The Lewis and Clark Centennial and American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair, shortened to The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, was the closest thing to a World’s Fair Oregon has ever had. It was built atop a stretch of marsh land known as Guild’s Lake as an elaborate complex of temporary buildings in 1905 in order to bring investors to the region and establish Portland as a dominant American cultural and economic outpost on the West Coast.

Over its four months of being open to the public, it brought some 1,588,000 tourists from around the world to see exhibits on the industrial and natural facets of the Pacific Northwest, and also brought the international world to the local visitors, featuring attractions and exhibits from 21 countries across the globe.

Plenty of those million plus visitors to the fair purchased and took home souvenirs from the expo, like this charming pillowcase. This pillowcase would have been sold as a kit, with the pattern printed on the fabric as to be a template for the home embroidery enthusiast to complete.

It depicts Lewis and Clark glimpsing the setting sun over the Pacific Ocean, being led by “Lady Columbia” an embodiment of the spirit of progress. This example has completed embroidery and would look lovely mounted in an archival frame.

SKU: 21V22520