Many current residents of and visitors to San Francisco go to the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District of San Francisco to marvel at the architecture and general beauty of the area. Did you know that the Palace of Fine Arts dome is one of the few remaining buildings to remind us of the great Pan Pacific International Exhibition and World’s Fair held at that site back in 1915? Originally intended to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal, the Exhibition took on new meaning after the April 18th, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. In addition to the Panama Canal celebration, the Exposition became a showcase to the world that San Francisco had recovered from the devastation of the Earthquake and was once again a world-class city. Among the many exhibits at the Exposition, Contra Costa County was one of the local areas that were showcased to the crowds that year.

Beginning on July 18th, a new exhibit will be open at the History Center celebrating 100 years since the Pan Pacific International Exposition was held in San Francisco. Photos, artifacts and other memorabilia from the original Exposition as well as a few special artifacts celebrating this year’s centennial will be shown. Also, a video documentary showing pictures of the actual Exhibition will be shown.