‘70S Exhibit Features Expo Memorabilia

Fri., Aug. 6, 1999

Nina Culver Correspondent

Nostalgia has been rampant in Spokane this year as city residents mark the 25th anniversary of Expo ‘74. For another dose of memories, head to the current Nordstrom store at 724 W. Main for a retrospective exhibit of Expo memorabilia and ‘70s fashion.

The exhibit will be on display in the store’s first-floor windows and in four museum cases inside. Items on display include personal photos, letters and newspaper clippings from The Spokesman-Review. There’s also an Expo ‘74 uniform, a wedding dress and shoes purchased at Nordstrom in 1974 and other clothing.

Among the collection of Expo ‘74 merchandise is a photo of “Red Rover,” a 1928 vintage fire engine that traveled the country in advance of the event to invite people to come to Spokane. Two local men and five Spokane Boy Scouts made the trip from New York to Spokane. The fire engine’s top speed was 29 miles per hour and it got 3 miles to the gallon. The 3,000 mile trip took 16 days.

Items were donated to the exhibit by long-time Spokane residents and Nordstrom employees.

Eight local artists have also created abstract contemporary works reminiscent of ‘70s canvas art work. The art was created by Mary Johnson, Raynell Cook, Damon Bauer, Wade Waters, Denise Bowles, Judy Patterson, PJay McConnell, and Ildiko Kalapacs.

All art is available for purchase by silent auction. The auction will be coordinated by Art for Design, 328-8384. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Children’s Museum of Spokane.

The exhibit opens Friday at 9:30 a.m., preceded by comments by the store manager at 9 Visitors also may tour the new Nordstrom building at 10.

The exhibit will remain on display through Sept. 17.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.