of popular amusements and concessions stands.
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