This year Seattle is celebrating the centennial of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE), a world’s fair that showcased the resources of the region and celebrated the development resulting from the 1897 Yukon Gold Rush. The fair was held on the University of Washington campus, and while only three original buildings from AYP remain – Architecture Hall, Cunningham Hall and the Engineering Annex – much of the landscape designed by Richard Charles Olmstead is still recognizable.
From April to May volunteers from the Friends of Seattle’s Olmstead Parks will be giving tours that highlight Olmstead’s vision to create a campus in which "the magnificent views...will...be by far the greatest features...” Anyone who has sat at Drummheller fountain on a clear, sunny day and taken in the view of Mount Rainer would agree. It’s magnificent!The tours will take place on the last Saturday of every month and start at 10 am at the Burke Museum. The 90 minute tours are free, but registration is required. For more information check out the Web site for Friends of Seattle’s Olmstead Parks.
